TWO early goals helped Merstham record an important victory away at Whitstable Town last night (Thursday).
Simon Cooper and Fabio Saraiva scored within the first 17 minutes to put the Moatsiders 2-0 ahead at the Belmont, with the visitors overcoming a delay due to floodlight failure to take control of the match.
Saraiva and striker Tommy Hutchings had chances to increase the Moatsiders' lead, while Whitstable almost reduced the deficit before the break as Merstham goalkeeper Brannon Daly clawed away a deflected effort.
Whitstable improved after the break and pressed forward in search of a goal to get themselves back in the game.
However, they were almost caught out on the break as Saraiva fired over from a yard out.
And Whitstable made the visitors pay with a goal on the hour mark, when Joe Kane turned and fired into the corner of the net to give the hosts hope.
Both sides had chances to add to the score in the final half hour, but neither could find a way through as Merstham held on for the win, despite the dismissal of Jack Guildford late on for a second bookable offence.
