This is the third time in four games where we have not managed to finish off a game; two draws, and we probably deserved a draw against Tooting and Mitcham but conceded a winner in the 82nd minute. Even last Tuesday, when we came back from 2-0 to snatch a draw in 90+5, we were playing against 10 men for nearly 75 minutes and probably should have done better.

Anyway, another good crowd of 102, on a pleasant day, even though it threatened rain all afternoon, saw a strong performance from ‘The Salts’. We were forced to make more changes to the starting line-up due to injuries. Ayran Kugathas came in at right back for Luis Oliveira. It was great to see the return of Stefan Aiwone, who came in for Toby Young, who played for 20 minutes with a dislocated shoulder on Tuesday. Jason Vincent was not available, and so Ali Fofahan was switched to centre forward and Obasanjo Akinniranye came in on the right side. Finally, Shane Dunne returned in place of the injured Callum Wilson.

We started well and had our first corner after 3 minutes and another on 10. Oba was already causing trouble with his pace on the right and got past his man three times, although the final ball was poor. On 15 minutes he got himself into the box; his shot beat the keeper but was cleared by a defender — it looked from our angle as if it was off the line, but it was certainly going in. Horley rarely troubled us but managed a corner of their own on 20 minutes that Faebian cleared with a good punch, only for the ball to be sent back in from outside the box, and he was forced to tip it over the bar. With Oba continuing to be a threat, it seemed to be only a matter of time before we did score. Sam Allen in the Horley goal was forced to come out of his box and clear with his head and also had to deal with Ali Fofahan coming in on goal.

On 29 minutes, we got our reward. Surprisingly, it came from our left, where Adam Green found Emmanuel Limpo, who dribbled his way into the box and put a nice finish into the bottom corner. It is disappointing that we didn’t capitalise on our superiority and failed to really trouble Allen in the Horley goal. Shane Dunne had an attempt from outside the box, but he sliced it wide of their left upright. Similarly, on 38 minutes Horley had an opportunity, but the shot was well wide of our left-hand post. Horley’s best chance came on 43 minutes — the ball was moved down their left and a good pass found Will Kendall coming into the box. He took a touch too many, though, and his shot was blocked and fell into the hands of Witter.

No further chances, and with the referee playing 2 minutes of injury time, we went in on top.

HT: Epsom & Ewell 1-0 Horley Town

The second half started much the same, with Oba causing trouble down the right and being constantly fouled. On 49 minutes, the referee did give a foul, but the kick was poor and went off for a throw, which Horley took quickly and moved down the right side into the box. Nazereth missed a clearance and the ball seemed to be falling for the onrushing Horley player, but Naz recovered and got a block in. The Horley player went down looking for a penalty, but the referee wanted nothing to do with it.

On 60 minutes, another good run from Oba had the ball on the right and he played a nice pass into the box with Ali bearing down on goal, but a defender just managed to get there first and the ball was cleared for a corner. It was a good ball in, right into the middle of the six-yard box with Stefan bearing down, but the keeper got there first with a good punch out of the box. On 70 minutes, we were forced into our first sub, with Oba being given some harsh attention but with no protection from the ref; he was replaced by Kionte Gilfillian-Waul. We still continued to play some nice football. Shane and Brendan combined to put Kionte through on the right. He put a good ball in, but it was just a bit high and Limpo, coming in from the left, could only put his header over the bar.

Horley started to come back into it and our management team held back from any more changes as we seemed to be coping with everything. But on the 88th minute, Horley took their chance. A little bit of a scramble — with first Faebian making a save with his foot — the ball went out and was hit back in before being blocked again. This time, the clearance fell to Will Kendall, who made no mistake and stroked the ball into the corner.
Epsom & Ewell 1-1 Horley Town

We made four substitutions at this point — Connor McShane for Naz, Jason Bloor for Ayran, Teddy Ralph for Brendan, and Che Bell for Limpo. Unfortunately, it didn’t provide us with enough time to get them into the game and, in fact, Horley probably finished stronger and had a couple of half-chances that had Salts fans covering their faces, praying for the whistle to go. The referee played 6 minutes of injury time, but the game finished all square.

FT: Epsom & Ewell 1-1 Horley Town

Talking to the management team after, they were disappointed with the result and felt we really should have held out. As mentioned at the start, we are conceding late goals almost on a weekly basis at the moment, but they will work on it. Overall, they were pleased with the performance, as it was a big improvement from Tuesday night at Alton, but we are lacking a replacement for Kingsley, so the work will go on to try and find someone. On a positive note, we have only lost one of our last five games, but have also failed to win five of our last six, so sit halfway up the table with only one game in hand over the teams around us.

We have a quick turnaround with an away game v Sutton Common Rovers at the War Memorial Ground (home of Carshalton Athletic) tonight, Monday 27th, KO 7.45pm, and we travel to Krooner Park, home of Camberley Town, next Saturday, KO 3pm, before we face Abbey Rangers at home next week on Tuesday 4th Nov, KO 7.45pm. Hope to see you over the week.