In what was an open entertaining match with both sides trying to play football on a tricky surface that cut up as the game progressed. Credit to the Loxwood FC ground staff who worked hard to ensure the match went ahead.

The first chance of the match fell to Loxwood, but the shot was deflected for a corner. After 14 mins Tom Lyne went on one of his trademark runs from defence and his pass created a good chance for Dan Huet whose shot was blocked. Shortly after some great football from EP as Ryan Quirke and Hunter combined well and Hunters shot was wide.

Loxwood had claims for a penalty after Lyne made a tackle in the box but the referee decided that Lyne had played the ball. Shortly after and from a through ball Sam Smith in the Loxwood goal had to come out to clear and the ball fell to Hunter who shot went wide. Another chance for EP after 21 mins when from a Jack Barnes corner Josh Etherington headed wide.

Loxwood had a shot on 28 mins but Ben Purkis in the EP goal saved well low down to his left. The game was very open with both teams playing some good football. EP had a penalty shout of their own on 32 mins when Luke Brodie appeared to be pushed over but the referee waved play on.

The deadlock was finally broken on 37 mins when from an excellent through ball from Barnes set Huet free with just the keeper to beat and the EP skipper calmly slotted home to give his side the lead.

Loxwood had a half chance shortly after but in a goal mouth scramble EP cleared their lines. The last action of the half was from a Barnes free kick Brodie was penalised for a foul on the Loxwood keeper.

Half Time: 1-0

The home side were soon level early in the second half when from a bit of a scramble in the EP box Ollie Moore reacted quickest to shoot home from six yards. Barnes had the next chance for EP but his free kick was saved by Smith in the Loxwood goal. Loxwood had a chance to take the lead on 57 mins when from a corner Eddie French headed over the bar.

Huet then had two chances within a minute of each other as his first shot was cleared off the line and his second was saved by the excellent Smith in the Loxwood goal. Purkis then came to his sides rescue as he made an excellent double save which kept the scores level.

Loxwood took the lead on 66 mins when from another corner that wasn’t cleared properly by the EP defence Josh Courtney slammed the ball home from off the inside of the post. The signs were not good for EP as not having played for seven weeks they now had to find a way back into the match with just over 20 mins to go.

From another solo run by Lyne he won a free kick on the edge of the Loxwood box. Brodie took the kick, but it was saved by Smith diving to his right. EP were now pushing hard to get back in the match and Quirke went through and his shot saw a great save from Smith again.

EP finally got the equaliser on 81 mins when Quirke again showed some great footwork to find himself through with the keeper to beat and this time he took it round Smith to tap into an empty net.

Loxwood had the next chance but a great goal line clearance from Etherington ensured the scores remained level. Huet then had another chance as he won the ball from the Loxwood centre half, but his shot went over the bar. Substitute Jake Heryet had a shot on 84 mins but his shot was again well saved by Smith.

The winning goal came on 90 mins when Hunter won the ball he played the ball into Huet who was 1 on 1 with Smith in the Loxwood goal and Huet unselfishly played the ball back to Hunter who slotted into the net.

Great comeback from a team short of match sharpness and a very welcome and hard earned three points.

Full Time: 3-2

Manager Bob Paine commented: ‘Very proud of the team today to find ourselves 2-1 down with 20 minutes left having not completed a match for seven weeks showed the character, desire and fitness of my team to score twice in the last ten minutes. We have trained twice a week since we haven’t played, and we got our reward today for all that hard work. The team spirt is excellent and we saw today how together the group is. We are now in catch up mode in the league with seven games in February so a tough schedule but one we are looking forward to having not played for so long.’

Team: Ben Purkis, Josh Parazo, Dave Beaney, Matt Searle (Da Costa 86 mins), Tom Lyne, Josh Etherington, Luke Brodie (Heryet 76 mins), Jack Barnes, Dan Huet, Ryan Quirke (Laughlin 90 mins), Hayden Hunter
Subs: Stuart McDonald, Nathan Da Costa, Jazz Gilbertson, Jake Heryet, George Laughlin