The most remarkable event of the evening was naming 16-year-old Damian Čech (son of Premier League legend Petr Čech) in goal as Faebian Witter recovered from the effects of concussion sustained in our FA Cup defeat on Saturday. Both teams, in fact, were knocked out on Saturday and so both would be working hard not to go out of two competitions in four days.
There were a number of changes to Saturday’s team apart from Damian; Ethan-Nelson Roberts came in at the back, moving Emmanuel Limpo into midfield in place of Niall Stillwell (who was also injured on Saturday). Callum Wilson replaced the suspended Toby Young, and Obasanjo Akinniranye and Kallum Peart made their first starts replacing Luke Miller and Kingsley Anokye, whilst Andrew Herring came in for the injured Brendan Murphy-McVey.
Whilst fairly even, the game, we think, was spoiled by a number of strange decisions against both teams. The referee gave out two yellows in the first 10 minutes, one to either side. He ended up giving one more to each team in the first half — harsh to say the least. The problem is the game then often descends into a battle of attrition with both teams getting frustrated. The “forearm smash” on Oba also seemed to deserve a red in our opinion. On 11 minutes Ashford won the first corner of the game with a long ball down our right-hand side, which was well defended. The ensuing corner was cleared out of the box and an Ashford player ran onto the loose ball and hit a first-time shot, but it cleared the bar, the fence and the perimeter.
Emmanuel Limpo made a good move through the centre of the pitch, beating three players before he was brought down outside the box, but the free kick didn’t trouble Brzozowski in the Ashford goal. On 23 minutes Kionte made a good move cutting in from our right side. He tried to use the outside of his boot to curl the ball in, but it went wide of the Ashford right-hand post. Ashford had their first real chance on 29 minutes when they made some nice one-touch passing and the ball found its way to the Ashford No. 11, Mark Bitmead, but he made a real hash of it and the ball went wide.
There were a few half-chances to the end of the first half but neither team really looked like scoring and we went in 0-0.
At the start of the second half Town had another chance with a shot from outside the box, but that too sailed wide. The game changed in the 50th minute when a strong challenge from Luis Oliveira was deemed to be a red card. Very harsh, as it was strong but Luis certainly played the ball. The fact it was almost in front of the Ashford bench and their screaming at the ref may have helped him make his decision, but there we were down to 10 men again in four days.
Rather than sit back, this did seem to inspire us and a good move on our left side found Andrew Herring, whose shot was parried by the keeper. It bounced around the box until a shot from Adam Green was deflected to Herring again, who made no mistake this time. His first for the club. Well done Andrew. Epsom & Ewell 1-0 Ashford Town.
The lead didn’t last long and in the 60th minute Ashford made use of their extra man, moving the ball out to the right where a good cross to the back post found Oba marking two men and the ball was put away by Ashford sub Armani Church. Max Johnson made three changes then: Ayran Kugathas came on for his first game after a long injury lay-off for Herring, Jack Torbett came on for Oba, and Luke Miller replaced Limpo. Just after the subs, the referee evened up brandishing a second yellow card to Ashford No. 4, James King, for a poor challenge on Kallum Peart in the middle of the field. The Salts management felt it was bad enough for a straight red, but either way we were 10 v 10 for the last half-hour or so.
Damian Čech, who had a tidy game so far making saves you would expect, found himself charging out of goal to make a challenge and clear a long ball over the top. Both teams, as in the first half, had a few half-chances. Dundas had been brought on, Nazareth and Leo Cunningham came on for his debut replacing Peart. Maybe Ashford had the better chances towards the end of the game, but in the final minute of injury time a good move forced Dundas to make a challenge on Danyaal Iqbal in a dangerous position. He hit an excellent free kick and the ball just shaved the top of the bar to our relief. The referee then blew for full-time and it was penalties ….. again.
Adam Green and Callum Wilson put our first two penalties away, as did Ashford Town. Craig Dundas slotted away our third, and then Čech made the first of two saves, diving to his left to parry the ball away. The Salts now in the driving seat. You have to say for Ayran to step up and take our fourth penalty was very brave due to his long absence, but he made it 4-2. Čech then made sure he was named man of the match by saving the next penalty this time to his right, and we are through to the last 16.
Talking after the game Petr Čech kindly spoke to us, describing the game as a hard-fought, even contest. He was obviously very proud of Damian and when I asked him if he had played in similar games he replied: “Yes, but you have to find a way to win them” — and we certainly did. The two joint Asst.managers also spoke of the tough game but were pleased by the team’s resilience, especially going one up after the sending-off. We have a break this Saturday, probably lucky really due to injuries, but we also face suspension of Adam Green and possibly Luis Oliveira if the report goes in in time. This is hard because we play our “landlords” in an away game for us next Tuesday, KO 7.45, before we return on the Friday evening v Chipstead, also at 7.45.
As always, the lads will be pleased to see you, especially Tuesday when there should be a good few Cobham fans.
