The Salts made several changes to the starting line-up. Connor McShane returned at right-back with Ali Fofahan in an unfamiliar left-back role. Adam Green partnered Toby Young in the centre of defence. New signings Karl Bailey (right) and Callum O’Keefe (left) both started out wide, while Shane Dunne returned to midfield alongside the recalled Niall Stillwell. Jason Vincent led the line once more.

Any rhythm was broken almost immediately. Bailey’s afternoon lasted only nine minutes before a shoulder injury forced him off, with Ethan Nelson-Roberts coming on. Shortly after, play was stopped for the surreal removal of animal excrement from the pitch, and the task was carried out not by the home club, but by the Epsom & Ewell bench.

The first half was scrappy and chances were scarce. Green was booked for a sliding challenge, Nelson-Roberts shot over after O’Keefe’s good work down the left, and Murphy-McVey also fired over from the edge of the area from a Fofahan free kick. O’Keefe continued to cause Camberley problems down that flank, creating another opening which Fofahan dragged wide, while a late first-half McShane free kick was headed behind after a strong run from Vincent. Crucially, neither goalkeeper was required to make a save before the break.

The second half began with conditions worsening and tackles reflecting it. O’Keefe was booked early after the restart and on 56 minutes Camberley’s Rippon went into the book for a studs-up challenge. His reaction to the referee brought a second yellow immediately, and Camberley were down to ten men. Despite that advantage, it was the home side who struck first. In the 62nd minute Ewing finally forced the first save of the match, with Witter doing well to beat away a driven effort through bodies. From the resulting corner in the 63rd minute, skipper Larrieu-Price was on hand at the near post to tap home for 1–0. Two minutes later it got worse. A straight through ball was not dealt with and the Camberley No.9 lifted his finish over the goalkeeper for 2–0.

Epsom & Ewell made changes to find a response. Kugathas replaced McShane on 71 minutes, and then Akinnirayne, Bloor and Merrett were all introduced on 76 minutes in place of Murphy-McVey, Stillwell and O’Keefe. Still, chances on target would not come. Dunne fired over on 86 minutes, and Camberley could have added a third two minutes later as good work from Ewing ended with substitute Erim Dinctop shooting over.

The Salts finally found the target in added time. A perfect left-footed in-swinging corner from the right was met by Ryley Merrett unmarked inside the six-yard box, and the substitute finished to pull one back. Unfortunately, the moment came too late to affect the outcome.

FT: Camberley Town 2–1 Epsom & Ewell

Epsom & Ewell leave empty-handed and now have just six points from their last seven matches.