Combined Counties Division One

Coulsdon United 0

South Park 3

South Park put their defeat to Croydon Municipal behind them and defeated strugglers Coulsdon United, but only after a late surge.

The first half saw both sides struggling to come to terms with the ice.

Park's passing was wayward and they lacked the penetration to unlock the defence, with only speculative efforts from Gareth Whiting-Balcombe, Danny Stone and Chris Smith to show for their hard work.

Coulsdon, who lost their Boxing Day match 8-1 to Worcester Park, started the second half as the livelier of the two sides.

South Park keeper James Polley had to be alert to make two saves to keep the scores level.

Around the hour mark, Park began to create chances. However, shots from Dale Burgess and Whiting-Balcombe were comfortably saved.

With the game heading for a goalless draw, manager Joe McElligott introduced his three substitutes, Jason Mellows, Tom Bull and Bradley Johnson.

It was those replacements who turned the game Park's way.

Bull, in a holding midfield role, immediately found his passing range, something that Park had been lacking, and this allowed Burgess, Smith and Johnson to stretch the tiring Coulsdon defence.

On 81 minutes Park won a corner and during the tousle for the ball, Burgess was bundled to the ground by the Coulsdon keeper.

Smith stepped up and calmly stroked the penalty home to give the visitors the lead.

Three minutes later the lead was doubled when a Mellows through ball found Johnson 16 yards from goal, and his right foot volley beat the keeper at the near post.

Johnson bagged his second of the game in the final minute when he ran on to Whiting-Balcombe's ball over the top of the defence to round the oncoming keeper and place his shot into the corner of the net.

South Park play Knaphill at home on Saturday January 2.

South Park: Polley, Avery, Sinclair, Wilson, Channon, Whiting-Balcombe, O'Sullivan, Smith, Jones, Burgess, Stone.

Subs: Mellows, Bull, Johnson