BADSHOT LEA 1, EPSOM & EWELL 3

BADSHOT Lea are a work in progress this season and new manager Neville Roach says it will take time for the rebuilt side to find consistency.

A week after knocking Farnham out of the FA Vase, the Baggies were outplayed by top-ten side Epsom & Ewell in the Combined Counties League meeting.

They responded well after conceding a goal almost straight from the kick-off, but ultimately Epsom’s more clinical finishing was the difference between the sides.

“The early goal was really disappointing and a kick in the teeth,” said Roach. “We reacted well, but then got lazy and they just picked us off.

“It’s a very difficult job and there’s a lot of work to do,” said the former much-travelled striker who counts Reading and Southend amongst his clubs, as well as Basingstoke Town for whom he made 141 appearances in two spells.

Since 2010, he has managed Hartley Wintney, Thatcham Town and Eversley before being appointed by Badshot Lea who play their home matches at Ash United FC ahead of the scheduled move to a new ground at Wrecclesham next season.

With only 11 players signed up at the start of the season, Roach has used his wide contacts to increase his squad, but injuries and availability issues and unfamiliarity amongst the players has prevented any real progress. The Baggies are currently second from bottom in the Premier Division, having won only once in 10 games.

With only 70 seconds on the clock, Epsom took the lead from a corner, Daryl Cooper-Smith lashing the ball into the net.

Badshot Lea’s response was encouraging and they scored an excellent equaliser just eight minutes later. Gavin Muir produced a bit of magic and hung a cross in the air for Jacob McDonald to head past Michael Eacott at his near post.

Both teams then made and missed some decent chances, but Epsom’s surer touch in front of goal earned them the spoils in the second half.

On 63 minutes, Cooper-Smith was allowed time and space to collect Alex McKay’s cross and slot past the advancing Pat Kinsella, with the Baggies appealing in vain for offside.

Epsom put the game to bed with two late strikes. Cooper-Smith laid a goal on a plate for Matt Farrell and, in injury time, a low shot from substitute Matt Smith was half-stopped by Kinsella and the ball dribbled over the line.

After a midweek trip to Bedfont Sports, Badshot Lea return to FA Vase action on Saturday and visit league rivals Abbey Rangers in the second qualifying round.