Ruthless Forest Hill Park defeated Sporting Club Thamesmead to go top of the Southern Counties East Football League Division One.

When the two teams met in September last season, twenty-eight spectators attended. Following the merger between the hosts and Sunday league side SE Dons, there is a lot more interest and an additional one hundred and twenty came through the gate.

Early in the proceedings the visitors got themselves into a good position when Steve Karkari had time to pick someone out but his cross was just too high for Cameron MacMillan at the far post.

However, despite the visitors’ bright start, it was the hosts who went ahead in the eleventh minute. Reece Barrett squared to Alfie Saunders who spotted George Edwards making a run from left wing back. The former hit an immaculate fifty yard pass and Edwards drilled his shot inside the far post.

Karkari then evaded his marker to meet a Luke Alliband dead ball delivery but his free header flew wide before the hosts went two up just after the midway point of the first half. Ainsley Everett slipped Nathan Palmer in behind and he slotted it beyond Acre goalkeeper Ryan McCourt.

Four minutes later, Thamesmead reduced the arrears. A long throw was half cleared to Bachi Bari whose half volley on the turn flew into the top corner.

Charlie Dale forced his way through looking for an equaliser but was crowded out and could only stab it past the post. Then, just before half time, the Park had another opportunity with a free kick that Ryan Palmer hit just over.

After the break, a Ryan Palmer corner fell into the path of Jordan Johnson-Palmer who was denied by a brave block before Thamesmead were denied by a very tight offside call. Alliband sent over a free kick that Karkari headed home. He wheeled off in celebration while the defence held an inquest before anyone noticed the raised flag.

Another Alliband free kick was flicked on by a defender’s head into the path of MacMillan but the angle was against him and his shot flew over. MacMillan almost got in again when the hosts’ goalkeeper, Albert Penney, and a defender collided but his shot was blocked then Alliband sent a free kick straight into the midriff of Penney.

It wasn’t all one way traffic, though, and substitute Jack Sammoutis’ quick feet almost created a chance for himself but he was crowded out. However, his skills did create the all important third goal for the hosts at the start of stoppage time. He did all the work before playing it into the path of Nathan Palmer who tucked it into the empty net.

To their credit, Thamesmead still looked to attack but when Freddie Horlock shot wide, their last chance was gone and the noisy Forest Hill supporters were able to celebrate.

Forest Hill Park: Penney, Saunders, Edwards (Ansah 86), Johnson-Palmer, Nwitua, Barrett, R. Palmer, Carty (Sammoutis 64), Everett (King 85), N. Palmer, Wright.

Subs not used: Coker, McGonigle.

Goal scorers: Edwards (11), N. Palmer (25), (90+1)

Yellow cards: Edwards

Sporting Club Thamesmead: McCourt, Alliband, Simms, Dobson, Clark, Bari (Horlock 90+2), Dale (Main 86), White, Karkari, MacMillan (Fitton 73), McDonald (President 46).

Sub not used: Penton.

Goal scorers: Bari (29)

Yellow cards: MacMillan, Dale, Simms

Referee: Stephen Ryan

Assistants: Simon Cuthbert and Thomas Sansom

Attendance: 148