Erith & Belvedere 0-2 VCD Athletic - We didn't want to exit two cups in a week, says Ricky Bennett

With the tie all square following the 1-1 first leg draw at Oakwood a week ago, VCD Athletic became the first team to book their place in the last four with two second half goals at Park View Road.

Diminutive striker, Lewis Wood, who celebrates his 29th birthday tomorrow, set the ball rolling for the Crayford based side, before right wing-back Daryl Wheeler sealed the victory with a late screamer.

Vickers boss Ricky Bennett was keen to win, especially after his side were knocked out of the Kent Senior Trophy by Tunbridge Wells at the weekend.

“They didn’t need a lot of motivating because they are energetic, really enthusiastic, a bit too enthusiastic at times some of the youngsters, but the motivation is we got beat on Saturday to Tunbridge Wells in a Cup and we didn’t want to go out of two Cups in a week basically,” said Bennett, puffing away at a cigarette.

Tenth-placed Erith & Belvedere enjoyed the better of the first half against a VCD Athletic side in third place in the Kent League table, seven points behind leaders Herne Bay, with three games in hand.

Striker Andrew Dalhouse’s strength was causing the visitors’ problems, although he must learn to lead the line better as he was flagged for offside on numerous occasions.

The first keeper to be called into serious action was Erith & Belvedere’s Richard Stroud, who dived to his left to prevent Tom Gamblin’s deflected effort off right-back Allan Matthews from sailing into the corner of the net.

An excellent through ball split open the Vickers defence in the 15th minute to send Dalhouse though on goal, but his low left-footed drive was blocked by Jack Bradshaw’s legs.

Both sides used different formations at various times during the game, but Erith & Belvedere were the side that looked the more likely to score before the interval.

Marcus Cassius, who was later withdrawn through a pulled thigh strain, released Luke Coleman down the right and his driven centre was met at the far post by the 12-goal striker, who nipped in front of his marker to poke wide.

Allan Matthews’ right-wing out-swinging corner was met by a bullet header from Matt Newman, but Cassius flicked his header past the post when well placed.

Adrian Deane picked out Cassius on the half-hour mark and the former Bromley striker was denied by another smart save from Bradshaw, when he only had the Vickers’ keeper to beat.

VCD Athletic withstood the pressure that the home side threw at them for the opening half-an-hour and almost snatched a 36th minute lead when Greg Benbow’s right-wing corner was met by a bullet header from Karl Dent, which was blocked in a crowded goal-mouth.

Wood then sent a hooked volley looping over the crossbar on the stroke of half-time as the visitors broke down the right, but the second half was a much better performance from Vickers.

They almost broke the deadlock after just 40 seconds into the half when Dent and Wheeler combined to release substitute Jack Asbury down the right and the right-back centred the ball across the penalty area where Dent lashed a left-footed drive past the post.

But VCD Athletic did opening the scoring in the 48th minute, courtesy of Wood’s eleventh goal of the season.

Benbow played a delightful through ball which split open the home side’s defence to release Wood through on goal down the inside left-channel and the former Cray Wanderers striker fired a low shot past Richard Stroud to beat the keeper at his near post.

“It was a great finish to be honest,” added Bennett.  “I think he’s given the keeper the eye.  I suppose the keeper will be disappointed to be beat on his near post but I think Lew’s given him the eyes and just rolled it in the corner. It was a good finish!”

Erith & Belvedere almost responded when talented Adrian Deane stepped up and curled a right-footed free-kick around the wall and past the left-hand post from 28-yards, the diving Bradshaw relieved to see the ball just miss the target.

Wheeler then released Wood down the right channel and the striker’s low drilled shot was blocked by the keepers feet.

Bennett paid tribute to his skipper Gary Cook, the 29-year-old central defender, who kept Cassius in his pocket and encouraged his younger team-mates for the whole game.

Bennett said: “Cookie’s a fantastic player.  He could have been playing Ryman football again this season but I’m really chuffed to have him again.  He’s a leader and he helps out the young ones but his playing is spot on.  Today he dealt with everything and he’s a calming influence around the squad.

“They’re always going to have a go, obviously they’re at home and you don’t go out on a whimper.  Micky (Collins) wouldn’t have that of any of his sides to be fair so we knew they would have a go but I think we defended as a team second half superb.”

VCD Athletic created another chance in the 63rd minute, but this time Stroud hurt himself for making a crucial save.

Wood’s flick released Gamblin through on goal and he was denied by a fine block by Stroud, who needed treatment for around three minutes for a bruised shin.

Erith & Belvedere should have grabbed an equaliser in the 68th minute when Matthews’ long throw into the penalty box found it’s way towards the far post and Dalhouse sent an acrobatic overhead kick crashing against the crossbar from eight-yards with Bradshaw beaten.

