Kelvedon Hatch played hosts to a new look Epping on a bright afternoon with little wind on a pitch in excellent condition. Hatch made several changes form their previous league game away at Faces FC.

The game started with both sides playing it cagey but the first chance went to the Hatch when on 4 mins Nick Pegg chipped a pass over a defender into the path of Dan Demetriou, who shot wide. Epping looked the brighter and on 10 mins Danny Fenn, the hatch keeper, was called into action to make two good saves. The next 20 mins was a battle of mid field as both sides attacked at will without creating many chances. On 29 mins Epping a chance to score but thankfully the forward’s shot was deflected out for a corner. On 32 mins Demetriou found space in their box but miss hit his shot wide. On 35 mins Jemel Henry passed to Kevin Marsden, in space, but he failed to make contact with the ball. On 37 mins some brilliant passing by the Hatch from defence to attack ended in a corner. On 43 mins School Lane may have witnessed the goal of their season, when the ball fell to the feet of the Epping forward, a good 24 yards out, his first time volley screamed into the to left hand corner of the goal, giving the Hatch keeper no chance, 0-1 and the score at half time.

Epping had the first chance of the second half when the Hatch keeper, Fenn, made a good save at the feet of their forward who had broken through the Hatch defence. On 53 mins Nick Pegg was replaced by Tony Price. On 54 mins Epping beat the Hatch defence again but their forward shot over the bar. On 58 mins a cross from the left ended with Steve Merrick bringing out a good save by their keeper from his header. On 61 mins it was Adam Hunt who brought out another good save from their keeper. On 62 mins Craig Cripps was replaced by new signining Garry Smith. On 71 mins a Hunt corner, from the left, fell to Garry Smith but a decisive tackle by an Epping defender kicked the ball to safety. On 76 mins Marsden put Hunt clear on the left only for him to hit the side netting. On 80 mins Marsden brought out another good save by their keeper. Hatch then had two corners that came to nothing. On 82 mins Dave Stittle replaced Adam Hunt. The final action of the half was from Epping when Fenn, the Hatch keeper, had to make two excellent saves to deny Epping, when they only had him to beat.

The Hatch supporters had seen an end to end game of football by both sides with their own team creating chances but not converting them, things can only get better!

Touchline