The U’s have it

Epsom & Ewell FC, Salts,  were drawn against Sutton United in the first round of the Surrey Senior Cup and they knew they would be a good test for the team.  Sutton United fielded most of their Academy side and the Salts made a few changes from their recent home loss to Knaphill.  Most notable of the changes was their Manager, Steve Springett playing in the holding role in midfield something he told us after that he had not played in for at least 40 years!!! – only joking Steve.


A healthy crowd of over 140 turned up to watch the game on a cold night at the Reg Madgwick stadium in Cobham and the fans had their first sight of the “Zac Powell’ appreciation society, unfortunately Zac was injured and was unable to turn out, but this did not dampen the groups enthusiasm for their hero throughout the evening.

The first half was good to watch with both teams having chances and the Sutton attack finding the Salts goalkeeper and Captain Harvey Keogh in fine form, he made a string of great saves.  The pace of George Owusu for the home side was causing all sorts of problems for the Sutton rearguard.  The half ended 0-0.


The second half started in much the same vein as the first half with both teams playing well and creating the odd chance or two.  In the 60 minute, the Salts were awarded a penalty which Luke Miller took and it was well saved by the Sutton keeper low down to his left.  From the penalty the ball was turned away for a corner which the Salts manager Steve took, as the ball swung in from the corner it was headed home at the far post by Ethan Nelson-Roberts from around 12 inches!!!

The Salts were then put under increasing pressure from their visitors with our attacks becoming few and far between, it was no surprise that Sutton equalised as the game reached its closing stages and then the Salts fell behind 8 minutes later to Sutton’s winning goal.  The game then began to fizzle out and the Salts did not create too much more in the way of chances. Final score 2-1 to Sutton Utd


What can the Salts take from the game? they played well in parts and it gave them a chance to see their new centre back signing, Louis Elsom from the Aldershot U19’s who acquitted himself well when he came on in the second half.

The Salts now move onto a local visit to play Tooting and Mitcham next Saturday 11th November which again looks like a good test for the team as they attempt to rise from our current position in the table.

To Follow the Salts visit their website CLICK HERE 

Report by Pete Mutton
Photos by Gemma Jarman

Cobham FC v Epsom & Ewell FC Match Report

Epsom & Ewell were very much looking forward to the game against their Landlords Cobham Fc at the Reg Madgwick stadium on Tuesday evening especially after two fine performances in the FA Cup and FA Vase recently.

Our manager, James Scott kept the same team from those two matches with the only addition on the bench was the returning Tommy Williams after recovering from a slight injury incurred at the home match against Redhill a fortnight ago.

The game was somewhat marred by some bizarre officialdom throughout the evening; more of that later.

We started well with our passing game working well, but with little or no penetration from our forward line.  We had a couple of scares in the opening exchanges but after 20 minutes we were ‘holding our own’.   Our opponents then began to assert a little more pressure on our back line and from a corner took the lead around the half hour mark with a ‘toe poke’ from near the goal line.  We did not react too well to this setback and the half ended 1-0 to our hosts.


We hoped that we could come back in the second half, but again apart from a couple of long range shots we were ‘second best’ all over the field.  This half will be remembered for some decisions from all three officials which went against our team.  The first was the sending off of Tommy Williams for a second yellow card after he went through on the keeper and then tried to leapfrog over him; he did catch him slightly but there was no absolute menace in the challenge. In fact a video of the incident clearly shows that the referee’s initial reaction to the challenge was to begin to wave play on only to be stopped by the Cobham players to remonstrate with him.  The referee went to the linesman and discussed the incident with him and we could all see what was going to happen and Tommy was shown his second yellow card.  What we find hard to take is that the officials must be 100% correct in their decision making before taking that course of action and they clearly were not especially when they were shown the video of the incident after the game.

Our ten men went further behind in the 89th minute and then an even more bizarre goal in injury time made it 3-0.  As the attack for the third goal began the referee’s assistant was waving his flag as if thought he had been to semaphore school and yet the referee played on and our opponents scored.  Again when asked afterwards the officials informed us that the person he had been waving for offside was not interfering with play so that’s why he had played on, the same player was the person who scored the goal so I we are unsure if that decision was right how can a player not be interfering with play and then a few seconds later score the goal.

This all may seen rather contrite and excuses for our display.  These are not, we all just want the officials to make clear decisions which are consistent.  Having  said all this, it was not a good performance and we deservedly lost.  We now find ourselves at the foot of the table with no points; we need to pick up one points and very soon.


In a few days time we turn our attention to a very tough game in the FA Cup away at Eastbourne United, who have started their respective Step 5 campaign very well.  We then travel to Jersey to take on there ‘Bulls’ on Saturday 9th January.  Our next home game is on the 16th when we face Sheerwater.

Epsom & Ewell FC Official Website 

Report: Peter Mutton
Photos: Gemma Jarman

Ashtead Artificial Grass Pitch Consultation

Public consultation on the proposed Artificial Grass Pitch at Ashtead Recreation Ground

Following on from planning permission obtained in June 2021, Ashtead Football Club (Ashtead FC) is proposing to install a new, all-weather, artificial grass pitch at Ashtead Recreation Ground, to replace the existing tarmac surface and part of the grassed area closest to the football pavilion.

Ashtead FC’s vision is to provide an affordable facility, open to all members of the public, local schools, clubs, charities, local organisations and businesses to promote recreational activities throughout the year.

What is Mole Valley District Council’s role in this project?

The Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) Development Management Committee, as the local planning authority, approved the football club’s original planning application for the new sports facility in June 2021.

Acting as the landowner (freeholder) and as a Trustee on behalf of Fields in Trust, they now need to take a decision about whether to permit the development and enter into the necessary property agreements. This involves balancing any potential benefits to the community and leisure provision (a fields in trust requirement) and the long-term provision of football facilities, against any disbenefits.

To inform their decision making, they want to provide an opportunity for the public and other key stakeholders to find out more about Ashtead FC’s proposals and to share their views.

Residents and organisations are invited to come to a drop-in information evening, to share your views and provide feedback.

DATE: Tuesday 20 June 2023

TIME: 5 – 8pm

VENUE: Ashtead Football Club (Barnett Wood Lane, KT21 2BZ)

Further information is below and residents can share their views and feedback via an online survey.

Paper copies of this survey will also be available at the information evening.

Residents can also provide feedback by emailing [email protected].

All feedback from this consultation will inform the MVDC Cabinet report that will be considered later this year as to whether Mole Valley District Council (as the landowner) should grant consent for the works and offer a lease of the additional land.

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Induction of Revd. Hannah Gordon at St Margaret’s Church, Chipstead

Have Your Say on Ewell Village

Renewal of Public Spaces Protection Orders Have Your Say