Met Police gained a deserved win on Saturday, but made hard work of it.

Both sides appeared very nervous during the first half and constantly made mistakes and gave the ball away.

The Police, however, could have scored inside the opening 60 seconds.

A confident handball appeal inside the Fleet Town area was turned down, followed by a Scott Forrester 15 yard goal bound volley which unfortunately hit the back of another Police player and re-bounded away.

Both sides had ample opportunities to score but failed to take their chances.

A corner taken by Steve Sargent fell onto the chest of Stuart Harte but somehow Merstham goal keeper Ian Chatfield managed to pluck the ball away from him Michael Morgan playing up field for the visitors certainly was their most talented player.

Merstham striker Ross White had the best opportunity but his 20 yard shot was well saved by a diving Police goal keeper Mo Maan.

Into the second half and a great movement by the Police found Jon Henry-Haden beating the off side trap and then from only 6 yards out volleying the ball over the bar.

Police striker Jamie Byatt ran all over the pitch but could not get the ball into the net.

He had one great movement down the left wing before cutting inside along the end line and somehow rounding two defenders.

His cross was blocked by another defender and put out of play for a corner.

Vernon Francis playing up front for the Police had a header well saved by Chatfield.

This was followed by an accurate Jamie Byatt free kick which found Gary Drewett who header from 6 yards out was well saved again by Chatfield.

The only goal of the match was scored on 63 minutes. A high cross into a packed area was met 8 yards out by Police defender Ron Edwards whose firm header soared into the back of the net.

As the game progressed into the final 15 minutes more chances from both sides were missed.Kwabena Agyei finally got the ball into the Police net only for the off side flag to be raised.

A good through ball found the Police defence on the wrong foot allowing two forwards to surge forward.

Fortunately an alert Mo Maan rushing out to the edge of his area just smothered the ball first. It got worse into stoppage time as three shots in succession were blocked on the Police goal line.

It was far from over and Jamie Byatt had a wonderful 40 yard run into the Merstham half. With two colleagues clear and unmarked on his left he chose to have a shot on goal which was easily saved by the keeper rather than pass the ball.