Ewell came out on top last weekend in an entertaining encounter against Wilf Kroucher, and welcomed Chessington KC Reserves to the Fortress this time around. The SSEC newcomers have made a flying start to the season and so posed a serious threat to the home side, notching an impressive tally of 30 goals in their previous 5 outings. The result would alter the state of play at the top of the table and so both teams would have been eager to take home the points.
Ewell were not able to replicate the blistering start they made last week, yet they did make things hard for their opponents without managing to find a great deal of fluency when going forwards. When they succeeded in getting forwards, it was initially down the right hand side where they looked most threatening. Webster, in the first of a flurry of up field saunters, got to the by-line and swept over a hanging ball that was tipped onto the crossbar, denying him what would have been his first goal for the club, much to the relief of all local bookmakers who would have lost a fortune on him being the opening goal scorer. The full back linked impressively with Hodge, who was deployed on the wing for the first half, and Ewell broke the deadlock thanks to this successful partnership. Half an hour into proceedings, Hodge weaved his way through a couple of challenges before cutting the ball back to the penalty spot, where Bullock managed to improvise well and steer the ball into the far corner on the slide.       
Chessington had not mounted much of an attacking threat thus far, which was somewhat surprising given their free-scoring exploits of late, meanwhile Ewell grew in confidence after taking the lead. Hodge continued to be a nuisance to away team’s backline down the right, whilst Clancy began to give them nightmares down the left hand side. Ewell looked dangerous when their passing triangles finally slotted into place, though they were ultimately unable to extend their lead before the interval.
The introduction of Groves at half time provided additional bite in the midfield and freed Kelly to roam further forwards, as Ewell set out with the 2 fold plan of keeping things tight at the back but also looking to kill the game off. However, and in true festive spirit, Chessington were gifted a way back into the game minutes after the restart. This was especially disappointing as Ewell had defended resolutely and Bunde had only been called upon to take goal kicks or collect over hit through balls. Buoyed by their equaliser, Chessington attacked with renewed vigour and suddenly it seemed as if they were going to be the next team to score. This fear almost materialised during a couple of extremely close shaves for Ewell: firstly Bunde’s sharp reflexes enabled him to parry a point blank header over the bar; whilst a combination of Bunde, Williams & Kingshott somehow managed to scramble the ball away after a goal mouth scramble that seemed destined to result in a Chessington goal.
The home team have proved on countless occasions that they have bouncebackability in spades, and this proved to be the case once more as they retook the lead in the 70th minute. Shortly after being reinstated as the spearhead of Ewell’s attack, Hitch gratefully buried the opportunity to open his account for the season, beginning the defence of his top scorer’s crown in the process. The fresh legs of Groves had enabled the midfield enforcer to surge forward at will, and from one of these runs he squared the ball to Hodge, who intelligently shuffled the ball along to Hitch, who made no mistake from 10 yards out. Any thoughts of an uncomfortable last 10 minutes or so were put to bed when the inevitable happen: Clancy won a penalty. Defenders are invariably unable to live with the winger’s twisting runs, and having been hauled down on previous occasions without getting the decision, this time a cynical foul resulted in the awarding of the spot kick. Chipperton dispatched this into the corner and thus ended the prospects of a Chessington revival. Ewell had opportunities throughout the game and ought to have scored more than 3 goals, though the signs are encouraging after a relatively brief barren spell in October/early November, by their standards.
Another tough game yet more significantly another 3 points for Ewell, as they continue their steady rise, much like Clancy’s quiff, Williams’ waistline and Ewell’s tour coffers.