Epsom & Ewell v Redhill FC
Tuesday 17th March, 2026
Match Result:
Epsom & Ewell 1 - 2 Redhill
Lobster Army Player of the Match
#1 Jayden Smith
The next installment of the Redhill play-off charge saw the Lobsters travel to Epsom & Ewell F.C., playing out of Chalky Lane on Tuesday 17th March.
In what could only be described as a sub-standard pitch, there were doubts that the game would go ahead. However, by the skin of their teeth, the referee decided the game would be played despite the ground being extremely soft, with patches containing no grass, other areas clearly needing a cut, leaning goalposts, and a clear lack of bounce from the ball in certain parts of the pitch. With the amount of games already postponed this season and very few gaps left in the schedule, realistically the game needed to be played.
First Half
The game kicked off in typical fashion considering the conditions. There were plenty of aerial balls and attempts to work the ball out wide for deliveries into the box, but neither side managed to create much attacking quality early on.
A good effort midway through the first half from Epsom forced a sharp save from Redhill goalkeeper James Dillon, who tipped the effort over the bar.
Redhill responded with some positive play down the left-hand side through George Bond and Jayden Smith, battling through the long grass to create dangerous crossing opportunities. However, the ball just would not quite fall kindly for Alex Keating inside the box.
Late in the first half came an enforced substitution, with Darryl Coleman struggling with a calf injury. He was replaced by Adeshola Onasanya, prompting a slight midfield reshuffle. Nabeel Ghannam — returning to the Lobsters after featuring earlier in the season — moved from the wing into the centre, while Ade moved out wide.
A relatively uneventful first half came to an end with the sides level at 0-0.
Second Half
The second half began with far more attacking intent from both teams. Five minutes after the restart, the ball was worked out to Jayden Smith on the Redhill left-hand side. He drove towards the corner, twisted past his defender, cut back inside, and fired towards the goalkeeper’s near post.
His effort struck the post and rebounded into the centre of the box, where the fox in the box, Alex Keating, was perfectly placed to turn the ball home and give Redhill a crucial 1-0 lead in the play-off push.
Calls now came for focus and defensive solidity, with Epsom — currently sitting just three points above the relegation zone — needing to push much harder for an equaliser.
In the 62nd minute, their opportunity arrived. A high hanging cross from the right-hand side saw Redhill skipper James Dillon come to claim under the floodlights. However, in the slippery conditions, the ball slipped from his grasp and landed kindly at the feet of Epsom’s Tom Collins, who tapped home the equaliser.
Both teams now sensed there was a winning goal available and the game became increasingly open. Redhill produced some good passing moves and dangerous crossing opportunities, although no clear-cut scoring chance emerged.
With 80 minutes gone, Epsom had a huge chance to take the lead. A slip from Redhill centre-back Harry Pointing allowed Epsom to break through, but Tommy Smith recovered brilliantly to get around and stop the danger.
As the game rolled into additional time, it looked as though Redhill may have dropped two valuable points. However, George Bond delivered a deep ball into the penalty area and the Epsom goalkeeper came rushing out to punch clear. Unfortunately for the home side, he mistimed the punch completely and diverted the ball off his own fist into the back of the net.
Delight for Redhill. Despair for Epsom.
Paddi HG replaced goalscorer Alex Keating in the 94th minute as Epsom pushed desperately for a late equaliser. George Bond and Arlie Talboys both picked up late yellow cards during the tense closing moments.
The final play of the match saw Epsom win a set piece and send everybody forward — goalkeeper included. The delivery came into the box, but Redhill managed to head clear before the referee blew the full-time whistle.
Delight for the travelling Redhill fans, players, and coaching staff as the Lobsters secured another huge victory.
Full Time: Epsom & Ewell 1 – 2 Redhill
What It Means
The result secured three vital points in Redhill’s push for the play-offs and marked another excellent away performance.
The victory leaves Redhill just one point behind local rivals Horley Town F.C. in fifth place — despite Horley also winning away at Thatcham Town F.C. on the same night — with the Lobsters still holding two games in hand.
Redhill also move level with Fleet Town F.C. on points, games played, and goal difference, with Fleet only remaining ahead due to having scored three more goals.
Redhill’s next game comes on Saturday away to Balham F.C. at Imperial Fields.
With just six huge games remaining, the boys need as much support as possible in the race for the play-offs, so get yourselves down and support the Lobsters.
