EVO-STIIK SOUTHERN, EAST DIVISION
SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2018
EGHAM TOWN 2 (2) AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS 1 (1)
ASHLEY LODGE (20) MICHAEL KALU (40) : JOEL GYASI (38)
MOM: ASHLEY LODGE (EGHAM TOWN) ENT: 5/5

Egham Town recorded one of the biggest shocks of the season with this thoroughly merited success against divisional leaders Rushden & Diamonds. Six straight league defeats had dragged Simon Lane’s men down to 17th place; Diamonds came calling without a defeat in the league since 21st October, a run of 17. Mr Lane has been busy this week, and secured the services of Ashley Lodge and Joshua Andrew from neighbours Molesey. Andrew came on as sub in the second half, but Lodge shone from the start. Andreas Loizou, whose debut was as a right back in the first half of the tonking at Hartley Wintney, returned to the side and gave a superb performance on the other flank. From the off there was a feeling that this was not the same Egham side that capitulated at Aylesbury United. Stronger in the tackle, clearer in what they were supposed to be doing and playing with more width now that Michael Kalu had room and licence to attack on the left flank all they had to face before the opening goal was one free kick that Mitch Wiseman headed clear. Egham’s leading scorer, Brendan Matthew, was on the bench after coming off with a knock a week ago. Ryan Debattista worked hard up front in his stead.
The Sarnies took the lead thanks to some wonderful opportunism by Lodge when gifted a 20th minute chance after some catastrophic defending. With keeper Ben Marsh out of position and the centre backs split Lodge controlled the ball and then placed an exquisite lob beyond any remaining defenders and into the net. Seven minutes from the break Rushden levelled as Joel Gyasi arced a shot over home keeper Matt Nolan from 20 yards out. With strange swirls in the clouds showing the figures “1” and “5” there was understandable pessimism that this might be a sign from on high that the leaders would pull away. That downbeat mood lasted all of two minutes. Kalu won a corner kick that was not effectively dealt with and the winger, who had move infield, whipped a ferocious drive into the right corner of the Diamonds net. The three minutes left in the first period saw no response; the question was just how big a rocket the visitors would get from manager Andy Peaks. In the clubhouse the away support was not happy. This was either their worst performance in five months or the entire season.
The answer was, not a lot, or at least not with the cutting edge expected of a side with a goal difference 75 better than Egham’s. There were moments when those of us down the other end bit finger nails and shouted “get it clear” but with Wiseman and Devante solid at the centre of the home defence and Greg Haydon excellent at right back chances were limited. In midfield, so often the weakest part of Egham’s play this season, worked their socks off. When Blaize Punter had a chance he trapped the ball and hit a dipping volley that ended up in the Jungle End trees. Tom Lorraine posed pretty much the last threat but Nolan pulled off a fine save. Kalu went off injured, Andrew his replacement, and when he was fouled 20 yards out Battista saw his free kick clip the wall for a corner.
The match ended with a moment of madness. Greig Stewart, already booked, was about to be substituted for Danny Julienne, but, in the referee’s opinion, took too long to leave the pitch and picked up a second caution. Now, for Julienne to come on, another player would have to come off so Julienne reclaimed his seat on the bench. As an exercise in running the clock down it is safe to say it needs some work. What referee James Hurst was doing adding ten minutes of injury time to a half with, apart from the subbing episode, no significant stoppages is anyone’s guess.
AFC Rushden & Diamond’s loss was not too harmful for them, as Beaconsfield Town lost 3-4 at Kempston Rovers and Hartley Wintney made it a trio of top team losses, going down 1-3 at Chalfont St Peter. My guess is that the winners of the other two games did exactly what Egham did; sheer bloody mindedness allied to a huge amount of hard work. I am not sure if the loss last week was a catalyst. It certainly showed what can happen without those qualities. This win brought back memories of two seasons ago when Egham and Diamonds were fighting, ultimately fruitlessly, for promotion. The Sarnies had won the away match with Brendan Matthew’s breakaway goal, and at home penalties from Bajram Pashaj and Matthew earnt a 2-0 win. Under Chris Moore earlier this season Egham came home with a goalless draw. Today conceding a Diamonds goal did not upset them. It may seem odd but, for the moment at least, the Sarnies seem to be their bogey team.
Next week Egham will be looking to carry on this good work at Honeycroft as they tackle Uxbridge on Saturday and then face more promotion hopefuls in Hayes & Yeading United on 6 March.
Finally, thanks to the chap on his phone who walked in front of me as he was giving a critique of the game, with particular reference to how Egham needed to press the physically imposing Diamonds’ No. 5: “I’ve seen milk turn quicker”!
EGHAM TOWN: Matthew Nolan, Greg Haydon, Andreas Loizou, Devante McKain, Rhys Paul (Captain), Stephan Hamilton-Forbes, Greig Stewart, Ryan Debattista, Ashley Lodge, Michael Kalu. Substitutes: Brendan Matthew (Hamilton-Forbes, 75), Lauric Diakiesse, Joshua Andrew (Kalu, 81), Danny Julienne.
SIMON'S COMMENTS: Delighted with my team @EghamTown application of the game plan today. Every single man gave everything against a Top Top team @AFCRD unbeaten in TWENTY games. Still lots to correct but place was rocking and hopefully confidence can be gained now. #SARNIES