Preview:
 
Ewell were looking to bounce back from a disappointing collapse in their previous fixture versus Claygate and they locked horns with league newcomers Balham Reserves in their first league outing at Merland Rise.
 
The Match:
 

10

NEAR MISS

In what proves to be a busy afternoon’s work, Ransom is tested for the first time in the game and produces a save to keep the score line intact.

14

CHANCE

Harley causes the full back a few headaches with some incisive running. Unfortunately for Ewell, nobody is there to apply the finishing touches to his cut back.

16

GOAL

Clancy. Assist: Tanous. Latching on to a goal kick glanced on by Tanous, Clancy evades a couple of challenges before coolly dispatching the ball beyond the Balham keeper to give Ewell an early lead.

26

NEAR MISS

An excellent Ransom save is then hooked off the line by the retreating Inglis, before Crawford throws himself at the ball to provide a vital block from the resulting follow-up effort. 

32

GOAL

Clancy. Assist: Chipperton. Ewell’s goal line heroics are rewarded as the tireless Clancy doubles their lead in a similar manner to which he scored the opener.

40

CHANCE

Tanous almost grabs a spectacular third as his dipping long range effort is only just tipped over the bar.

HALF TIME – AFC Ewell 2 vs Balham Reserves 2

62

GOAL

After holding out steadfastly throughout the opening half, Ewell succumb in bizarre circumstances as a long throw strikes Ransom and deflects in.

68

NEAR MISS

A increasingly nervy Ewell are handed a wakeup call as a free header from a corner rattles off the crossbar.  

72

CHANCE

Chipperton’s cushioned header to Tanous doesn’t quite sit for the latter as Ewell seek to put the game beyond any doubt.

80

CHANCE

Tanous is presented with a glorious opening to kill off the game, and appears to do everything right. However, his lobbed effort beats the keeper and drifts agonisingly wide of the post.

84

GOAL

Ewell fail to heed their warning from last week and see another lead slip away as Ransom is beaten at the near post by a well-struck half volley.

FULL TIME – AFC Ewell 2 vs Balham Reserves 2

The verdict:
 
For the second consecutive week Ewell left the field ruing their inability to close out winning positions and see out the final few minutes. Whilst this week’s opposition posed more of a threat, Ewell will still be disappointed to have left opportunity to claim all three points drift away.