Epsom & Ewell FC , The Salts, travelled to sixth placed Tooting and Mitcham United and were expecting a tough examination, when in fact what turned out was a consummate victory for them, 3-0.
The Tooting squad consisted of many familiar players from the Salts successful promotion winning campaign of last season so there was always going to be an extra edge to this game.
There were a couple of changes to the Salts team from our recent loss to Sutton United in the Surrey Senior Cup the previous Tuesday, but they had in the main a team that was able to compete without much higher placed hosts.
There was a minutes silence before the match began as it was Armistice Day which was impeccably observed by the crowd present. As the first half progressed the Salts were much the better team and most of the play was in the Tooting half. The Salts had a number of corners and eventually one paid off as TJ was on hand in the 34th minute to head the ball home; it was nothing more than we deserved. The first half ended 1-0 to the Salts.
As the second half began, the game turned on a decision by the referee when he had no choice but to send off the Tooting No 4 for a bad tackle on Rory Edwards in the 47th minute. Then with a one man advantage the Salts could not totally relax but they were in control of the game; there was one scare for them but their Captain and goalkeeper Harvey Keogh was on hand to save with his feet. The Salts increased their lead in the 81st minute in rather comical style when the Tooting goalkeeper missed a back pass and the ball trundled into the net; it will not be a video that the hapless goalkeeper will want to see again in too much of a hurry. The Salts went 3-0 up when Luke Miller controlled a pass deftly in the area and slotted the ball into the net. All in all a very ‘satisfactory’ day at the office for the team and another indication that the Salts management team of Steve Springett and Sam Groombridge are beginning to get the team playing better and hopefully moving up the table.
The Salts now have some momentum, but move onto a difficult away game at Sandhurst this Tuesday evening 14th Nov and then they will follow that with a home game against Croydon Athletic or should we say ‘Stromzy and Zaha’s’ team – your support would be gratefully appreciated and with the parking restrictions now lifted so that you can park on one side of the road that leads down to the Reg Madgwick stadium there is no reason not to come.
Finally, it would be remiss of us not to wish our Club President, Stella Lamont well after falling ill recently, everyone at the club from the playing staff, supporters and committee wish you all the very best.
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Report by Peter Mutton
Photos Gemma Jarman