Epsom & Ewell secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory away at Cobham, overcoming injuries and a second-half sin-bin to claim three crucial points against one of the league’s top sides.

The Salts started the match with intent, creating several early chances as they looked to take control. Despite their dominance, they were almost pegged back in the 27th minute when Cobham struck the post following a well-worked move. Just two minutes later, goalkeeper Dan O’Donovan kept the visitors level with a brave save, diving at the feet of the onrushing Cobham striker to snuff out a dangerous breakaway.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 39th minute when Ethan Nelson Roberts produced a moment of brilliance. Cutting in from the wing, he unleashed a precise right-footed shot that bypassed the defender and wrong-footed the Cobham goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Epsom & Ewell then suffered a setback as defender Anthony Nazareth sustained a serious injury and was replaced by Nicolas Bostan. Cobham capitalised on the disruption just before half-time, with Derek Hayford scoring a well-taken equaliser in the 45th minute. Two minutes later, O’Donovan made another vital save, denying Cobham’s forward who attempted an audacious chip from just outside the box.

The second half began with drama as striker Will Kendall was sin-binned in the 48th minute, leaving the Salts with ten men. Cobham continued to press and thought they had taken the lead in the 58th minute, but their effort was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper O’Donovan. Shortly after, Callum Wilson produced a brilliant block inside the penalty area to deny another dangerous Cobham attack.

As Cobham ramped up the pressure, Epsom & Ewell were forced to dig deep. O’Donovan came to the rescue again in the 70th minute, pulling off an extraordinary save to deny a shot from close range. The ball, struck powerfully from inside the six-yard box, seemed destined for the net, but O’Donovan managed to divert it over the bar with a strong arm, keeping the scores level.

Despite the relentless pressure, the Salts found the winner in the 85th minute. Awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, Kendall stepped up and fired a superb strike into the back of the net as the Cobham wall inexplicably parted.

In the dying moments, O’Donovan continued his heroics with another key save, ensuring Epsom & Ewell held on for a memorable win despite the referee adding an additional eight minutes of injury time.