January 21st Epsom Vagabonds 3 Oxted Vintage Moonshiners 6
Conditions for this return match were rather different from the opening day
of the season when Oxted won in blazing heat. Vintage determination to
complete the double saw pressure from the outset on the Vagabond goal.
However, against the run of play, it was the home side that scored first, a
drive into the circle deflecting past Pat Tory.
Oxted came back strongly and "Missile" Mike McGhee equalised with one of his
specials from a short corner. Epsom were on the back foot and Tim Forster
took advantage of a loose ball in the circle to put Oxted ahead.
Characteristically, Epsom came back strongly to equalise with another
deflected goal. Just as the sides were thinking "all square at half-time
over the mulled wine", "Poacher" Paul Hawthorn popped up by the post to
sweep in a cross from Forster, 3-2.
The second half saw more concerted effort from Epsom but the Oxted defence
stood firm. Most of the play came down the left where Mike Kenny got stuck
in as usual and David Todd tackled with aplomb. Pushing forward opened gaps
which Mark Sabin, Malcolm Field and Dan Quinton exploited in midfield,
feeding Hawthorn, Forster and "Orbiting" Andrew Orbell. Tim Forster then
completed a hat-trick, the first from an angle and in-off a post, the second
not so memorable as he couldn't recall anything back in the clubhouse!
Another short corner from "Missile" Mike McGhee made it 6-2 but Oxted
couldn't relax under more pressure from Epsom. Two short corners went to a
hard hitting forward but he had not reckoned with "Quicksilver" Dan Quinton
who tackled him at the moments of impact and both balls sailed over the bar!
Epsom closed the gap with yet another drive into the circle and deflection,
but overall the Moonshiners deserved their victory.