We were drawn against Sutton United in the first round of the Surrey Senior Cup and we knew we would be a good test for our team.  Sutton United fielded most of their Academy side and we made a few changes for our recent home loss to Knaphill.  Most notable of our changes was our Manager, Steve Springett playing in the holding role in  midfield something he told us after that he had not played in for at least 40 years!!! – only joking Steve.

A healthy crowd of over 140 turned up to watch the game on a cold night at the Reg Madgwick stadium in Cobham and we had our first sight of the “Zac Powell’ appreciation society, unfortunately Zac was injured and was unable to turn out, but this did not dampen the groups enthusiasm for their hero throughout the evening.

The first half was good to watch with both teams having chances and the Sutton attack finding our goalkeeper and Captain Harvey Keogh in fine form; he made a string of great saves.  The pace of George Owusu for the home side was causing all sorts of problems for the Sutton rearguard.  The half ended 0-0.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first half with both teams playing well and creating the odd chance or two.  In the 60 minute, Epsom were awarded a penalty which Luke Miller took and it was well saved by the Sutton keeper low down to his left.  From the penalty the ball was turned away for a corner which our manager Steve took, as the ball swung in from the corner it was headed home at the far post by Ethan Nelson-Roberts from around 12 inches!!! We were then put under increasing pressure from our visitors with our attacks becoming few and far between, it was no surprise that Sutton equalised as the game reached its closing stages and then we fell behind 8 minutes later to Sutton’s winning goal.  The game then began to fizzle out and we did not create too much more in the way of chances.

What can we take from the game? We played well in parts and it gave us a chance to see our new centre back signing, Louis Elsom from the Aldershot U19’s who acquitted himself well when he came on in the second half.  We now move onto a local visit to play Tooting and Mitcham next Saturday which again looks like a good test for our team as we attempt to rise from our current position in the table.