Preview:
Ewell didn’t have to wait long for an opportunity to gain some revenge against Crescent Rovers. Having lost to their reserve side in the cup last week, Ewell hosted their ‘A’ team as they returned to JD2 duties. Two closely contested games last season meant that a similarly even affair was expected.
 
The Match:

08

CHANCE

Penalty –   Clancy is manhandled in the box but Chipperton makes a hash of the resulting   spot kick, which is saved.  

14

RED CARD

A violent   off the ball reaction means the visitors are rightfully reduced to 10 men.   

34

CHANCE

Neat Ewell   build up frees Stevens, who makes a darting run before his effort is   deflected for a corner.  

38

GOAL

A drop kick   into the heavens catches Ewell, the bounce that follows benefits the away   side and leads to the opener.

40

GOAL

A sucker   punch. Ewell go two down in a space of 2 minutes after a deflected effort   squirms past Ransom, who, in spite of a desperate dive, is unable to claw the   ball out before it was deemed to have crossed the line.

HALF TIME – AFC Ewell 0 – Crescent Rovers ‘A’ 2

54

GOAL

Sear –   Assist: Keogh. A well worked set piece offers the home team a lifeline. Keogh   peels round the back and firmly heads the ball back across goal for Sear to   bundle in. Game on.

64

CHANCE

Stevens strikes   a venomous half volley from 25 yards out but the keeper avoids spilling it   into the path of several on looking Ewell players.

70

CHANCE

Chipperton’s   free kick is tipped onto the cross bar and Clancy blazes the rebound over   from 6 yards out.

77

BOOKING

Chipperton enters   the book with a rash tackle. This was largely the result of frustration, as a   number of crude challenges somehow went unpunished throughout the entirety of   the game.

84

CHANCE

Williams   curls in a cross for Bullock, who looks set to apply the finishing touch   until the keeper gets a strong fist on the ball.     

FULL TIME –AFC Ewell 1 - Crescent Rovers Reserves 2

 
The verdict:
Despite playing against 10 men for the vast majority of proceedings, Ewell were unable to make Crescent Rovers ‘A’ pay and ultimately wilted under their aggressive approach. A disappointingly thin match day squad meant that they were unable to make the sort of changes that were crucial in enabling them to decimate opponents in the final 20 minutes in their first few matches, as their energy reserves and desire to be kicked around the park had been well and truly sapped. To their credit, Ewell continued to fight until the end and arguably still did enough