EPSOM & EWELL 1, FARNHAM TOWN 0

FARNHAM Town returned from Epsom & Ewell’s shared ground in Chipstead empty-handed after an eventful Combined Counties League Premier Division clash on Saturday.

A spectacular overhead kick from Matt Ferdinando on nine minutes was all that separated the two sides on the day but it is a result that leaves the sides at different ends of the season in the early stages of the season, with Epsom &?Ewell moving up to fourth and Farnham dropping to 16th, albeit with games in hand.

But the game was certainly closer than the league positions suggest and Farnham can count themselves unlucky not to have got more out of a contentious incident in the 28th minute when Sean Evans’ through ball found Matt Glass who, in the process of being brought down by centre back Craig Hastings, steered the ball beyond the reach of Epsom goalkeeper Adrian Jones.

But rather than celebrating an equaliser, Farnham could only look on in amazement as the referee called play back, awarded Farnham a free kick on the edge of the box and sent off Hastings. The resultant free kick sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

Despite the disappointing decision, Farnham settled quickly and put Epsom &?Ewell under pressure and alsmost grabbed an equaliser when the ball bobbled around the six-yard box from a corner and almost found its way into the home side’s net.

The pendulum had definitely swung in Farnham’s favour by this stage but again, despite a series of telling crosses and corners, they failed to find an equaliser, with Jack Dillion, Mark Corbett John Lancashire and Glass all going close.

Farnham Town manager Paul Tanner said: “This pattern is becoming a habit and this habit needs to be broken, if not we will be falling into a long, hard season again. There is much ability in the squad and I have great belief in the players we have.”

On Tuesday night, Farnham Town were on the wrong end of a 10-goal thriller as they lost 6-4 at Cobham in the first round of the Southern Combination Cup.

Mark Corbett scored a hat-trick and Elliot Cardona scored a fourth as Farnham, who were never ahead but had been level at 3-3 in the second half, bowed out of the competition.

Next Tuesday, Farnham host mid-table Westfield at the Memorial Ground (kick-off 7.45pm).

Hartley Wintney moved up to third place in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League when they made it seven wins out of seven with a 2-0 win at home to league leaders Ashford Town on Saturday.