EPSOM & EWELL 4, BADSHOT LEA 2

THE score is misleading because Badshot Lea led 2-1 at one stage and Epsom & Ewell only killed them off with two late goals on Saturday.

It mirrored the result of the earlier Combined Counties League meeting between the sides back in September when Epsom also needed late goals to clinch a 4-1 victory.

The Baggies kept home keeper Michael Eacott busy in the early stages, but it was Epsom who took the lead on 19 minutes, Jason Nwachukwu cutting the ball back for Matt Ferdinando to shoot across Lee Allen into the far corner.

The lead lasted just nine minutes. Epsom waited for an offside flag that never came and after a goal-line clearance by James Taylor, Leke Somule followed in to put away the loose ball.

Five minutes before half-time, the Baggies shook high-riding Epsom by taking the lead, Benga Ogunseye making no mistake from close range.

Alas, the visitors could not take their advantage into half-time. Three minutes later, Nwachukwu blasted home his first goal for Epsom.

Some gritty defensive work and good saves from Allen looked like earning Badshot Lea a creditable point in the second half.

However, Epsom brought on leading scorer Daryl Cooper-Smith with 14 minutes to go and, almost immediately, the change did the trick. Jordan Gallagher crossed low into the box and Cooper-Smith poached his 26th goal of the season.

And as the game went into injury time, a lucky deflection enabled Ferdinando to snap up his second goal, leaving the Baggies with nothing to show for a spirited effort.

* Badshot Lea lost 5-2 at home to third-placed Hanworth Villa on Tuesday night and remain second from bottom in the Premier Division. Badshot Lea entertain Walton & Hersham (fourth in the table) this Saturday.

* Farnham Town’s scheduled match at Horley was postponed on Saturday. Farnham host Abbey Rangers this Saturday.