Tadley Calleva focussing on themselves as play-off race heats up in Combined Counties

Tadley Calleva enjoyed a big win on Saturday to reignite their play-off hopes.

They lost 5-1 away to AFC Whyteleafe a week earlier, but responded with an emphatic 5-2 victory over visitors Epsom and Ewell.

Tadley had a penalty within five minutes, as winger Alex Miller was brought down in the box.

Striker Kieran Rodgers made no mistake from the spot to hand his side an early lead.

Epsom did fight back though, hitting the Tadley bar a few minutes later to keep the hosts on their toes.

In the 34th minute it was Ash Neal who stepped up to double the lead, meeting Miller’s free-kick and bundling the ball home for a 2-0 lead at the break.

Ten minutes into the second-half Rodgers was at it again, as Tadley hit Epsom on the break and he found the bottom-right corner expertly.

Epsom got one back just minutes later, but Rodgers completed his hat-trick to quell any fears, sliding a shot under the keeper for 4-1.

Epsom scored an easy second, as their striker tapped one in, before they were shown two red cards for the closing stages.

Tadley took advantage, as sixteen-year-old Olly Rowan arrived from the bench to score his first goal for Calleva and end the game at 5-2.

“Prior to the Whyteleafe game we were unbeaten in four,” reflected manager Joe Lawler.

“It was nice to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

“It was quite an emphatic win, it could have been more.”

Rodgers’ hat-trick was the highlight, as Tadley’s talisman continued to do what he does best.

“The really pleasing thing is how consistent he is,” he said.

“And there’s so much more room for him to grow.

“It’s exciting for him. He gets better season on season.

“I think the improvements will continue.”

Tadley have a renewed chance of making the play-offs.

Saturday’s win brought them to within eight points of the final spot, with a game in hand.

“We’re concentrating on ourselves,” he revealed.

“This league has been more difficult this year. A lot of teams have really gone for it.

“There’s not a lot we can do to influence what happens.

“The camp is excited and in a good place.

“The next four are going to be very important, but we’ll take it game by game.

“I think we’ve improved in a number of ways this season and we’ll look to continue that next year.

“Whatever happens, we’ve got a good platform.”