Badshot Lea 1, Banstead Athletic 0

A GOAL from Mac Ford midway through the first half ended Badshot Lea’s poor run of form as they edged out high-flying Banstead Athletic at Krooner Park on Saturday.

Ford was quickest to react when the ball was fired in from a corner and he hit it high into the roof of the net for what proved to be the winner against their lofty Premier Division opponents.

It was only Lea’s second win in eight attempts and relieved the pressure after a 5-0 defeat at Cobham the previous week and a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Cray Valley in the FA Trophy.

Manager Keith Hills made several changes to his starting line-up and handed a home debut to Brad Sweeney, who played in the lone striker role in place of the injured Jack May.

Lea played down the slope in the first half at Krooner Park, their temporary home in Camberley, and caught the eye from the off, playing with a great tempo.

And they duly dominated the first 20 minutes and forced the visiting goalkeeper into a couple of fine saves before Ford struck.

At the other end, Banstead’s threats were comfortably dealt with by a disciplined Lea defence which was marshalled by goalkeeper Jordan Clement.

The second half was a different story as Banstead had the lion’s share of possession as they attacked down the Krooner slope.

Clement was forced to make two stunning saves from headers inside the six-yard box to keep Lea in front as Banstead won a series of corners while the woodwork came to the home side’s rescue on 65 minutes as a shot from outside the area beat Clement but hit the inside of the post and bounced clear to safety.

Relying on counter-attacking football in the face of Banstead’s relentless pressure, Lea almost doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Connor Blanchard found himself in on goal but hit the post under pressure from a defender with the Athletic goalkeeper beaten.

And Banstead were reduced to 10 men just before the final whistle as Lea held on for three valuable points.

nOn Saturday, Lea face a tough trip to Redhill, who are second in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League.

Badshot Lea: Clement, Hutchings, Pound, Goodfellow, Allen, Norman, Ford, Thripp, Roberts, Sweeney, Blanchard. Subs: Close, Blake, Brainch, K Francis, Campbell.