Home keeper Stroud made two fine low saves from two drilled low right-footed free-kick’s from Dent from central positions, before VCD Athletic sealed progress with five minutes left.

Wood was released down the inside right channel and he cut the ball back for Wheeler, who slammed a left-footed screamer into the corner of the net from 25-yards, giving Stroud no chance.

Bennett praised Wheeler, saying, “Great finish!  He’s got bags of ability, still learning the position that we’re playing him.  He’s got fantastic feet so I’m really pleased for him.  

“There’s a few players in the side that have got goals in them and they’re not chipping in so I’m really pleased with that.”

Speaking about Wheeler’s role on the pitch, Bennett said: “First half, he was more like a right wing-back but we changed the shape a bit to be honest.  He’s is more so of a right winger if you like but he’s learning the position.  When we play that way he’s got to be able to do both bits of it.”

Bennett changed his formation again with Wood as the lone striker in a 4-5-1 set-up as they protected their lead successfully for the remainder of the game, although Deres’ skipper John Wilfort smashed a right-footed drive wide of the right hand post from 35-yards, before Dalhouse turned and stroked a right-footed into Bradshaw’s arms, but VCD Athletic deservedly clinched the victory.

“Yes, I’d say so,” said Bennett.  “Second half, definitely!  First half, no!”

“We weren’t quite at the races first half.  They caused us some problems.  With the way we set-up, they’ve obviously looked at that from the first leg and to be fair to them they put a formation out that caused us problems.

“One or two (of my players) weren’t quite at the races but yes, got in nil-nil at half-time and I thought we would be stronger second half.

“We had to make a tactical change because we changed our formation to suit how the game was going.”

Bennett is delighted that the club have reached the semi-finals of the competition and have a chance of clinching the Kent League title.

“Well chuffed, I’m really chuffed!” said Bennett.  “All the hard work we put in pre-season - going back to the old doom and gloom when we had no team and started again.  We’re in a great position in the league, in the semi-final, we’d like to be in two but unfortunately we came up against a very good Tunbridge Wells side on Saturday.”

Bennett added: “I’d love a Cup final.  I’ve had some Cup finals during my time and they’re great days out but it will be really nice to get something from this season for the lads but we don’t get carried away.  We’re very young, we’ve got a few older heads predominately we’re a very young and inexperienced side, who are growing and getting better every week.”

Erith & Belvedere’s assistant manager, Julian Leigh, who emerged from the home dressing room first, rued his side’s missed first half chances.

“I think as you can see from the performance tonight, I think we had enough chances in the first half perhaps to have got our noses in front but didn’t take them and obviously you see the result of that,” said the former VCD Athletic goalkeeper.

“They had a couple of chances and they took them well to be fair and probably overall might have deserved it in the end.”

Leigh added: “Certainly second half they came out the traps so to speak a lot better than we did, a lot better than we did!”

Leigh was disappointed that his side haven’t beaten their local rivals yet this season.

“We lost to them earlier in the season in the Kent Senior Trophy and obviously we got the draw over there and then the disappointment of tonight’s performance.  

“On top of that we’ve put a little run together, I think it’s five games that we’re unbeaten.”

Reflecting on the two goals that Stroud conceded, Leigh said: “Richard’s disappointed.  I mean he’s come on leaps and bounds as a keeper.  I’ve got a lot of time for him, he works hard in training and it’s one of those thing to be fair.

“Lewis (Wood) is a very experienced player and he took it (the first goal) well to be honest.  It was at the near post and me and Richard had a little chat about it and that remains in the changing room.”

Reflecting on the second goal, Leigh added: “It was a hell off a strike and fair do’s to the lad.  Once he hit that it was a goal.  I was quite impressed with him, a nice little player.”

And Leigh admitted Dalhouse will improve his game, adding, “Andrew by his standards was a little bit disappointed tonight.”

Erith & Belvedere:  Richard Stroud, Allan Matthews, Adrian Deane, James Lyons, Paul Gross, John Wilfort, Luke Coleman, Matt Newman, Andrew Dalhouse, Marcus Cassius (Sean Brown 68), Kirk Watts.

Subs: Steve Springett, Richie Davies, Aiden Pursglove, Simon Osborn

Booked:  Allan Matthews 43, Paul Gross 73

VCD Athletic:  Jack Bradshaw, Daryl Wheeler, James Brown, Gary Cook, Casey Scotter, Robbie Tarrant (Jack Asbury 46), Jimmy Rogers, Karl Dent, Tom Gamblin (George Mitchell 86), Lewis Wood, Greg Benbow.

Subs:  Adam Heaslewood, James Duckworth, Mark Allen.

Goals:  Lewis Wood 48, Daryl Wheeler 85

Attendance:  48

Referee: Mr James Dyson (Gravesend)

Assistants: Mr Adam Back (Sidcup) & Mr Paul Grant (Rainham)