Following the departure of Warren Barton, the Salts were managed by a caretaker team of Craig Dundas and Max Johnson, with a couple of other coaches brought in for good luck. They knew another defeat would be disastrous given the limited games remaining and somehow found that burst of energy that often comes when a manager leaves.

Corinthian-Casuals were on a poor run themselves, having gone 16 games without a win. With this being their final home match of the season, they were desperate to give the majority of the 232 fans something to smile about before their final two away fixtures.

Casuals started brightly with a shot on goal in the first minute, but Epsom & Ewell responded in the fourth when Brendan Murphy-McVey’s snapshot went just past the post. The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides showing attacking intent but lacking a clinical edge. Ethan Roberts suffered a nasty tackle, and a poor backpass from Niall Stillwell forced keeper Sami Nabbad into slicing his clearance out for a throw-in.

The Salts continued to push forward. Adam Green won a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, but his effort was poor, sailing across goal and out for a throw-in.

In the 13th minute, a well-worked move from Casuals saw their forward bearing down on goal, but a crucial last-ditch interception from Niall Stillwell denied them the opener.

Epsom & Ewell responded again with a great attacking move that found Luke Miller free in the box, but he snatched at his shot, sending it wide. The best chance of the half came in the 32nd minute when Dundas chased what looked like a lost cause and managed to cut the ball back to McVey, whose shot struck the foot of the post. The ball bounced dangerously across goal, but Jason Bloor, following up, couldn’t get a clean connection under pressure from the Casuals defence.

The game continued to ebb and flow. A brilliant defensive header from Toby Young kept the score level, and moments later, Green forced a superb save from the Casuals keeper, who tipped his strike around the post. In the second minute of stoppage time, the Salts nearly took the lead in a goalmouth scramble, with multiple shots blocked on the line before Miller sent the final effort high over the bar from 15 yards out.

Both teams went into the break satisfied with their performances but undoubtedly feeling they could have been ahead.

HT: 0-0

One problem we have faced this season is conceding early goals at the start of each half, and tonight was no different.

In the 47th minute, Ben Cheklit was found in the box after some good hold-up play, and his shot found the bottom corner of Nabbad’s goal. 1-0 Casuals—we would now have to come from behind for the first time this season to secure the win we desperately needed.

A few minutes later, a great ball from Dundas found Luke Miller, who, with only the keeper to beat, lifted his shot high over the bar.

Where in the past we might have crumbled and conceded a second, this time, the goal seemed to ignite a response. The Salts stepped up a gear and began to take control. Casuals’ poor form had largely been down to their inability to hold onto leads, and in the 56th minute, that weakness was exposed again. A ball into the box deceived the onrushing keeper, bouncing over his outstretched arm and allowing Jason Bloor the easiest of finishes. 1-1.

Seven minutes later, Bloor, now causing problems up front, was brought down in the box by Casuals’ Dos Santos—recently voted the club’s Player of the Year. Already on a yellow, Dos Santos was given his marching orders, leaving the hosts with ten men. Adam Green stepped up and confidently slotted the penalty into the bottom corner. 1-2 Epsom & Ewell.

Could we see out the game? Thanks to smart substitutions and disciplined defending, we did just that.

Ali Fofahan and Kionte Gillfillian-Wual came on for Bloor and Murphy-McVey as the Salts continued to control the game, cutting out Casuals’ long-ball attempts. Then, in the 80th minute, Stefan Aiwone and Callum Wilson—unusually playing as forwards—were introduced for Craig Dundas and Ethan Nelson-Roberts.

Casuals pushed for an equaliser but rarely troubled Nabbad in the Salts’ goal.

As the game neared its conclusion, Luke Miller was booked for kicking the ball away in the 88th minute, and Nicolas Bostan replaced Ethan Brazier a minute later. Nine minutes of stoppage time followed, during which Ali Fofahan came close but fired over the bar.

FT: 1-2

Three massive points for Epsom & Ewell, not only giving us extra breathing space but also lifting us above Chipstead on goal difference. Both Balham and Chipstead have played 36 games, while we are on 34, with just four points separating us.

Next up, we travel to already relegated Spelthorne Sports on Saturday, followed by three home games. Coincidentally, Casuals travel to Balham, desperate to end their poor run. We also have the rearranged cup game against Balham next Tuesday evening—so hopefully, we’ll see you all there!

A win on Saturday could take the pressure off for the rest of the season.