8th February 2016 Welcome to the latest Club update. For the second time in four Saturdays our match was the only one called off in the division as our trip to Farnham bit the dust (mud?) on Saturday! It has been rearranged for Tuesday 29th March, but this is an error as we are already playing Raynes Park on the 28th. Expect this date to be rearranged. Fortunately, we were able to get one match played this week as we defeated Redhill 3-0 at High Road. It may have looked a comfortable scoreline but Redhill certainly haven't accepted that they are down yet and played in a spirited manner, giving us trouble at times. However, we got off to a flyer with an early goal from Kyle Hough and once Tom Neale had smashed in a second goal on the half hour there was only ever going to be one winner. This week, as will be the case for the forseeable future, we have two matches and they don't come much tougher than Tuesday's trip to Camberley Town. For those who are unaware Camberley are obviously challenging for the title, having leapfrogged us into third on Saturday with a win at Horley Town. They are also in the League Cup, but arguably more importantly, they remain in the F.A. Vase and face an exciting trip to the newly formed Hereford FC in the Quarter Finals. I have a bit of an issue with this as it is quite obvious that even a reformed League club starting at Step Five will be a very strong one and not only will they more than likely dominate their division, leading to a wasted year for other clubs in their area as only one goes up, but they are able to enter the F.A. Vase too. I suggested at the start of the year that Hereford would play the reformed Salisbury City in the Final at Wembley, assuming they were kept apart in the draw, and I have seen nothing to change my mind on this yet. Inevitably there will be even more at the Hereford v Camberley game than there was when the Krooners travelled to Brentford for a First Round F.A. Cup tie in 1998, so they will make some money out of the deal, as did Hartley Wintney this weekend when 1,300 attended the village ground for Hereford's visit. However, a trip to Wembley would have earned more money still and a higher profile. I don't begrudge a club their chance of success, but a Quarter-Final between Hartley Wintney and Camberley would have done much more for the non-league game than Hereford will and I believe the time has come for the F.A. to rethink the reformation rules. Certainly in almost every case a club has reformed due to financial issues, but often reforms debt free and then get the chance to raise more money by beating much smaller clubs in a National competition. I think reformed clubs should have to wait one or maybe even two seasons before being able to enter the F.A. Vase in the same way that they are not allowed in the F.A. Cup in that first season and the same applies to a club that takes voluntary demotion (Sholing?). Otherwise we will see more reformed or demoted clubs winning these events which cannot be good for the game at our level as more clubs follow the same path in this difficult financial times. This isn't what the F.A. Vase was brought in for. Here's an early prediction. If Farnborough finish in a relegation position this season in the Ryman Premier as is looking likely, then under the terms of their administration agreement they would be relegated two steps straight into the Combined Counties League, where they would undoubtedly be installed as the hottest favourites since AFC Wimbledon were at this level. What price a trip to Wembley for them in the Vase next year? I'll be honest, I have a soft spot for the Krooners. I have known some of their supporters since the late eighties and they have had it tougher than us on the field for most of that time with some really horrible seasons on occasions. I really hope they find a way to get past Hereford, who will be fine, regardless of whether or not they make it to Wembley. For Camberley though it could mean a substantial amount, so good luck to them. After Tuesday's game of course! Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now! Following our trip on Tuesday we host Bedfont Sports at High Road on Saturday. Obviously we drew 2-2 over there in November in a match that will be remembered for other matters, not least the sending off of four members of the Epsom team and staff! I am sure our lads will want to put the record straight in a game where we led comfortably until the "incidents" and hopefully we can let our football do the talking that day. Come on you Salts!