Ryman League Division One South
Merstham 4 Redhill 3
TEN-MAN Merstham beat local rivals Redhill on Bank Holiday Monday thanks to a brace from skipper Fabio Saraiva, the second of which was from the penalty spot.
The Moatsiders were already ahead when Aaron Rhule received his marching orders, but extended the lead despite the numerical disadvantage before Redhill scored a late consolation.
It was the visitors who dominated the opening ten minutes of the match, played in torrential rain. And they got the opening goal after just eight minutes, Tre Mitford capitalising on confusion in the Merstham defence.
Former Merstham striker Gavin Gordon caused problems for the home defence, but was denied a goal by a brave save from keeper Brannon Daly.
But after 15 minutes the game was level again when Merstham skipper Fabio Saraiva found the back of the net with a beautiful strike from distance.
The game was end to end without either keeper really being called into action however, on 44 minutes controversy struck. After a Merstham corner, Tre Mitford broke on the counter, pursued by Aaron Rhule. Just outside the box the Merstham man fouled the young striker, but only received a yellow for the cynical-looking challenge.
Redhill came out for the second half first, but mentally they looked still in the changing rooms as Omar Folkes' ball parted the Lobsters defence to find Tommy Hutchings in space, the striker finishing with aplomb on 48 minutes.
And minutes later it might have been three after the referee turned down what looked a good shout for a penalty after a foul on Folkes in the box.
And it should have been 3-1 on 52 minutes when, after a corner, Rory Hill aimed for the bottom corner of the net only to see Tom Bold stop the ball dead on the goalline and somehow drag the ball out.
The home side went close again after 56 minutes when, under pressure from Folkes, centre-back Jordan Anderson left the ball for keeper Adam Faith, but confusion saw the Merstham man collect the ball and run through on goal before a late tackle saved the Lobsters' blushes.
But just a minute later the Moatsiders were down to ten. Rhule received a second yellow for a unnecessary-looking handball in the Redhill box.
On 64 minutes it was finally 3-1. Substitute Sean Kelly brought down the tricky Folkes in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Skipper Saraiva stepped to put the penalty into the bottom right corner.
Redhill failed to capitalise on their extra man but Tom Bold did give the visitors a lifeline on 77 minutes, striking home through a crowded box to make it 3-2.
But no sooner had they reduced the deficit, the Moatsiders were two goals in front again. After a Hutchings corner, Faith palmed the ball into his own net, leaving the Lobsters defence despairing.
With two minutes to play the Reds grabbed a consolation through Leyton Regan, to make it 4-3.
