Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Merstham FC eventually got their Premier Challenge quarter-final cup-tie played on Tuesday night and it was worth the wait as they beat Sandhurst 3-2

Merstham midfielder Mark Hunter silenced the Sandhurst supporters in the 88th minute by shooting in a quality cross from team mate Jamel Carr.

The visitors had made a great start, pressuring the Sandhurst defence. Then the unthinkable happened: A mis-timed back pass from Sandhurst defender Aaron Roberts left keeper Paul Cann to collect the loose ball, but unfortunately the ball bobbled off the hard and frosty pitch at the last moment, giving Merstham's Meshach Nugent the opportunity to tap in a first minute lead.

Sandhurst were troubled by the early goal allowing Carr time to strike a thunderbolt shot seconds later forcing a tremendous save from Cann.

Merstham's good start began to ease off and Sandhurst began to play and in the 15th minute deep sloppy defending gave Mark Anderson too much time on the ball.

The striker saw a gap to curl in a left foot strike just outside the box and, with keeper Colin Harris out of position, it was more than a welcoming invitation for an off the post equaliser.

Sandhurst dominated possession, a counter attack by the Fizzers forcing keeper Harris to handball outside his area. He was only shown a yellow for the careless mistake.

Merstham's Rob Hill was denied a goal after keeper Cann stuck a foot out for a corner. But there was no stopping Hill; the corner was knocked on by team mate Russ Morgan which fell nicely for the on form defender who made sure he beat the keeper the second time round.

Frequent bombardment by the home side began to tire Merstham out and a cross into Merstham's goal area forced keeper Harris to react, but at the same time he managed to push the ball backwards into his own net.

A difficult situation for Merstham to grasp that unfortunately for them found Sandhurst back level at two a piece.

With the anguish of extra-time looming both benches looked to their substitutes in order to try and turn the game around.

This paid off for Merstham when, in the 88th minute, a storming run down the right by Carr found himself one on one with a Sandhurst defender.

The nippy midfielder passed his marker with the use of a little showboating before picking out Hunter in space. Hunter struck the ball cleanly first time, the powerful shot hit the inside of the crossbar and rolled down the inside netting.

Merstham now meet CCL Division One outfit Hanworth Villa in the semi-final.

ic Surrey Online ~ Sandhurst