We last played Larkfield & New Hythe in an FA Vase match in 2021, returning with a 3–2 victory that day — a result we very much hoped to repeat.

The management team probably wanted to stick with the same eleven from the excellent win in our first league game of the season. However, a few more injuries sustained during that match and in training during the week forced four changes. Stefan Aiwone and Callum Wilson came in for Toby Young and Antonios Nazareth, although both had featured as substitutes in the Guildford City game. Brendan Murphy-McVey returned from injury in place of Connor McShane, while Emmanuel Limpo made his debut, replacing Ali Fofahan.

Judging by their programme notes, Larkfield expected a tough game and, unsurprisingly, started on the front foot. They made a few changes early on, with their No. 7, Clark Woodcock, delivering some dangerous crosses from the right. Fortunately, their forwards couldn’t trouble Faebian Witter in our goal, with their efforts either going wide, sailing over the bar, or landing harmlessly in his hands.

Kionte Gillfillian-Waul was booked in the 16th minute for a foul — a decision that felt more influenced by Larkfield’s appeals than the referee’s initial judgement, given the delay in issuing the card. From the resulting free-kick, a good delivery found their No. 9, Matt Day, unmarked for a free header. He really should have hit the target but headed wide.

Shortly after, Limpo was fouled and Murphy-McVey’s resulting free-kick found Adam Green at the far post. It looked like Green tried to send the ball back across goal, but from a difficult angle, it flew high and wide. We then nearly handed Larkfield the lead when Luis Oliveira lost the ball on the halfway line. With the Salts pushing forward, we were suddenly outnumbered at the back. No. 10, Tyley Ibe, broke through on goal, but Aiwone applied enough pressure without fouling, and with Faebian rushing off his line, Ibe could only slide his shot just wide of the right-hand post.

In the 20th minute, Limpo was again on the receiving end of a poor challenge, but this time the referee kept his card in his pocket — much to the annoyance of manager Max Johnston, who voiced his frustration and was subsequently booked. From that free-kick we moved up to just outside the box and earned another. Green and McVey stood over it, but it was McVey who stepped up and curled a superb effort around the wall into the bottom corner. 24 minutes gone, and it was 1–0 to Epsom & Ewell — arguably against the run of play.

Larkfield’s No. 4, Antwon McKenzie, went into the book for a poor challenge on Adam in the 26th minute. A few minutes later, Kingsley Anokye was nearly played through, but their keeper came out well and guided the ball out for a goal kick.

We were starting to find our rhythm, and in the 32nd minute we won a corner. Although it was initially cleared by the defence, it fell to Luke Miller, whose shot flashed just past the right-hand post. It was difficult to say whether the keeper would have got to it had it been on target. However, this was a reminder to stay focused, as Woodcock soon delivered another pinpoint cross onto Day’s head — but the effort lacked power and bounced into Faebian’s gloves. Another chance wasted. Just four minutes later, an almost identical move saw Day’s header fly over the bar. Larkfield were really going to rue these missed opportunities.

On 42 minutes, after Luke was taken out on the halfway line, the resulting free-kick was floated into the box. After a bit of pinball, the ball fell to Miller, who played it out to Anokye. He attempted an audacious chip across the keeper, but Collins got a strong right hand to it, tipping it round the post for a corner.

In the first minute of added time, Larkfield again breached the midfield and a fine pass found McKenzie in space, but once more a combination of Stefan’s pressure and Faebian’s quick reactions led to a weak shot that went wide of the right-hand post. The final chance of the half fell to McVey in the 48th minute (45+3). His shot from just outside the box drifted harmlessly wide of the keeper’s right-hand post.

Half-time: Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers 0 – 1 Epsom & Ewell

Overall, Larkfield had more of the ball and created more chances but ultimately failed to test Faebian, while we had fewer opportunities but made Collins in the Larkfield goal earn his keep. He looked a little suspect on crosses and when clearing the ball — and that would prove to be his downfall.

As expected, the second half started like the first, with Larkfield again dominating possession but not really creating anything clear-cut. In the 51st minute, Niall Stillwell replaced Ethan Nelson-Roberts, who appeared to have a hamstring issue as he walked around the pitch.

In the 55th minute, as he tried to get into the game, Niall lost the ball on the halfway line, and as Larkfield pushed forward, Stefan again intercepted the pass and surged down our left. Unfortunately, he lost control of the ball, allowing The Larks to clear their lines.

