First Team
Combined Counties Premier South Sat 14 September Imperial Sports Ground
Tooting & Mitcham United
0
Epsom & Ewell
  • Fofahan (47')
  • Oblitey (57')
2
0-2

Yes, that’s right—our third consecutive victory, and third clean sheet, was secured at Imperial Fields, the home of Tooting and Mitcham Football Club, on Saturday, 14th September. It was a thoroughly deserved win, and the 2-0 scoreline could easily have been more emphatic with a bit more luck in front of goal.

It was a pleasure to catch up with Jamie ‘Busy’ Byatt and Alex Penfold, both instrumental in our promotion from Step 6 to Step 5 in 2023. They are now managing at Tooting, with Jamie as the manager and Alex as his assistant.

We took to the field with one change in defence: the absent Callum Wilson was replaced by Stefan Aiwone. A respectable crowd of 177 turned up to watch the game.

The first half was played largely in Tooting’s half, and but for a couple of outstanding saves from their goalkeeper, we would have taken the lead. The half ended 0-0.

The deadlock didn’t last long in the second half. Ali Fofahan struck a sensational shot from the edge of the penalty area, which flew into the net, leaving the Tooting goalkeeper with no chance. It was a perfectly executed strike that surprised everyone in the ground, but it was no more than we deserved. Epsom 1-0 up.

Shortly after, we doubled our lead. Carl Oblitey was on hand to head home following some chaotic ‘ping-pong football’ after Tooting failed to clear a corner. Again, it was nothing less than we deserved. Despite further chances to extend our lead, we were unable to add to the scoreline, but the match ended in a solid 2-0 win.

This result moves us up to 14th in the table as we begin to look upwards rather than over our shoulders.

It was a fantastic victory, but we can’t rest on our laurels as we prepare to face high-flying Knaphill on Tuesday evening at King George’s Field, with a 7:45 pm kick-off. We’d love to see as many of you there as possible as we continue our climb up the table.

Photo Cr: Spencer Mitchell