SPECSAVERS SURREY SENIOR CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND
TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER 2018
EGHAM TOWN 4 (1)
Rhys Rabess 2 (31, 56), Kezie Ibe (58), Abraham Eze (80)
RAYNES PARK VALE 2 (2)
Seanan McKillip (5), Jack Williamson (36)

Egham rediscovered how to win a football match with this County Cup tie victory over a spirited Raynes Park Vale who belied their Combined Counties Premier mid-table standing, especially in the first half of this entertaining match.
Egham Town boss is rebuilding his squad, and there was evidence of his hard work tonight. In goal was Matt Nolan, who shone at the tail end of last season while on loan from Enfield Town. He is still the London club’s player but it is hoped he can have an extended run as a Sarnie. Alessandro Sancese came in at left back – he was with Gosport Borough last season. Up front Kezie Ibe was partnered by former Oxford City striker Abraham Eze, and Domenico Morgillo (London Colney) came off the bench. RPV came in to the game with a four game unbeaten run against hosts who had lost five on the spin. The rearrangement of the home side meant that it took time to gel, as was shown by Seanan McKillip being allowed to run at the home defence with a mazy run which ended with a decent finish. Just past the half hour Egham were level, Ibe and Eze forcing Vale to retreat. Eze was fouled in the area but the referee ignored it, so it was only fitting that the ball should land at Rhys Rabess’ feet for a powerful drive that James Smith could not keep out. Unfortunately Egham then let their visitors in once more, some horrible defending leading to James Williamson’s perfectly executed chip past Nolan. Egham could have levelled again as Mason Tunbridge headed a Josh Andrew free kick back across goal where Harry Tucker was just off target with his own header. Had it not been for Nolan pulling off a fabulous save from Williamson just before the break the Sarnies could have gone in 1-3 down.
Smith made half time changes, Danny Julienne and Greg Haydon replacing Sean McCormack and Tucker. Egham started looking more cohesive and fashioned a superb equaliser out of not much. Nolan launched the ball to the left wing, Rabess and Tunbridge played a one-two and Rabess advanced to hit a superb cross shot into the far corner. Two minutes later the young fans behind the RPV goal got the goal they wanted from their hero Ibe as the experienced striker finished a flowing move. Vale were not now finding the space they had had in the first half when they looked like a very decent side who deserved to be higher than they are. Egham started knocking the ball around with confidence and Tunbridge was denied a goal by the Vale keeper as he met Rabess’ low cross. Ten minutes from the end Eze broke free, played an intelligent pass to Tunbridge and from the return finished well to earn the Sarnies a trip to Virginia Water in the next round.
Egham make the short trip to Molesey on Saturday for an important league match, the two teams occupying the bottom two slots of the Bostik South Central. Egham have made alterations to their squad and doubtless Molesey will have done the same, so it remains to be seen which manager has made the better choices. On Tuesday Egham face the Bracknell side who stuck seven past them last Tuesday, this time in the Velocity Trophy second round.
EGHAM TOWN: Matt Nolan, Josh Andrew, Alessandro Sancese, Charlie Malin ©, Harry Tucker, Lewis Hobbs, Sean McCormack, Mason Tunbridge, Kezie Ibe, Abraham Eze, Rhys Rabess. Substitutes: Georges Ehui, Greg Haydon (Tucker, HT), Stephan Hamilton-Forbes, Danny Julienne (McCormack, HT), Domenico Morgillo (Eze, 81).