20/4/13 – Junior Division Three – AFC Ewell 3 – Ashtead ‘Res’ 1
Glorious sunshine greeted the players on Saturday afternoon as they stepped out to play the final game of what has already proved to be a memorable first season. A win would ensure that rivals Cheam Village Warriors would need to comprehensively win all 6 remaining games to dislodge them at the top of the table, and the team wanted to bow out in style both during the game and then in their end of season celebration planned for the evening, with the boozy haze of the latter contributing to the possible inaccuracies or oversights of this report...
The game was significantly delayed as the league had to procure a last minute replacement referee, and by the time proceedings got underway some 45 minutes later than planned it appeared that the pre-match nerves had festered as Ewell began timidly. Ashtead set out their stall from the very first whistle, rarely attempting to get the ball down and play they frequently opted to pump the ball forward at every available opportunity, a tactic that suited their imposing target man and one that ruffled the feathers of the Ewell defence on occasions.
First half opportunities were few and far between, though in almost identical circumstances both Clancy and then Chipperton managed to get free inside the 18-yard box before drilling the ball across the face of the goal, but unfortunately nothing ultimately came from either effort. However, Ewell did manage to create the half’s best opportunity, as a brisk counter attack released Keogh, and though he advanced confidently towards the goal the keeper was on hand to produce a fine save after the striker managed to riffle away a well-struck effort that was destined for the corner of the net. The half-time whistle followed minutes later, and this enabled a timely reminder of the months of hard work that might be jeopardized if the home side failed to collect the 3 points.
Whilst this didn’t lead to an immediate upturn in the performance, Ewell started the second half in a more positive manner and were evidently intent upon securing the win. Ewell managed to find a much needed breakthrough prior to the hour mark, once more demonstrating their set-piece prowess as Hitch rose majestically and expertly planted a header into the corner of the net after Chipperton had swung in a curling free-kick, scoring one of the most important goals of the season in the process. Nerves were visibly reduced as a result, and Ewell subsequently began to get a strangle hold on the game as they looked to increase their lead. The same suspects were involved in the second goal some 10 minutes after the first, but on this occasion it was a left-footed cross from the wing during open play that Hitch guided home, thus putting Ewell in a commanding position.
From this point onwards Ewell ought to have seen the game through comfortably, though this was far from the case as Ashtead’s direct brand of football threatened to claw them back into the match. An innocuous free-kick awarded inside Ewell’s half afforded them the chance to load men in the box, unsurprisingly they obliged and from the ensuing uncertainty an onrushing attacker reacted quickest and tucked the ball home to ensure that the butterflies returned to Ewell stomachs, with 10 minutes left to play. By this stage the nerves were wreaking havoc and a three-pronged comedy of errors almost cost Ewell dearly, the first and second of which came in quick succession after the dependable Bunde dived over a seemingly routine cross, the ball travelled agonizing across the face of the goal though luckily Sear beat the attacker to the ball at the back post. However, the defender stumbled whilst attempting to clear but recovered just in time to salvage the situation and force the ball behind for a corner – queue one giant sigh of relief by all.
After navigating this near fatal catastrophe Ewell rallied and soon found themselves deep in Ashtead territory, and after some persistence Stroud managed to get into the box and pull the ball back to Chipperton, who then conjured the third (and fourth) gaffe. Possibly influenced by the howling cries of off-side and the spectre of his horror miss/conversion against Rollers (the latter feat was incidentally replicated by Epsom’s penalty taker on the next pitch along soon after) he inexplicably hammered the ball off of the bar from 6-yards out. To make matters worse, he made a hash of his second bite at the cherry by producing a Bullock-esque air shot, before finally remembering it was an opportunity to polish off his season’s stats, which provided the required incentive as he eventually found the corner at the third time of asking. The incident left him feeling slightly embarrassed, yet more importantly it left his wallet considerably lighter, and that’s before taking the rowdy meal at the Dhansiri and big night in Hippodrome into account!
Whilst this particular match was not Ewell’s greatest of the season, it certainly embodied their spirit, cohesion, and above all else, quality when it really counts - the cornerstones of what has been an immeasurably successful and enjoyable first campaign!