Dial maintained their great start to 2024 with a comfortable 3-0 win away at Milford & Witley on Saturday (13 Jan) in the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division.

While the hosts had only mustered one win in their previous nine league fixtures, the bumpy pitch at Burton Pavilion presented a potential ‘banana skin’ for The Dial.

Boss Steve Brown selected an almost unchanged line-up from the side that beat Laleham & Kempton 8-2, with defender Arnie Linturn replacing Louie Rogers in the back four and Sam Jennings coming into the 16-man squad.

Milford came close to opening the scoring when Ollie Whiteman’s back-post header went across goal and out for a goal-kick midway through the first half.

James Vass had a great opportunity to put Dial ahead two minutes later, but his low shot went agonisingly wide of the far upright.

At the other end, Andy Rider was called into action to push Jack Stow’s 25-yard piledriver around the post to keep the hosts at bay.

However, it was Dial that broke the deadlock five minutes before half-time when Jordan Carter squared the ball for Harry Rice, who side-footed the ball home from just four yards.

Charlie Marshall had a great opportunity to double Dial’s advantage eight minutes after the interval, but he curled his shot wide of the onrushing Ryan Simmons and the far post.

But the second goal wasn’t far away when Carter swivelled on the penalty spot before firing his shot past Simmons to ease any nerves after 59 minutes.

And when George Lawrence made it 3-0 eight minutes later, there was no way back for Milford who failed to register a single shot on goal in the second period.

The win maintains Dial’s one-point lead over Farncombe, who beat fellow promotion chasers Ripley Village, and with a game in hand.

Speaking after the match, Brown said: “Credit to Milford, they made it difficult for us in the first-half, but I thought we came into our own in the second period and dominated the match.

“The spirit around the club is excellent, which I thought was reflected in the team's performance in tough conditions. I was especially pleased for the back five [incl. goalkeeper] for keeping a clean sheet, as they worked hard throughout to thwart Milford at every opportunity.

"I also want to thank all the fans for making the trip to Milford to support the team - it's always appreciated," added Brown.

Dial Line-Up: Rider, Neville, Linturn (Vassell), Phillips, Vass, Bunyan, Carter (Lawrence), Rose-Davies (Auns), Rice (Jennings), Lawrence (McDermaid), Marshall (Cenzano).

MOTM: Jordan Carter

Dial are next in action against Laleham & Kempton in the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Challenge Cup at Alwyns Lane. 1:30pm kick-off.