Massey hails debutant Smith as Whyteleafe win derby

Ryman Division One South

Whyteleafe 5

Merstham 2

Stuart Massey hailed debutant Joshua Smith after he played a significant part as Whyteleafe handed out some lessons to Merstham in Tuesday's derby.

The former Leatherhead right winger supplied crosses for three of Leafe's goals.

Boss Massey said: "He's about as near to a replacement for Sammy Butler [departed for Woking] as you could get.

"He's got great pace and it was a terrific debut."

The frenetic match was only five minutes old when Darren Watson took advantage of the referee playing on when Jason Goodchild was fouled to tuck the ball past Ian Chatfield to give the hosts the lead, which lasted a minute.

Merstham skipper Wes Goggin twisted left and right before firing past Gavin Dilley to score his first goal for the club.

Just before the quarter hour, Billy Marshall muscled past Fred Fleming and put the visitors 2-1 up. On the half-hour Smith, who had struck well at Chatfield a few moments before, put in a cross for Danny Oakins to level and eight minutes later Smith supplied Goodchild, who whacked the ball in to make it 3-2.

There were penalty appeals rejected at either end in a game spectators dared not take their eye off.

From another Smith cross, Chris O'Flaherty, who had flashed a shot wide before half-time, leapt high at the far post for the fourth on 53 minutes. The last came when Merstham's centre-backs were passing it between them in injury time, Craig Vernon was caught in possession and Kieran McCann accepted the chance to score.

Massey added: "For their two goals our defending was particularly poor.

"We started very well, got a goal, then we thought we were Barcelona and started playing at the back.

"I felt if we could get to half-time equal we could sort it out and go to win."

Saying it was a mistake to try to play "too much football" he said: "We learned our lessons and they didn't."

On this evidence, Leafe have the better unity to potentially push on up the table.

And they have stuck with Leafe, whose finances have been tight thanks to a succession of called off home games, including against Merstham on December 28 and last Saturday's game with Whitstable.

Massey, who like many in the game will be glad to see the back of winter, said: "We've got a good unit, a very strong bunch. We've got a couple of things to sort out financially with the lads but they have been brilliant and stood shoulder to shoulder with me and Matt Kember. It says a lot about the spirit within the squad."

Leafe, who face Worthing at home on Saturday, said: "They are in a difficult [financial] situation and we're looking forward to that game. We're just praying the weather allows the game to go ahead."

Defender Ellis Conroy is set to return in the reserves after three months out with ankle trouble. Lee Sidwell (knee) is a doubt.

Leafe's "really strong bench" gives Massey a selection headache and possibly won the game against Merstham. Mark Hammond, who has struggled with fitness, replaced Dan Aldous and Billy Harding was sent on for Darren Watson, both on 49 minutes.

For Merstham, Adam Moriaty, in midfield, produced much of what the visitors had to offer in the first half but weakened in the second