Epsom & Ewell 0 Horley Town 2
Town played away at Epsom & Ewell who ground share with Ryman League side Merstham.This was Town 18th attempt to beat Epsom & Ewell with the record of Played 17 won 15 and drawn 2. Town put that right on the night with a great team performance and out played Epsom all over the pitch. Town welcomed new signing Kevin Lock up front in place of the suspended Nathan Jupp.
With only two minutes played Kevin Lock had a shot on target.The ball went straight up the other end and the centre forward broke free beat keeper Ian Chatfield but his shot hit the upright and bounced to safety.This was followed by the Epsom player blasting his shot well out of the ground with only Ian to beat.With five played John Eldred just failed to connect as the home keeper beat him to the ball.With seven played Epsom skipper Paul West was total outdone for speed and skill by Adam Pullen and West just smashed Adam to the ground and he was lucky to stay on only receiving a booking.As the ball continued Kyle headed the ball into the net but the referee took the game back to the foul so the goal did not count.From the free kick Jack Poplett's kick was cleared by the home teams wall.With eleven played Adam Pullen again turned West and shot just wide of the upright.With eighteen left Ian Chatfield got down well to save at the near post. This was followed minutes later by a good header from Kevin Lock which was well saved.Next up Adam Pullen again beat his marker and his powerful shot was going in till it took a deflection of a home team defender and went out for a corner.From the corner Kevin Lock had a long range shot which the keeper stumbled on but grabbed it at the second attempt.The team went in at half time with the rain pouring down with the score still nil nil. Town came out sharp and went on the attack from the start of the second half.the first attack saw Jack Poplett who had already been taken out four times crossed for John Edlred who just ran out of pitch to connect with the ball.The ball again went straight back up the other end and Ian Chatfield did well tipping the ball round the post for a Epsom corner.With nine played again Epsom broke with only Chatfield to beat by hit it high above the trees out of the ground.With twelve played a goal mouth scramble saw first Kevin Lock and then Jack Poplett have chances to score before Epsom cleared the ball.With fouteen played another poor tackle by Epsom this time on Ben Herdman saw the player go in the referee's book.From the free kick Ben Herdman got up well and saw his header well saved.With twenty six left Epsom picked up booking number three for another poor tackle.This was followed by Ben Herdman getting booked.With eighteen left Ben Herdman put the perfect ball into Kevin Lock who turned controlled the ball and fired into the net for a debut busting opening goal.With sixteen left Ben Herdman broke into the box and shot but the ball came back of the upright after beating the keeper.With eight left Adam Pullen put in a good cross which Jack Poplett fired into the side netting.With four left a goal mouth scramble saw Adam Pullen have a shot hit the upright after receiving a ball from Jack Poplett, in the box there was a shout for a penalty and then Ben Herdman scored a great goal to make it two nil (See the goal on Horley's U Tube site) With two minutes left Jack Poplett and Kevin Lock were replaced with Darren Tidy and Mark Gilbert. A great first ever win over Epsom which pushed Town back to second in the table.
Team: Ian Chatfield, Colin Harvey, Tom Windsor, Steve Rowlinson, Anthony Jupp, Ben Herdman, Jack Poplett, John Eldred, Kevin Lock, Kyle Hough, Adam Pullen
Subs: Liam Cox, Dareen Tidy, Mark Gilbert
Video at www.youtube.com/user/HORLEYFC
See Ben Herdman's Goal
