Erith & Belvedere 1 Herne Bay 2

It just wasn’t Erith & Belvedere’s day on Saturday as Herne Bay stole all
three points to leave the Deres promotion aspirations in tatters, writes Thomas Hawes.

The Deres went into the game full of confidence on a 13-game unbeaten run,
knowing that if they could beat Herne Bay and other results went their way
then third place could be secured.

The home side were a goal down as early as six minutes. A poor Herne Bay throw-in went straight to Erith defender Darren Spinks who, under no pressure whatsoever, inadvertently handled inside the area.

After a long discussion with the linesman, the referee pointed to the spot. Stuart King made no mistake with the penalty to give the away side an unlikely lead.

The first half was a tight affair with chances few and far between, but with both sides having their fair share of attacks.

Deres manager Wayne Brown had made a number of unforced changes to the side that beat Hythe Town 3-1 two weeks ago, most notably Steve White and midfielder Tommy Martin who have been ever present in recent weeks.

Erith & Belvedere faced the possibility of losing a league match by a two-goal margin for the first time since the fateful 2-0 defeat at Wivenhoe Town, that saw them relegated from the Southern League, when Marlon Button crashed home a spectacular 30-yarder after 32 minutes. Somehow, Herne Bay were 2-0 ahead at half time.

Erith & Belvedere were to dominate the second half and were virtually camped out in the Herne Bay half of the pitch. The Deres build-up play was frustratingly slow and the home side appeared to want to walk the ball in.

On 60 minutes, having been urged by the crowd to shoot, former Swindon Town player Austin Berkley unleashed a vicious shot from 25 yards, which thudded off the crossbar.

Four minutes later, Steve White subbed Anton Innocent and the former Bromley striker had an immediate effect. White played a beautiful through ball to Tobi Ositola, but the ex-Harlow Town player couldn’t find away past Bay keeper Jack Delo.

White was involved in the Deres goal after 75 minutes, he played a neat ball to Leon Braithwaite who cut the ball back for Ositola to guide home what proved to be a consolation goal.

The Deres know that they must better Thamesmead Town’s result next Saturday to have any chance of promotion at the first attempt.

Erith & Belvedere: Hall, Gibson (Dakin 75), Spinks, Tague, Brown, Crawley, Berkley, Innocent (White 65), Braithwaite, Ositola (Martin 75), Nougher

Attendance: 92