Epsom travelled away to John Lyon School in Harrow on an overcast Tuesday afternoon. Despite the recent torrential rain, and windy conditions, the quality of the pitch was superb and much credit should go to John Lyon’s grounds team for their work in preparing the turf.
Epsom started brightly and managed to create a number of well-worked opportunities at goal. Sam Kirby (P) and Christian Collier (P) were energetic and a handful for the opposition defenders. Captain Charlie Richardson (C) was a stalwart figure in midfield and dispossessed the John Lyon players a number of times. Daniel Davies (C) raced around effectively to generate tempo to the game and consequently played a number of well-timed balls through to the strike force upfront. Harrison Watts (P) was his usual consistent self and ensured that Epsom had an option of a wide man to deliver space and width, while Robert Godfrey (G) complemented this on the opposite wing. The defensive unit of Zac Middleton (G) and Nikolai Marinov (H) played to the letter of the law and ensured that Epsom reduced the amount of opportunities for the John Lyon players.
Epsom played with such vigour that John Lyon struggled to contain the attacking threat of Collier, who earned his hat-trick and Kirby, who finished with a pair. Seven goals were scored in a game where the away team could have finished with more. The semi-final awaits.
Goalscorers: Collier (P) x3, Kirby (P) x2, Davies (C), Laflin (P)
Player of the Match: Christian Collier (P)
WON 7-1
