With half the side that regularly start being rested after the gruelling extra-time Vase triumph three days previous, Chertsey Town were always going to struggle against a very handy Epsom & Ewell side.
Although the margin was wide in the end, things might have turned out tighter, at the very least, had a couple of key first half moments proved more favourable to the visiting side.
Dominic Worthington, Jack Mazzone, Kwabana Agyei nor Andre De-Lisser started last Saturday but did so for this Surrey Senior Cup tie. Other positional changes gave an unconventional appearance to Town’s line up.
Manager Spencer Day has two prime priorities in his quest for success this term, and The Surrey Senior Cup, this season, did not feature high amongst his targets.
What was more familiar was the weather as the game, high up on Epsom Downs, was again beset with continuous rain and a very slippery and heavy playing surface.
It was perhaps the pitch that beat Steve Goddard midway through the first half when, in the first opening of any kind in the game, he was put away with seemingly only the goalkeeper to beat.
A gap was found at the edge of the area but the ground gave way as he took the strike and it skidded harmlessly to one side.
Later, Dominic Worthington sustained a knock to the back of his neck and whilst off the park, Epsom scored their opening goal.
The shame of the situation was that Worthington had tried to go back on a good half minute previously when the ball had gone out for a throw deep in Epsom territory but was unseen by the referee.
A swift move on the far left flank resulted in a cross to the centre where Mark Harman had freedom to head home for a 43rd minute Epsom lead.
Epsom & Ewell had the better of the second half and went further ahead on 64 minutes from the penalty spot after a soft trip by Liam Stone was severely punished despite the tricky surface, allowing Kyle Hough to appear on the Epsom score sheet.
It was never going to be Chertsey’s night and there was no surprise when Robbie Burns increased the host side’s lead with nine minutes remaining in a rather low key night.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here