Epsom & Ewell 2–3 Tooting & Mitcham United. 31st August 2026 – Chalky Lane, Chessington – Combined Counties Premier League South. Attendance: 206.
Epsom & Ewell twice led and appeared on course for a deserved victory before two stoppage-time goals turned the match on its head.
The Salts began brightly, moving the ball well and immediately putting Tooting under pressure. There was an early moment of controversy when an apparent elbow inside the penalty area went unseen by the officials.
Tooting adopted a physical approach and Epsom became increasingly frustrated as several challenges went unpunished. Jason Bloor was booked for kicking the ball away following another disputed decision, while three Tooting players received yellow cards for heavy challenges.
Despite the disruption, the Salts maintained their composure and took a deserved lead in the 41st minute. Blessing Hombessa found the bottom corner with a calm, low finish to send Epsom into the interval 1–0 ahead.
Tooting drew level four minutes after the restart through Michael Onovwigun, but the Salts responded superbly.
In the 55th minute, Hombessa broke free, brought the ball under control and fired past the goalkeeper to restore Epsom’s advantage with his second fine finish of the afternoon.
The Salts continued to play the better football, while Tooting increasingly relied on long balls forward. Ayran Kugathas was shown a yellow card in the 74th minute.
As the players tired, however, the contest became increasingly stretched. Epsom opted not to use any of their five available substitutes and paid a heavy price during a dramatic period of added time.
Antonio Simeone equalised for Tooting in the 92nd minute. Three minutes later, William Efambro struck the visitors’ winner to complete a remarkable turnaround and leave the Salts empty-handed.
Having controlled long periods of the match and twice held the lead, Epsom will regard this as a particularly painful defeat.
The Salts return to action on Saturday 12th September, when they host Bearsted in the FA Vase.