A minute later, Brendan played a ball forward and was just inches away from putting Luke through on goal. The move resulted in a corner. The ball was played in and found its way to our left, where Green picked it up and drove into the box. His powerful shot forced Collins into another save low to his left, tipping it behind for another corner.

In the 60th minute, Larkfield made two changes, with No. 9 Day and No. 11 Somuyiwa coming off. No. 17 Mutombo came on, but I missed the second substitute, unfortunately.

In the 61st minute, The Salts went forward again, and Anokye was brought down just outside the box, in line with the six-yard line. Initially, the referee didn’t give the foul, but the linesman flagged. With everyone expecting a cross, McVey cleverly rolled the ball back to Miller on the edge of the box, but his shot was deflected wide for another corner.

The Salts were now beginning to cause real problems, particularly through Anokye, who continued to get into dangerous positions and trouble the Larkfield defence. The hosts continued to move the ball well but still failed to trouble Witter in our goal.

In the 63rd minute, Larkfield worked their way into the box. Stefan marshalled the attacker wide, and as he tried to cut across him, the player went down looking for a penalty. The referee waved it away. I have to say I’ve seen those given — and it would have been against the run of play at that point. The ball then fell to a Larkfield player just outside the box on our left, and his curling effort went just wide of Faebian’s right-hand post.

Brendan made way for Kallum Peart in the 64th minute. Kingsley then got his reward for a strong second-half performance in the 66th minute. Once again pressing the Larkfield defence, the ball made its way to their keeper, who scuffed his clearance straight to Anokye. He calmly took his time and slotted the ball into an empty net. 0–2 to The Salts — and fully deserved at that stage.

In the 68th minute, Larkfield made another substitution, with No. 8 Jack Sammoutis replaced by No. 16 Asher Malaki. Four minutes later, they made their fourth change, with No. 18 Steven Famose coming on for No. 7 Woodcock.

We then made a couple of changes of our own — Filip Ksiadz replaced Luke, and Kiyo Brown came on for Kionte.

In the 79th minute, Faebian launched a free-kick just outside their box. It was initially won by their centre-half, but the header ricocheted off Niall and dropped nicely to Kingsley. He played a smart pass to Kallum on the right, who struck a powerful effort on the run — but it flew over the bar.

Larkfield continued to press and found themselves in good positions, winning a couple of free-kicks. However, each time the delivery was poor, either overhit or comfortably gathered by Faebian.

The referee indicated eight minutes of injury time, and although Larkfield kept pressing, we coped with everything Larkfield threw at us. They became increasingly desperate rather than the good build up play in the first half.

In the 90+ 4th  minute, a long clearance from Faebian went out for a Larkfield throw near their goal line. Their centre-half, under no real pressure, inexplicably tried to take a quick throw — but from behind the goal line rather than the touch line so that the referee ordered it to be retaken. Anokye kept pressing, and whether the centre-half didn’t look or simply misjudged the throw, he lobbed it back to the keeper — with Kingsley right on top of him. The keeper had been arguing the referee’s earlier decision and, instead of clearing the ball quickly, tried to control it and beat Kingsley, but failed miserably. Anokye stole the ball, and just before he could tap in the third, the keeper brought him down. Penalty to The Salts — and a red card for the keeper.

You could argue it would’ve been better to let Kingsley score, but in the heat of the moment, he did what most players would do — foul and hope for a reprieve. Instead, he now faces a suspension.

Adam Green stepped up and calmly sent the replacement keeper the wrong way. 0–3 to Epsom & Ewell.

The referee played a couple more minutes, but we were never really in danger.

Full-Time: Larkfield & New Hythe Wanderers 0–3 Epsom & Ewell

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Final Thoughts

A well-deserved win. After withstanding a strong Larkfield start in the first 15–20 minutes, we grew into the game and took control. As our joint coaches Connor and Chris said afterwards, our defence was solid. Despite a few enforced changes, every player knew their role and battled well. The substitutes slotted in seamlessly.

Next up, we face South Park at home in the next round — Friday 15th August at Cobham, 7.45 pm kick-off. They’ll be looking for revenge after our 4–3 win in last season’s Vase semi-final.

But before that, we take on Balham at home — Friday 8th August, also at Cobham, 7.45 pm kick-off.
As always, it’d be great to see as many of you there as possible!