West Hampstead surged to the top of the South League Division Two table after edging out Woking 5-4 in a hard-fought game at Woodhouse College, Finchley.

A late goal from Tom Kimberley clinched victory – and WH rounded off an excellent weekend by thrashing Old Merchant Taylor’s 6-0 in the EHB Cup the following day.

“It was a good game,” said central midfielder Ben Battcock. “Woking had a South African forward who had about 60 caps and was very handy. All they were trying to do was hit it to him.

“We had to work hard for the win and it shows how difficult this league is as Woking are one of the lower teams.”

West Hampstead raced into a 2-0 lead with early goals from Dave Leech and Rob Frampton, only for Denzil Dolley and Andy Pike to hit back and ensure deadlock at the break.

Tom Bullock reclaimed the advantage soon after the restart, collecting a pass from Battcock and working his way past two defenders to the top of the D before blasting the ball into the net.

Tim Wischusen extended West Hampstead’s lead soon afterwards, but Woking hit back with further goals from Dolley and Pike to leave the scores tied at 4-4 as the clock ticked down.

But Kimberley edged the home side back in front and, although Woking poured forward, their attempts to snatch a draw proved unsuccessful.

WH will face Tulse Hill & Dulwich, last year’s beaten EHB Cup finalists, in the next round.