Tooting and Mitcham United 0 Epsom and Ewell 2 – 14 September 2024 Report

Tooting slumped to a disappointing home defeat, as in-form Epsom & Ewell repeated their success of last season, taking the points home from Imperial Fields with relative ease in the end. The Salts has lost their first five matches, but came into this one having recorded two wins on the spin; after a reasonably bright opening from the Terrors, the game declined as a contest and Epsom’s greater togetherness and determination eventually carried the day. A common feature of Tooting’s three league wins prior to this one had been an early goal, which helps to settle players down and enable them to play their natural game. Had they managed it here, it might have had the same effect. Ash Sheppard was the first to stretch his legs with a shot, but it was cleared before any Tooting player could react. The early pressure continued, and Isy Nzelo fired just over from the edge of the box with the visitors pinned back at this fledgling stage. Epsom’s first venture into the Tooting half saw some neat passes exchanged, but with players well-placed in the area, an overhit cross did them no favours, and Tooting easily snuffed out the danger. The game became a little scrappy as the Terrors enjoyed plenty of possession, but could do little of any note with it; Epsom, at this point, were content to keep their powder dry and wait patiently for an opening. As the half ticked away, the Terrors were beginning to run out of ideas, and Epsom started to get more of a foothold in the game; Toby McKimm was alert to repel a close-range shot, and then did similar to a longer-range effort as the defence became ragged. Toby was kept on his toes as he had to punch clear from danger, as the half ended goalless.

In our previous home outing, we’d trailed Corinthian-Casuals by two at the break, before some half-time adjustments saw a rather different (and much improved) Tooting side in the second half. The hope was that something similar would transpire here, as Elliott McKimm and Deji Adeosun replaced Isy Nzelo and the debut-making Aaron Smith-Joseph for the second period. Unfortunately, it had little effect, as just two minutes of the second half had elapsed when Epsom took the lead. Ali Fofahan engaged in a strong run down the left flank, then cut inside and surprised Toby by aiming for the tight angle at the near-post when the keeper had probably expected the ball to be aimed for the far; it snuck inside the small gap, and Tooting were behind. With the bulk of the half still to play, it should have served as a wake-up call, and potentially spurred the Terrors into better efforts; instead, it had the opposite effect as heads began to drop, passes were mis-placed, and Epsom sensed the game was there for the taking. They were right; just before the hour Carl Oblitey glanced home number two, as an initially cleared corner found it’s way back to him. The afternoon could have ended in a much heavier defeat but for the saves of Toby McKimm who kept the score down to two.