Ryman League Division One South

Walton & Hersham 2 Merstham 1

Two goals in the opening 15 minutes gave Walton & Hersham a comfortable victory against Merstham, whose performance was again unconvincing and left them with one win in 10 games.

Former Moatside striker Kevin Lock, who left for Chertsey in the summer, and new signing Martin Grant pounced on defensive errors from the visitors to hand the hosts a decisive first half advantage.

Craig Vernon grabbed a consolation penalty in injury time, but Merstham's spirited fightback came too late.

After a tentative start, Walton created the first chance as Ryan Lake drove into the penalty area but blasted over.

The hosts did not have to wait long for their opener as Peter Barkley's quick thinking from a free-kick on nine minutes allowed Graham Harper to run towards the right byline.

Harper fired a low cross towards Lock in the six-yard box and the striker made no mistake from close range.

Hersham extended their lead less than four minutes later. Lock flicked on Elliott Braithwaite's long ball towards his striking partner Grant, the division's second top scorer who recently signed from Walton Casuals, who calmly rounded Ian Chatfield and slotted the ball home from an acute angle.

Merstham's best opening came after 26 minutes but Braithwaite managed to block Craig Carley's attempt.

The second half showed an improvement by the visitors as Dale Marvell had Merstham's first shot in anger on 49 minutes but his long-range effort was comfortable held by Delroy Preddie.

Walton fluffed a great opportunity to put the game beyond doubt when Vernon's mistake allowed substitute Jordan Cheadle to put the ball on a plate for Tommy Williams but the midfielder volleyed over from six yards.

David Smith and Billy Marshall went on, but only when Graham Harper went off injured on 80 minutes, leaving Walton with 10, did they look vulnerable. Carley blasted over from close range and Gavin Gordon had a shot cleared off the line.

Merstham gained a controversial penalty when Neil Lampton's fierce shot struck former Whyteleafe defender Adam Broomhead's arm. Vernon fired the kick straight down the middle.

Preddie continued the protest by holding onto the ball. Although he was booked, the keeper still did not release the ball.

Merstham: Chatfield, Hancock, Moriarty, Hewitt (Frontin), Vernon, Lampton, Todd (Smith), Goggin (Marshall), Carley, Gordon, Marvell. Unused sub: Maan