1st XI RETURN TO THE MEADOW WITH A WIN

With just 2 weeks till the season opener vs Purley the squad assembled at near full strength for the visit of Epsom. What transpired was an end to end encounter where BE's desire to string together passages of play were disrupted by Epsom's grip and endeavor in the tackle. The game was a classic preseason game where Epsom were afforded a number of early chances due to BE turning the ball over in key places. The early exchanges were riddled with errors from both sides but BE did gain an early corner that just whistled past the right hand post from the dangerous Chris Harden. Following a few scares including a 2 on 1 with Keeper Nathan Bullens, that he repelled brilliantly, BE did take the lead as Mike Lawrence broke the deadlock smashing home a revers stick strike from a loose ball in the D. The 2nd BE goal came soon after as another Mike Lawrence strike found its way in at the near post via a defenders stick. At 2-0 BE looked comfortable but another turnover in the middle of the park allowed Epsom to counter and swiftly score with a minute to half time.

The second half saw BE take a much firmer grip of the game as Epsom were restricted to long balls and over heads to get up the pitch. A penalty corner was won and this time Chris Harden did not miss riffling the ball in just above the back board and then moments later, after Andy Slack was hauled down, Harden had his second, 4-1 and BE should have closed the game out by this point.

Epsom were not done and despite a few moments off for their centre back, they found a way back into the game as a hopeful ball in clipped an Epsom stick and found its way into the bottom corner. To send the wind up BE the Epsom boys won a short corner soon after and from the rebound slotted their third goal to make it an unlikely 4-3 with 10 to go. BE wrestled back the possession and kept their cool, stringing together good passage of play before winning a short corner on the final whistle, which David Lawrence converted with a deflection.

The BE boys will be happy to have 70 minutes under their belt and will be hoping that the performance take another step in the right direction against Horsham this Saturday.