Merstham 0-4 Dulwich Hamlet

Two goals in each half from The Hamlet took them to the top of the table in a clinical display against a previously in form Merstham side.

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Gavin Rose was able to welcome back Reise Allassani from injury and restore Ibrahim Kargbo to the starting line-up following his suspension. However, Michael Chambers was missing, with Rickie Hayles coming in, and Nana Boakye-Yiadom dropping to the bench.

Merstham made a bright start and were the side showing more attacking intent in the opening ten minutes. They did have the ball in the net in the 13th minute after Preston Edwards could only parry a shot but the Assistant's flag went up for offside.

The first flowing attack from Dulwich saw them take a 14th minute lead. Reise Allassani got around his marker on the right and he then produced a great pass across the penalty area to Tanashe Abrahams arriving at the far post. Abrahams then picked out Nathan Ferguson arriving from midfield and the tall midfielder thumped the ball home.

Dulwich then doubled the lead just four minutes later. This time Nathan Ferguson threaded a pass through the Merstham defence to release Reise Allassani on goal. He rounded Chris Haigh in the home goal and rolled the ball into the unguarded net.

However, despite conceding two quick goals, Merstham fought back and, after a fine move down the left had seen the ball fired wide of the near post, Preston Edwards then had to produce a great double save to prevent a goal and followed that with a good low save on the half hour.

However, Dulwich were able to preserve their two goal lead until the half time break despite the best efforts of the home forwards.

Half Time 0-2

Merstham again started the second half brightly and Preston Edwards had to make a good low save from a free kick in the 50th minute, after Dulwich had been caught in possession through some sloppy play.

Despite Merstham once again having the better of the possession it was Dulwich who struck again in the 55th minute. A poor pass.across field was intercepted by Nathan Ferguson and he instantly released Reise Allassani in behind the home defence to comfortably beat Haigh.

Dulwich were now content to soak up anything the home side could throw at them and look to strike on the break; which is exactly what they did to add a fourth goal in the 75th minute. Nyren Clunis picked up the ball just outside his own penalty area and set off on a run downfield, before slipping the ball to Reise Allassani to beat the advancing Haigh and guarantee that there would be no chance of a fightback.

In fact, Dulwich could have added further goals as Nana Boakye-Yiadom twice fired into the side netting when well placed, Muhammadu Faal was foiled by a timely intervention from Haigh and Nyren Clunis fired just over in the final minute.

Final Score 0-4