All eyes were on Ewell this weekend as they went into this game after back-to-back defeats for the first time in their short history. A victory would see Ewell leapfrog their opposition, Wilf Kroucher, who occupied third spot prior to kick-off, providing them with an even greater incentive to secure the points.
The first minute of the game set the tone for what was to follow: Ewell hunted in packs and worked tirelessly to press and hassle before eventually winning the ball back. The away side were evidently comfortable on the ball and their pace and movement posed problems, yet this competition was welcomed and brought the best out of the Ewell side. Having navigated a tricky opening spell, Ewell began to exert dominance of their own by getting the ball down and playing, regularly building from the back and moving up the field with purpose. Ewell's collective technical ability was arguably matched by that of the away team, yet they revealed another side to their game; one that was perhaps lacking when they were bullied out of a result last weekend. Despite surrendering a noticeable height advantage, Ewell's passion and desire saw them come out on on top in countless aerial duals and 50-50 challenges, setting up a series of attacking phases as a direct result.
Ewell were fully aware that this afternoon would inevitably be a close run thing and so the first goal was even more significant. Fortunately for them, it went their way. Quick thinking from Clancy saw Keogh set free from a long throw-in, and the persistence of the latter paid off when he dispossed a Wilf Kroucher defender before slotting home with consumate ease. Ewell deserved their lead, as Bunde had only really been tested from range. Keogh's strike was Ewell's first from open play since he netted in the 3-1 defeat to Old Rutlishians Reserves, the best part of 4 games! Ewell had opportunities to secure some breathing space, the best of which fell to Bullock and Clancy. The former incurred Williams' wrath when he attempted an audatious, trademark lob instead of leathering the ball into the far corner, meanwhile Clancy opted to shoot rather than pass following a jinxing run that tied opposition defenders in knotts, and so they went into the interval narrowly ahead at 1-0.
Ewell had produced their best football of the season in the first half, yet they continued to impress in the second half and went from strength to strength. A change in attacking personel and a slight tactical tweak were implemented in the hope of killing the game off, a game plan that almost instantly bore fruit. An incisive move down the right flank enabled Hodge to deliver a measured cut back to Keogh, but his header drifted over the bar. Ewell's defending continued to restrict Wilf Kroucher and starve their strikers of any openings, yet they were gifted a way back into the game after being awarded a preventable penalty, an offer they gratefully accepted - making it 1-1. Rather than prompt a collapse, this galvanised Ewell and sparked a response, and within 10 minutes they had restored their lead. Unable to live with Ewell's intricate approach play in and around the penalty area, a wild swipe aimed at Keogh felled the frontman and resulted in the awarding of another spot kick, which Chipperton powered into the back of the net. As the last 15 minutes loomed, Ewell's defending became increasingly dogged and determined, but the rearguard was breached when a route one pass and subsequent knock down sprung the offside trap, and the resulting effort deflected in off the post. Understandably, this momentarily knocked the stuffing out of the home side, and perhaps they began to harbour a familiar feeling of dread at the prospect of paying the price for throwing away another lead.
This encounter was certainly one for the neutrals; evenly contested and action packed, you could be forgiven for thinking that the game couldn't possibly have anything left to give. However, Clancy obviously was not reading from that script, as he replicated his first half slalom run and produced a finish to match this time around, guiding the ball into the corner and sparking scenes of jubilation, that even managed to get the crocked Stevens jumping for joy.
The goal really capped an exceptional team performance that ticked almost all the boxes in terms of what you look for, and Ewell deservedly emerged as victors. The opposition deserve credit for bringing out the best in them, as the game was played in the right manner and made for a refreshing change after last week's unpleasant experience, as the away side had actually turned up for a football match rather than a boxing one. Incidentally, Ewell's run of tough fixtures has sparked conspiracy theories regarding corruption in the SSEC, though if they equip themselves in a similar manner against Chessington KC Reserves next week a positive result is achievable.