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Lakin wants bigger and better things for Deres

Erith and Belvedere’s woeful home record continued on Saturday when they lost to Arlesey Town, who prior to the game were filling the relegation spots along with league whipping boys Tilbury.

The Deres, who lost 2-0 to high flying Berkhamsted Town in the week, got off to a bad start. 

Arlesey Town, who won the prestigious FA Vase in the mid nineties brought good support with them, and the “blues” fans didn’t have to wait long to be rewarded for making the trip to Welling from Bedfordshire.

The ball was crossed in to an unmarked Liam Harrold and the former St.Neots striker made no mistake in heading home and giving the away side the lead after two minutes.

But the Deres came straight back at the Bedfordshire outfit and were awarded a penalty during the Deres first attack of the match. Ian Pullman converting the penalty with a bit of help from the post. The Deres were level after four minutes.

Arlesey then took a grip on the game and deservedly regained the lead on twelve minutes when another cross met the head of Liam Harrold who headed the ball into the corner of a helpless Glen Knight’s net. It was almost a carbon copy of Arlesey’s first goal.

Arlesey continued to dominate and the ball was rarely out of the Deres half. Arlesey almost doubled their lead on twenty minutes when a shot fizzled in and was somehow tipped away for a corner by Knight.

On 28 minutes, for the first time of the match the Deres put together a string of good passes and the Arlesey defence were left confused when Dean Standen slotted the ball in the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2 just before the half hour mark.

A few minutes later and Arlesey had a chance to regain the lead when Dilnutt made a run from the half way line before unleashing a powerful shot which flew over the bar by inches. The Deres were lucky to go in level at half time.

In contrast the second half was dull, with neither side having a clear chance to steal victory. A disappointing Chris Dickson was replaced by Joe Nartey on 58 minutes by Deres boss Barry Lakin.

Nartey brought a bit of life to the game but it wasn’t enough to give the Deres the lead for the first time in the game.

On eighty minutes the inevitable happened when in a similar move to the Deres first goal Arlesey took a 3-2 lead when Harrold slotted home from close range.

The Deres showed little fight of coming back to salvage a point and their fate was sealed when Arlesey scored an injury time penalty.

The Deres now slip to 18th and Arlesey climb out of the relegation zone.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk editor Stephen McCartney on Sunday evening, Deres manager Barry Lakin admitted his young side got what they deserved.

He said: "We just got found out with too many youngsters in the team and we just couldn't cope with their physical presence, and got what we deserved.

"We didn't play very well, and put an end to a run of six games where we played well."

Harlow Town are the visitors to Park View Road next Saturday in what is a "six-pointer" in a game the Deres have to win to climb away from the drop zone area.

Lakin, however, has set his sights higher.

"I suppose it's a six-pointer," he said.

"We don't have any worries about being near the bottom of the league.

"I've got a good enough squad, I am looking to add to that with some older players.

"Once again the aim is to be top ten by Christmas and push on for a play-off place at the end of the season."

Lakin, who missed out on the capture of Glenn McTaggart from Kent League neighbours Erith Town last week, added: "He decided to stay at Erith Town and I hope it works out for him but he missed out playing at a higher level."

And on management, Lakin admitted: "To be honest, I am learning every week and in every training session.

"And for all the stress it gives me I really love being involved in football and look to do bigger and better things at Erith & Belvedere."