Cup final special: Merstham 3 AFC Guildford 0

Merstham made manager Mick Sullivan proud by defeating AFC Guildford 3-0 at Woking's Kingfield Stadium, in the Combined Counties Premier Challenge Cup Final.

Sullivan's side showed there was no gap in quality between the two sides, despite Merstham being six places lower than AFC Guildford in the division, and comfortably won their first cup final in 14 years.

After a shaky start from both sides as cup final nerves set in, Merstham keeper Colin Harris was tested six minutes in when a poor clearance by team mate Danny Fitzgerald hit the crossbar and was forced clear by centre back Craig Vernon.

Merstham got their first real opportunity of the game on 28 minutes when great link-up play between Emmy Barr-James and Jamel Carr found Rhod Davies. But he missed his chance, shooting straight at AFC Guildford Keeper Arjuna Adlam.

Confidence started to grow as Merstham created more openings, with midfielders Mark Hunter and Adam Carvell having efforts on goal.

It was only a matter of time before Merstham took the lead and in the 33rd minute Jamel Carr converted a Rhod Davies cross to put his side in front and send the Merstham fans wild.

Merstham continued to pile the pressure on the Guildford defence before the break, but were kept at bay until three minutes after half-time when Davies skilfully passed two defenders and let loose a powerful strike which keeper Adlam could not stop to put Merstham 2-0 up.

As time rolled on, Merstham continued to hold the ball well and Guildford became more and more frustrated losing their concentration on many occasions.

It wasn't long before Barr-James took advantage of Guildford's lack of enthusiasm, tearing down the left to find Carr running into the box. He was tripped by a desperate Guildford defender and referee Rowley pointed straight to the spot.

The decision incensed some of the Guildford players. The whole game took a long time to calm down.

After the distraction had stopped, Merstham penalty taker Craig Vernon stepped up in the 90th minute to comfortably put away Merstham's third and final goal of the game.

A large amount of injury time had to be played but by then the game was all over and Mick Sullivan's side were crowned winners of the Premier Challenge Cup.

Merstham: Harris, Vernon, Fitzgerald, Boulter, Brown, Carvell (Roleio-Doe), Carr, Hunter, Barr-James (Traynor), Davies (Imms), Campbell