Dial Square went back to the top of the table yesterday after a hard fought victory over the University of Surrey, at Alwyns Lane.

It was a gloriously sunny day and perfect conditions for football, but the game started out in pretty dismal fashion. Either more nerves or lack of effort were apparent in some areas of the pitch, but The Dial looked the better of the two teams inside the first 15 minutes.

The Skipper, who put in a remarkable display of effort throughout the afternoon, had the ball in the back of the net on 10 minutes, but he was adjudged to have been offside. We’ll never know if he really was, but 0-0 it stayed.

The fighting spirit of Watto resonated to our defence and it was a pleasure to see some assured, solid and committed tackling from the back four to preserve the 0-0 going into half-time.

A big mention must go to Zach Ward who on 30 minutes produced a superb double save to deny the visitors the lead, when it seemed certain to score.
He was called into action again moments before the half-time whistle, but when making another commanding stop, he was clattered into, but the referee didn’t blow his whistle.
It was to be the last action of the half and goalless it finished.

With two forward men in the shape of The Don and Joe Burrell brought on at half-time, The Dial looked more threatening straight away.
Just before the hour mark, some good build up play gave Nic the chance to shoot in the area, but his swivel and shot went comfortably over.

However, moments later, a delightful through-ball from Watto to Burrell on the right hand side was coolly finished by the sub. A great first touch allowed him momentum to carry the ball into the box and finish low and hard, into the bottom corner.

It finished 1-0 and put Dial Square top after Laleham went down 5-4 to Lightwater Utd, but it was credit to the individual performances of the keeper’ and back four of he home side, to earn a hard fought clean sheet and the victory.

MOTM - Keelan Brient

#DialSquareReborn