Epsom And Ewell Gain Belated Vase Revenge - Epsom And Ewell vs. Hoddesdon Town

Fantastic clubhouse at The Surbiton Town Sports Club

In April 1975, Epsom and Ewell met Hoddesdon Town in the final of The Fa Vase at Wembley. The teams met for the first time since their date at Wembley on Saturday at Surbiton Town Sports Club. Epsom had made a promising start to their pre season winning one and drawing so far this summer. I have visited Hoddesdon on two previous occasions, once in 2009-10 for a Vase game against Kirkley and Pakefield and again last season for a Spartan League match with Kings Langley. There are least two times I've seen Epsom and Ewell, once away at Guildford City in The Combined Counties League and at Alton Town in the same competition.

Kick off at The Surbiton Town Sports Club

Hoddesdon have an early goal disallowed as a rebound is forced home after the initial shot was saved. Epsom take the lead shortly afterwards when a long ball forward is allowed to bounce by the defenders and the ball is lashed home on the half volley from the edge of the area. Epsom follow this up with further long range efforts which both come close to doubling the advantage. They do double their advantage as the forward is played in through the middle and he slots the ball past the advancing keeper. Hoddesdon get one back just before time as the Epsom keeper is caught out by a free kick. I didn't see a lot of the second half but I did see Hoddesdon make a good start to the second half but just before I left, Epsom made it three one. In my dash to make the train I missed a further four goals which hopefully isn't an omen for the coming season.

Hoddesdon make it two one.

Epsom host Lingfield on the 28th so if you fancy seeing a game at unique venue then I would fully recommended going along. Surbiton Town Sports Club is a steady twenty minute walk from Tolworth Station. Trains to Toworth depart from Waterloo and the journey takes about half an hour. In between the station and the ground is The Hogsmill Tavern which has a fantastic beer garden if the weather is nice. The clubhouse shown at the top of the post is fantastic and has the usual selection of drinks and Sky Sports on the big screen. The club produced a special pre season programme for this game but they also had some left over programmes from last season and it is well worth picking one up as it is a fantastic programme.

Elevated match action