Saturday 7th October 2023

The Reg Madgwick Stadium, Cobham KT11 1AA

Epsom & Ewell v. Colliers Wood

Rural leafy Surrey on a sunny autumn afternoon. Cobham home to the rich and famous of the footballing world.

But what is Cobham like to attend grassroots football? Will I be mixing with the over-indulged of the Premier League or will it be a Fanfare for the Cobham Man?

Always a civilised journey going via Guildford and today was a particularly picturesque train trip on a balmy October day.

A tranquil stroll from the station, via a myriad of magnificent mansions. No haze of illegal drugs in this suburb , just the aroma of wealth and well-being.

If you're looking for an away pub to visit on your walk from the station, the idyllic Running Mare should suffice. But if that doesn't quite tickle your fancy, there's even a branch of The Ivy close to the stadium!

Into the ground itself and one turnstile reveals a 4G pitch inside a cage. Old school clubhouse with lovely friendly people and a bacon roll to die for.

There's an traditional cow-shed behind one goal and a more modern metallic terrace behind the other goal plus a couple of Meccano style main stands seating around 100 people each.

On to the match, and it was my pleasure to spend the majority of the game with the Epsom club historian, Richard. Absolute legend with every statistic and titbit you would ever wish to know about The Salts.

Epsom entered the contest, bottom of the table having lost all seven of their league fixtures and The Wood just one place above them. So to see the home side score five goals was an unexpected treat.

On this showing Epsom will be climbing the league in no time.

A beautiful day and probably the most tranquil away experience I think I've ever had.

[Final Score: E&E 5 CW 1]