Gareth Williams netted his second hat-trick for Croydon Athletic as they thumped Merstham 5-1 at the Moatside.

The Rams are currently second in the league but are expected to be promoted to league leaders later this week with Folkestone Invicta set to be deducted 10 points for entering into a Company Voluntary Agreement.

Early chances fell to the Rams, with Gareth Williams and Rory Hill both coming close in the opening 10 minutes with their goal attempts going just wide.

In the 14th minute, Ben Godfrey had a shot on the turn after being put through by the impressive Chris Piper.

In the 22nd minute, some good play from Godfrey saw him cross the ball into the box for Gareth Williams who netted his fifth goal since his arrival to put the Rams one up.

The hardworking Rory Hill passed three players on his run into the penalty box, and his cross came across to Piper, but his shot went over the bar.

It was one-way traffic for the Rams as Danny Waldren saw his long range shot go just over the bar.

On a rare Merstham attack, Mu Maan’s long range effort went over the crossbar at the other end of the field.

Piper had another good effort in the 44th minute, but Ian Chatrfield in the Merstham goal pulled off a good save to deny the Rams’ midfielder.

As the half drew to a close in the 45th minute, Hill pulled something out of the bag for Croydon with the best goal of the game – a beautifully placed shot chipped over the keeper similar to the one he got against Chipstead a month back.

The second half began with Tom Bolarinwa’s shot well parried out by the Merstham keeper and Nicky Morgan in the Croydon goal pulled off a good save against Dale Marvell.

Merstham looked determined to get back in the game though, and looked more dangerous in the opening 10 minutes of the half.

In the 60th minute, the home side got a corner and the inswinging ball was met by Craig Vernon who finished well to give Merstham hope of getting something from the match.

Another Merstham attack was intercepted well with a strong challenge by Hill for Croydon, and with Jeremy Williams and Daniel Sintim putting on a solid defensive display, the home side found it hard to find a breakthrough and add to their score. The Rams gradually reclaimed their dominance, and a Gareth Williams shot was cleared off the line.

However, he did get on the scoresheet once more in the 73rd minute, putting the Rams 3-1 up and netting his second of the game. Another Hill-Piper link up saw Piper’s shot smash against the crossbar to deny Croydon a fourth goal.

However they did not have to wait long and in the 87th minute a lovely cross in from lively substitute Leslie Thompson gave Gareth Williams his hat-trick. Barely had the match restarted when Gary Noel got his name on the scoresheet with a well taken goal in the 90th minute to complete a happy day out for the Rams.

Croydon Athletic: Nicky Morgan, Joe Howe, Chris Bourne, Danny Waldren (Bentley Graham, 84), Jeremy Williams, Daniel Sintim, Tom Bolarinwa (Leslie Thompson, 70), Chris Piper, Ben Godfrey (Gary Noel, 64), Gareth Williams, Rory Hill. Subs not used: Neil Smith, Goma Lambu