Egham Town registered their first win in the CCL Premier since securing promotion in season 2012-13, and moved up from second bottom to 15th. The performance was a sign of further improvement on the narrow, and unlucky, defeat at Horsham YMCA in the FA Cup on Saturday, and that they came from behind will further help their cause. Last season Molesey, who came with Egham from Bostik South Central, did the double over the Sarnies. This time the sides were more evenly matched and the Sarnies had chances to take the lead themselves. Omar Hassan shot wide ten minutes in and later slipped the ball to Zaine Gangadeen, who sliced wide. After 18 minutes Costa Rodrigues hit Chris Paulatt Brig’s bar with a thumping header from a corner kick, then Anthony Thomas was denied by the keeper’s dive at his feet. Molesey’s first effort was Ryan Marklew’s crisp volley that Sam Freeman held comfortably, then Egham came close again as Hassan’s lob attempt from 30 yards was only narrowly off target. It was somewhat surprising then to see Molesey take the lead as Marlon Pinder gave a long punt by his goalie in his stride and walloped the ball past Freeman, just before the break.
Egham did not seem overly bothered about being a goal down. Rodrigues whipping in a cross that Gangadeen was inches away from. They had the ball in the net in the 57th minute after Thomas dummied Rodrigues’ cross and Hassan netted at the far post. He was offside, apparently. Six minutes later another Rodrigues’ cross finally reaped reward and fired in a shot just inside the left post. Eleven minutes from time Egham took the lead, Gangadeen’s square pass to Thomas met with a fearsome strike that left Paulatt Brig rooted to the spot. He was similarly incapable of dealing with the goal that secured the win and Thomas’ second hat-trick of the season. He ran on to Connor Channon’s through ball and hammered his shot in from the edge of the box.
On Saturday Egham host an FA Vase First Qualifying Round tie against FC Elmstead from the Southern Counties League Division One. They are tenants of the Sutton Athletic side that blitzed Ashford Town (Mx.) 6-0 in the Cup on Saturday. The two played each other today and drew 1-1. FC Elmstead are in third place. The tie will see new boss Tony Choules take his place on the Egham bench for the first time after a pre-arranged family occasion this weekend. He will learn from his assistant and coach that, if the two games in the last three days are any guide, there is a lot of talent in the squad assembled by Carl Palmer. On another positive note, again no Egham players booked. If there is need for a replay in the Vase tie it will be held at Sutton Athletic’s London Hire Ground in Hextable, Kent on Tuesday next week.
EGHAM TOWN: Sam Freeman, Harry Tubb, Lekan Ejinwunmi, Kayode Conteh (Captain), Tristan Toney, Tyler John, Costa Rodrigues, Connor Channon, Anthony Thomas, Zaine Gangadeen, Omar Hassan. Substitutes: Greg Wright, Jack Hatcher (John, 83), Sham Abufalah, Tommy Cole.