EPSOM & EWELL 2, FARNHAM TOWN 2

A GOOD point for Farnham at fifth-placed Epsom & Ewell, although they were probably disappointed not to come away winners after Jon Lancashire had twice given them the lead in the Combined Counties Premier League match.

Chris Poole was unlucky to miss out on selection as Lancashire came straight back in after 34 weeks away, but Paul Tanner’s decision paid off as Lancashire gave Town the lead after eight minutes.

Neither side had really got going when Alex McKay’s attempted back pass held up on the wind and Lancashire nicked the ball before rounding Michael Eacott and passing into an empty net.

The strong cross-wind caused the game to be end-to-end, but not in an attractive way and chances were few and far between.

Errors were aplenty and it was a defensive lapse by Farnham which helped Epsom back into the game. Matt Tanton was allowed to cut the ball into the near post and McKay made amends for his earlier gaffe by blasting home from close range.

The wind favoured Epsom in this half and Farnham did well to reach the break with the score still 1-1. Skipper Darren Wilson picked up a yellow card and Richard Ossai made a fine save from the resulting free-kick.

Dan Dean had a shot blocked after a strong solo run and half-time arrived with Farnham confident they could take control in the second period.

Sure enough, with just three minutes gone, Lancashire opened up Epsom’s defence with some neat footwork and slipped the ball past Eacott to restore Farnham’s lead.

The pattern of half-chances for both sides then resumed, with neither keeper seriously troubled.

Then, in the 68th minute, Epsom drew level with a rare bit of quality allied to some luck. Substitute Jordan Gallagher whipped in a left-wing cross and Reisse Griffin advanced from his left-back position to guide the ball into the top corner, apparently with his thigh.

In the tricky conditions, the sides then settled for a point apiece, although Farnham nearly grabbed all three when Ossai’s wind-assisted clearance bounced high off the bobbly surface and Eacott had to be alert to tip the ball over.

“A point at Epsom felt more like a moral victory,” said Paul Tanner. “This result shows the massive improvement in the players’ attitude and performances. We can only look forward to the next five games as we try to hit that 50 points target.”

Farnham are home to CB Hounslow this Saturday.

Farnham: Ossai, Horner, Spiers, Wilson, Williams, Henneberg (Cardona), Cox, Staines, Medcraft, Lancashire, Slater (Ramsden).