Epsom & Ewell started brightly and enjoyed one of their best first-half performances of the season. From the outset, the Salts played attacking football on the front foot. Despite the strong start, they nearly went behind early on when a cross from the right was met by a powerful header just outside the six-yard box, which crashed against the underside of the bar. After a frantic scramble, the Salts managed to clear the danger.

Niall Stillwell almost opened the scoring with a fine shot that the Knaphill keeper did well to tip around the post. From the resulting corner, Stillwell managed to get his head to the ball but couldn’t quite direct it on target.

Epsom & Ewell eventually took the lead in the 18th minute when Stillwell delivered a well-placed ball into the box. Striker Carl Oblitey directed it goalwards, but it struck the hand of Knaphill’s No. 3, Jamie Glover. The referee awarded a penalty, and skipper Adam Green stepped up to confidently fire the ball home, making it 1-0 to the Salts.

After the goal, the Salts continued to dominate. Knaphill’s goalkeeper was called into action again to deny Ali Fofana with a good save. Soon after, Fofana had another chance following a brilliant pass from Oblitey, but instead of striking first time, he took an extra touch and couldn’t get his shot away.

Epsom & Ewell maintained their pressure but were unable to extend their lead before the break. The score remained 1-0 at half-time.

The second half was more about Knaphill, and three minutes after the restart, the Salts were forced into an early substitution. Having taken several knocks in the first half, an injured player was replaced by Ethan Nelson-Roberts. Soon after, Luke Miller broke into the box and unleashed a shot that went narrowly wide.

In the 55th minute, Knaphill equalised through Dale Burnham. Ten minutes later, Ali Fofana was replaced by George Owusu. Shortly before that, in the 60th minute, Callum Wilson received a yellow card for a foul.

In the 70th minute, Ethan Brazier came on for Niall Stillwell. Moments later, goalkeeper Kevin Kardell was flattened by a Knaphill forward in a nasty challenge. Despite the heavy challenge, Kardell produced a superb save minutes later, tipping the ball around the post.

Knaphill took the lead in the 75th minute when Sid Cannon found the back of the net. In response, the Salts made further changes, bringing on Conrad Essilfie-Conduah for Craig Dundas and Campbell Scott for the injured Callum Wilson.

Epsom & Ewell continued to push forward in search of an equaliser, but despite their efforts, they were unable to find a way back into the game.