Ewell’s motivation heading into this midweek game was twofold: firstly to exact revenge on an Old Town side whose only league win of the season came when the sides met on the opening day, and secondly to boost their goal difference tally – as this could still play a part in determining the league champions. Securing three points was the only outcome that Ewell could afford in their penultimate game, and they accordingly fielded an attack-minded starting eleven with the hope that early inroads would be made.
Old Town obviously had read from the same script, as despite having a team of giants their generous defending allowed Ewell to register a goal within the first five minutes from, yes you guessed it, another set-piece. Hitch’s inviting corner got the treatment it merited when it was met by Sear’s determined run, and having lost his marker the latter found the back of the net, getting the reward for his endeavour. Undoubtedly this marked the perfect start to the game, but Ewell knew they needed to kick on in order to fully capitalise on their numerical and technical advantage. However, rather than initiating an improved performance the early goal seemed to generate a sluggish spell in which Ewell’s play was both pedestrian and lacking in purpose. Fortunately, this 20 minute lull was curtailed when Hitch coolly doubled the lead after latching on to Chipperton’s through ball, providing the finishing touches to a simple move that carved upon the Old Town backline. Rising from their collective slumber, Ewell finally began to string together the sort of incisive passing that would further threaten Old Town, who had quite clearly parked the bus in an effort geared towards containment and damage limitation. In the final 15 minutes of the half Ewell’s play was more purposeful, and the lively MacMillan would have added a third had the woodwork not conspired against him, meaning the score remained at 2-0 at the half time interval.
Rather than a dressing down, the Ewell team talk simply demanded more after the break, as it was patently clear that they had not reached the performance level required of them. The message seemed to sink in quickly as they looked more like the side currently enjoying a fine run of form, coming close with several half-chances in the 15 minutes or so after the restart. Old Town’s inability to defend corners was showcased once again at the hour mark, though perhaps they too were stunned as Keogh planted a header home. Despite his sizeable presence, Ewell’s towering front-man is normally the decoy, but he proved his aerial ability is coming on leaps and bounds when he convincingly dispatched Bullock’s teasing ball. He was clearly as stunned as everyone else as he celebrated elaborately with his teammates, though his elation at scoring was similar to that he displayed when Golden Boot Rival Bullock’s goal bound first half effort found the stomach of an Old Town defender. However, Bullock would ultimately have the last laugh, as in the last minute he appreciatively steered the ball in from short range in similar circumstances to his goal against Rollers a few days earlier, with Hitch once more provider.
This goal leaves things delicately poised as Ewell go into their final game of the season against Ashtead this coming weekend, as Bullock sits top of the tree with 12, Hitch and Keogh follow with 11, though Clancy and Chipperton might come from left field as they have both notched 9. However, most importantly the team enter the game knowing one last win means Cheam cannot overtake them on points, and if they do win all 6 remaining fixtures they will need to also need to score a fair few goals. Perhaps the slight feeling of disappointment that the score line was not quite as emphatic as it might have been is a measure of how far Ewell have come this season, though the 3 points were most welcome.