Epsom & Ewell FC played a behind-closed-doors inter-team game on Saturday. The conditions were in stark contrast to the previous week’s glorious sunshine, as the match kicked off in a torrential downpour. Fortunately, the weather gradually improved as the game progressed.
The Blues, managed by Conor Redmond, faced the Yellows, managed by Chris Farnan. Both sides featured a mix of first-team players, trialists, and five U18s from Epsom & Ewell Colts, who were invited to get a taste of the senior matchday environment and understand the team’s Saturday preparations.
The Yellows started brightly and were ahead within four minutes, pressing the Blues’ defence into a mistake. Trialist No. 10 latched onto a loose ball and fired it past Faebian to make it 1–0. In the 19th minute, they nearly doubled their lead following a good move that found another trialist, No. 15, but he blazed his shot over the bar.
First-team regular Jason Bloor went close for the Blues after a scramble in the box, but his shot was blocked on the goal line—more by luck than design, as the defender seemed unaware of the ball hitting him.
The game then settled a bit, with the Blues beginning to enjoy more possession and look more composed. However, another turnover in midfield left their right-back out of position, and a fine ball released No. 15 down the flank. Driving into the box, he finished from a tight angle at the six-yard line, the ball going in off the inside of the far post.
The Blues responded well, and in the 38th minute a sweeping move ended with the ball at Luke Miller’s feet. He burst into the box and calmly slotted past Ben Grummitt in the Yellow goal.
Half-Time: Blues 1–2 Yellows
As is typical in these matches, the second half saw a flurry of substitutions, including significant game time for the five Colts. It took a while for the match to regain the quality of the first half, but the Yellows continued to look more dangerous. In the 59th minute, trialist No. 10 grabbed his second of the match with a powerful strike from just inside the area.
That goal seemed to spark the Blues into life. A minute later, Luke Miller netted his second, tapping in at the near post after a good run and cross from the tall trialist No. 10.
The Blues grew in confidence and began to dominate possession, putting sustained pressure on the Yellows’ defence. Their efforts paid off in the 80th minute when they drew level through a well-taken finish into the top left corner, giving Ben no chance.
The match continued to ebb and flow, but neither side created any further clear-cut chances, and it ended honours even at 3–3.
After the game, we spoke with Tom Collins and club captain Adam Green. Both expressed satisfaction with the team’s pre-season so far—recording a win, a draw, and a defeat against Cray Valley PM. They were also full of praise for the Colts’ performance and hope to see one or more of them feature during the season.
We now look ahead to Friday night as we kick off our league campaign at home to Guildford City—our opening-day opponents last season. Kick-off is at 7.45pm at Cobham. (25th July).
We also have a friendly against Cove on Saturday afternoon, kick-off 2pm at Epsom & Ewell High School. (26th July).
Looking further ahead, we travel to Barlows Park next Tuesday (28th July) to face Tadley Calleva in our first away game, kick-off 7.45pm. Then, on Saturday 2nd August, we begin our FA Cup campaign with an away tie at Larkfield & New Hythe, kick-off 3pm.
As always, we’d love to see as many of you as possible supporting the team.
