Whyteleafe slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season, going down 5-1 at home to Merstham - who in turn strengthened their hold on the Ryman Division One South play-off places.

To rub salt into the wounds, Leafe were undone partly by a hat-trick from former Church Road favourite Omar Folkes.

Leafe got off to bright start and took an early lead when, in the third minute, Roscoe DSane broke down the left and found Jensen Grant in the box, and he was brought down by Osa Obamwonyi and a penalty awarded.

Jason Thompson took the spot kick and hammered it into the top corner of the net.

Merstham responded strongly and played some fine attractive football. Leafe keeper Sheikh Ceesay had to be alert to deny Taurean Roberts before Obamwonyi headed just wide from a corner.

Your Local Guardian:

Good start: Jason Thompson fires Leafe ahead from the penalty spot

At the other end, Thompson had a chance with a free kick from just inside 30 yards striking it well but straight at keeper Brannon Daly.

Merstham equalised after 17 minutes when Fabio Saraiva sent Folkes clear and he slotted the ball past Ceesay into the net.

A minute later Roberts broke clear for Merstham, beat the out-rushing Ceesay to the ball and chipped him, but into the side netting.

Leafe then had another couple of chances, Roscoe DSane curling a shot wide and Thompson sending another free kick over the bar.

But the visitors looked strong and were denied by Ceesay on the half hour when he was quickly out to save bravely at the feet of Aaron Rhule. 

The visitors took a half time lead when Obamwonyi bundled the ball in from close range from Saraiva’s corner.

Merstham dominated the second half and had looked the more likely to score, enjoying long periods of possession.

The expected goal came when Folkes extended their lead in the 69th minute when he went on a run from midfield and hit a fine shot into the top corner of goal.

Your Local Guardian:

Substitute Tommy Hutchings then set him up for his hat-trick three minutes later on his return to his former hunting ground.

Whyteleafe manager John Fowler made some changes but made little leeway, creating only one further chance when Clayton was brought down on the edge of the box in the 81st minute, and Thompson’s free kick went well over the bar.

The scoring was completed with the last kick of the match, Hutchings again the provider, this time finding Tom Howard who found the back of Ceesay’s net.

Leafe return to action this weekend at East Grinstead Town.

Whyteleafe: Ceesay, Patterson-Bohner, Bird, Thompson, Merchant, Graham, Fowler (Lyle 76), Grant, DSane, Clayton, Henry (Andrews 73). Subs not used Penfold, Smith, Pratt.

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian:

Your Local Guardian: