harlow271104

Lakin pleased with Pulman

Erith & Belvedere earned their first Saturday home victory of the season with a 3-2 victory against Harlow Town - a side they have already met twice this season.

The Deres went into the game level on points with the Essex side and were only separated by goal difference. The Deres had lost their last two games to inform Berkhamsted Town and Arlesey Town.

The home side showed no sign of their poor recent form when top goalscorer Chris Dickson latched onto the ball after two minutes. He sped his way to the byline before unleashing a teasing cross which confused an unfortunate Theo Daniels who turned the ball into his own net to give the Deres the early initiative.

Erith then pushed on for a second, playing some dazzling football in the process. New signing Ian Pulman impressed alongside strike partner Chris Dickson and Pulman got his reward when the ball was fed into him on the edge of the area. Town goalkeeper Jackson advanced to the edge of his area, but he couldn’t stop Pulman unleashing an exquisite lob which Jackson could do nothing about. The Deres had a two goal advantage after a quarter of an hour.

Erith and Belvedere dominated again and Dickson showed off some silky skills again. Pulman’s work rate and pace gave the Harlow side little time to orchestrate an attack. When they did get the chance to they took full advantage and there was little that Glen Knight in the Deres goal could do when Kelechi Opara slotted home on the break.

Harlow pushed on for an equaliser before half time, but the Deres held on to the lead and went in 2-1 up at the interval.

The Essex based side came out from the interval in search of an equaliser and had to wait fifteen minutes before they got one. The ball was crossed in from the left and Kelechi Opara converted the cross to tie the game on the hour mark to the delight of a decent Harlow contingent that had made the journey to Welling.

The Hawks couldn’t produce a comeback as Chatham Town did earlier in the season and the Deres began to take a grip of the game again, partly thanks to the very impressive Ian Pulman. Pulman was clattered down on the edge of the area by two Harlow defenders and earned a free kick. From the resulting dead ball situation the Deres were awarded another dead ball situation in the form of a corner. The ball was headed out for another corner on numerous occasions, but eventually the Deres were rewarded for their persistence when substitute Joe Nartey turned the ball in after a goalmouth scramble to give the Deres the lead. 

Unfortunately, the Harlow goalkeeper was injured during the scramble. After a ten minute delay he was strechered off and given a round of applause form both sets of fans.

Harlow could never respond, and it was the Deres who pushed on for another goal. Nartey blasted over  and Dickson had a penalty appeal turned down in stoppage time, but the Deres are now up to 15^th with this victory and will be hopeful of gaining maximum points from their next two games against mid-table Aveley and Sittingbourne.

Speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk editor Stephen McCartney on Sunday evening, Deres manager Barry Lakin praised Ian Pulman - who has scored three goals in four games, whilst on loan from Nationwide South side Margate.

"Ian is doing very well," he said.

"We needed some extra fire power and he is proving to be a great asset to the football club."

The former Chelmsford City academy coach admitted Pulman, 20, wants to further his stay with the Park View Road club, who entertain Folkestone Invicta in the John Ullmann Kent Senior Cup first round on Tuesday.

Lakin added: "He wants to further his month to a second month because he likes the set-up and he is enjoying his football.

"It was our first win at home on a Saturday so we've broken that voodoo and we look to win more games at home."

Lakin, however, has revealed he will call up defender Tony Dakin from the reserve team side for Tuesday's county cup clash with Ryman Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta.

"I will be looking to put out a very strong side against Folkestone.

"It's a good opportunity to test ourselves against better opposition.

"I think it will be a very difficult game.  It's a cup game - but if we play to our full potential and Folkestone have an off-day, it will be an upset.

"I think it's a game Folkestone can win.  I put them above us to winning the competition but it will be good for us to have a cup run.

"I've got Lewis Tozer out suspended for one-match and as we are short on centre halves, I will give reserve Tony Dakin his debut."

Lakin is aiming for a top-ten position by Christmas - and are only two points off that target - although the Deres are in 15th place in a heavily congested middle of the table.

"It was a great result so hopefully we can build on putting a run together and our aim is to be in the top ten by Christmas."

Erith & Belvedere: Knight, Schillci, Duckett (Maycock 73), Tozer (Capt), Williams, Pullman, Briggs, Abbott, Standen, Dickson, Fenton (Nartey 65)

Harlow Town: Jackson (Hasler 73), Daniels (Nougher 90), Warren, Chapman, Baptiste, Taylor, Lalite (Capt), Emmanuel, Ositola, Opara, Grandman (Boatang 73).