Dorking thrashed by Epsom & Ewell

A DISASTROUS 20-minute spell before half-time sent Dorking to a crushing 5-0 defeat at the hands of Epsom & Ewell on Tuesday night.

The promotion-chasing visitors scored five goals in 20 first half minutes to claim all three points at Meadowbank.

Chicks manager Peter Augustine made seven changes from the team that started the 2-1 cup defeat to Reading and after a pretty even opening 15 minutes, he saw his side capitulate in the worst possible way, starting with a devastating seven-minute hat-trick from Kyle Hough.

There were 23 minutes on the clock when Andy Amfo-Brobbey went through on goal. Chicks keeper Sam Freeman came out to meet him, making a save, but the ball fell kindly for Hough to slot home the rebound.

Just two minutes later and the visitors were awarded a penalty when a Hough cross hit Martin Waldren's outstretched arm and Hough stepped up to convert his second.

Hough completed his treble five minutes later, lobbing the ball over Freeman.

The visitors were not finished there and could have gone into the break more than five to the good.

Robbie Burns struck a volley just over the bar on 32 minutes, Amfo-Brobbey hit the side netting on 38, before Burns was twice denied from close range by blocks from Freeman and Alistair Moore.

Ramzi Bedj-Bedj curled an effort just over the bar on 42 minutes but Epsom broke through for the fourth time just before the break when Amfo-Brobbey cut the ball back for Burns to slot home.

The ball only stayed out of the Dorking goal for another 50 seconds.

Freeman spilled a long ball from Smith, under pressure from Ben Hayward and the ball fell to Burns who got away from Sam Murphy and tapped into an empty net for a 5-0 half-time lead.

A rocket from Augustine at half-time clearly had an effect on his troops as the second period ended in stalemate.

Chicks were a different side after the break, playing for pride more than anything. The visitors were still getting chances, but they were also sitting back, allowing Dorking to have some of the ball.

Aidy Butler did have an opportunity, but his effort was directed straight at Epsom keeper Paul Borg as the hosts went on the attack, but could not find a way through.

Augustine was not impressed with the first half display, but insisted it would take time to get things right.

He said: "After 20 minutes it was 0-0 and we were not doing bad and then we imploded. If someone had told me we'd lose against Epsom I probably would have said 'OK', but I didn't expect us to go down like that.

"It was very disappointing, you could say it was a disaster, but these things happen, we're only three games into my reign and if I could get it right after three games I'd be in the Premiership!

"We didn't do all the things that we should have been doing. If you don't follow a game plan you'll get torn apart by the good teams."