Going into the game the Ewell management faced an unprecedented problem…how to pick a starting side from a strong squad of 14?! However, this was a somewhat welcome issue as it meant being able to rely upon more than capable substitutes for a change, rather than scrapping by with the bare 11.
The opposition made the game difficult for Ewell, as they sought to disrupt the flow of the game by applying great pressure and contesting fiercely in the tackle. Ewell did manage to take the lead with what was a fittingly scrappy goal, in keeping with how the game had panned out to that point. Ewell posed a significant threat from set pieces, particularly with the inclusion of towering defender Williams (N). Unsurprisingly, their patience and resolve did pay off from a corner, as the ensuing scrap in the opposition’s penalty allowed the debutant Walker to prod home from close range.
This goal brought about greater fluency in Ewell’s play, as the side was perhaps still wounded from last week’s defeat at the hands of Destiny. Yet for all their good play the credit for the next goal ought to go to a Greenside defender, who inexplicably fired the ball across his own 6-yard box for the grateful Davies to simply volley home, 2 -0. The third goal was heavily influenced by another debutant, Clancy, as his mazy run was abruptly halted by crude Greenside challenge. This lead to the awarding of a penalty, Chipperton successfully assumed the responsibility and became the game’s third goal scorer to open their account for the season.
A consolation goal against the run of play from Greenside did take some of the shine off of the win, yet after back-to-back defeats the squad were pleased to return to winning ways and hopefully get their campaign back on track after an early season wobble.