There were no quarters given when Lewisham Borough hosted Forest Hill Park in as local a derby as it’s possible to get.

Both teams play at the Ladywell Arena and a new record of one hundred and ninety spectators cheered every crunching tackle in a game played at break-neck speed under the floodlights.

Daniel Balogun almost put Forest Hill ahead with a drive that rippled the side netting and came back off the stanchion, but the wrong side of the post. However, it was the hosts who went ahead. Edward Asiamah twisted and turned before crossing deep and Darrell Thompson took his time to control it and fire into the net.

Thompson had a great chance to make it two but fired over after good work by Zacchius Ajose before Khiani Shombe made a great save for nothing. Tyreece Webb’s shot took a deflection that sent it towards the bottom corner but the referee deemed the block to be a handball and blew his whistle immediately. Gavin Tomlin took the free kick but Shombe got across to punch it away.

Another Asiamah cross found Thompson who knocked it back for Bryan Zepo. He shot straight into the ground and it lobbed up drifting just past the post with Matt Bailey struggling to get across.

Asiamah ran at the Forest Hill defence before shooting beyond the far post then Ryan Penton sent a free kick wide of the Lewisham goal.

In the last minute of the first half, Forest Hill drew level. Baciro Baci was sent clear down the right wing before cutting in, laying it off to Gavin Tomlin, bursting into the area, receiving it back, and crashing it beyond Shombe.

They might have gone ahead in stoppage time but Shombe did well to tip over when Penton’s corner looked like it was going straight in.

Zepo had a shot saved easily early in the second half before the hosts were reduced to ten men just shy of the hour mark. Nicholas Harvey flew in aggressively and although his tackle didn’t cause serious injury, the referee saw it as dangerous and showed him his red card. Penton took the free kick but it flew over. 

John Osagie worked his way through for Forest Hill only to spoon his shot wide before he he got himself sent off with two minutes remaining. Having previously been cautioned for not allowing Lewisham to take a quick free kick, he repeated the offence and was shown a second yellow card.

Before they had a chance to reorganise themselves, Lewisham scored what turned out to be the winner. A wayward pass allowed Zepo a shooting chance and he took full advantage by firing home off the post from twenty-five yards.

Nine and a half minutes of stoppage time were played but Forest Hill couldn’t create another opportunity and it was the hosts who claimed the bragging rights.

Lewisham Borough: Shombe, Sequeira, Harvey, Williamd, Amponsah, Thomas, Asiamah, Adeyinka, Zepo (Horlock 90+4), Thompson (Shehu 90), Ajose (Sineen 69).

Sub not used: Palmer. 

Goal scorers: Thompson (17), Zepo (90)

Yellow cards: Ajose, Williams

Red card: Harvey

Forest Hill Park: Bailey, Baci (Lawal 83), Sotonwa, R. Sunmonu, Penton, A. Sunmonu (Apena 68), Gafaar, Webb (Soloman 79), Tomlin (Osagie 45+4), Balogun, Eaton-Burton (Obianigwe 46).

Goal scorers: Baci (45)

Yellow cards: Gafaar, Osagie

Red card: Osagie

Referee: Hamish Louie

Assistants: Alistair Lloyd and Alison Wade

Attendance: 190