Epsom & Ewell 1-0 Molesey

A goal by Ben Hayward that was worthy of winning any game, won the match for Epsom & Ewell.

On a bitterly cold Bank Holiday Monday morning at High Road, Chipstead, Epsom & Ewell initially adapted to the conditions quicker than their visitors from Molesey.

The first chance came after in the first minute, when Ben Hayward volleyed over from near the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Mark Jarman shot off target from a similar range. Carl Downs had a shot blocked, again from about 18 yards out.

The visitors created their first opportunity after 11 minutes when Peter Songs shot wide from about 20 yards. The play quickly moved to the other end, where Mark Jarman had a shot off target. A quickly taken free kick nearly caught the Epsom defence out on 14 minutes, Moses Spencer headed a free kick over from just inside the Epsom penalty area.

By now, both teams had decided to use the conditions to shoot as often as possible. Just a minute later, Epsom’s Kyle Hough had a shot blocked. A couple of minutes later, a Nathan Ayling header from Epsom’s first corner was headed clear.

Lewis Ackerman went close for Molesey in the 19th minute, when he shot wide from a Peter Songs cross. Molesey again went close, when Ross Chalke shot wide less than a minute later.

It was end to end stuff. Molesey’s captain, Andy Graves headed a dangerous looking right wing cross from the lively Mark Jarman clear. The ball found its way to Epsom skipper Ben Hayward who beat one defender, then flicked the ball over another one and volleyed the ball past Molesey ‘keeper Wester Young from about 15 yards after 21 minutes. There were some similarities with Paul Gascoigne’s goal for England versus Scotland in Euro 1996.

This heralded a few minutes of good Epsom possession. Epsom won their second corner on 25 minutes after nice passing move involving four players. Mark Jarman hit the crossbar from a header shortly afterwards.

Antony Panayi was adjudged to have handled the ball deliberately in 26 minutes. It was the game’s first caution. The resultant Molesey free kick was easily cleared as was Epsom’s next corner on 27 minutes. A couple of minutes later, a Mark Jarman corner for Epsom lead to Nathan Ayling heading wide from six yards.

After some good Molesey possession, Mark Jarman broke away for Epsom and shot off target whilst in full stride.

Molesey nearly equalised on 39 minutes, when Ross Chalke forced a fine save from Joe White in the Epsom goal. Ross Chalke was also involved in Molesey’s next opportunity, when he had a shot charged down from 18 yards. Mark Jarman had a shot on the turn blocked and in the same move, Ramzi Bedj-Bedj shot straight at the Molesey goalkeeper in what was the last action of the first half.

Half time: Epsom & Ewell 1-0 Molesey.

Epsom & Ewell started where they finished the first half. Ben Hayard had a shot blocked. From the resultant corner, Nathan Ayling headed wide. Molesey were awarded their first corner in the 48th minute after a goalmouth scramble.

Carl Downs shot off target for Epsom shortly after. Chances were becoming fewer as the bitterly cold wind running from north to south along the pitch made any ball in the air difficult to control. On 58 minutes, Kyle Hough shot straight at the Molesey goalkeeper after a very nice four man move down the right.

On 73 minutes, Mark Jarman had a goal-bound shot blocked from a Ramzi Bedj-Bedj cross. Molesey nearly made Epsom & Ewell pay for not scoring a second. Substitute Joe Gray shot straight at Joe White on 77 minutes in what was Molesey’s first real chance of the second half. A minute later, Ben Hayward had a shot deflected wide. The resultant corner lead to a goalmouth scramble, but the ball was eventually cleared. Freddie Myers forced the Molesey goalkeeper into a save on 80 minutes. The resultant corner was easily cleared.

Ben Hayward was fouled on the edge of the area. The resultant free kick was easily cleared. Ramzi Bedj-Bedj was booked on 85 minutes for a foul.

After about three minutes into time added on, Robbie Burns nearly scored a second for Epsom & Ewell, when he latched onto a long aerial through ball. His shot hit the top of the crossbar. The referee blew for full time shortly afterwards.

Full Time: Epsom & Ewell 1-0 Molesey.

EPSOM & EWELL

1. Joe White, 2. Sam Currie, 3. Freddie Myers, 4. Carl Downs, 5. Antony Panayi, 6. Nathan Ayling, 7. Ben Hayward (Capt), 8. Ramzi Bedj-Bedj, 9. Robbie Burns, 10. Kyle Hough, 11. Mark Jarman, 12. Jamie Hatfield, 13. N/A, 14. Alex McKay (For Downs 88 mins), 15. Ali Dewar, 16. Alex McGregor, 17. Dale Marvell (For Bedj-Bedj 88 mins)

Goal: Hayward (21 mins)

Bookings: Panayi (26 mins), Bedj-Bedj (85 mins)

MOLESEY

1. Wester Young, 2. Colin Hart, 3. Tom Dilloway, 4. Andy Graves (Capt), 5. Moses Spencer, 6. Peter Songs, 7. Tom Windsor, 8. Ross Chalke, 9. Arnold Tawonezv, 10. Lewis Ackerman, 11. Manny Quarshie, 12. Joe Grant (For Ackerman 65 mins), 13. N/A, 14. Sam Galliers (For Songs 65 mins), 15. Steve Mwinie, 16. Ashby Charles, 17. Paul Cross

Attendance: 53