Erith & Belvedere 2-2 Hythe Town

Erith & Belvedere snatched a point against 5th placed Hythe Town thanks to a late Micky Collins strike, but Greenwich Borough’s emphatic 6-1 win over Faversham Town means that the Deres have a lot to do if they are to leapfrog Hythe and Borough, writes Thomas Hawes.

The Deres came into the game on the back of two excellent wins against high-flyers Croydon and Whitstable Town over the Easter period, whilst Hythe saw off struggling Tunbridge Wells before drawing with Thamesmead Town on Easter Monday.

Although the Deres begun the game well, Hythe began to take control of the game as the first half wore on and in truth the 1-0 scoreline that they held at the interval flattered Erith.

On 15 minutes a miscued header back to Deres keeper Alan Hughes allowed Mike Smissen to latch onto the ball.

With only Hughes to beat, plus the fact that Hughes was hesitant to close the ball down, Smissen’s shot was a disappointment.

Smissen was to ensure that he converted his next chance though, albeit in fortuitous fashion.

Smissen was allowed to run with the ball to the edge of the Deres area and drilled the ball straight at Hughes.

With such pace on the ball, Hughes wasn’t sure whether or not to parry the ball away or attempt to catch the ball. In the end Hughes did neither and the ball found it’s way into the back of the net via his right arm.

Hythe continued to dominate the play for the remainder of the first period and it was only thanks to a superb double-save from Hughes on the stroke of half-time that the Deres went in just one goal behind at the interval.

Erith began to show why they ended Whitstable Town’s season long unbeaten away record in the Kent League as they took charge of the game in the opening stages of the second half and there dominance was rewarded with a goal on the hour.

Austin Berkley latched onto the ball 12 yards out but his first touch took him away from goal. Berkley kept his cool and dinked the ball up for Steve White to nod home the equaliser.

Both sides rallied to score the next goal and it took a moment of magic for that goal to come with 75 minutes on the clock.

Half-time substitute for Hythe, Aiden Pursglove embarked on an amazing run having received the ball from a throw-in halfway into the Deres half.

Pursglove dribbled his way through a bewildered Deres defence before coolly tucking the ball past a helpless Hughes.

Erith, judging by the three comebacks against Herne Bay, VCD Athletic and Sevenoaks that earned Paul Gorman and Chris Cosgrove the Kent League Manager of the Month award prior to kick-off, are a side that don’t know when they are beaten.

On 86 minutes Matt Bedford launched a long throw into the penalty area. Paul Gross flicked the ball on to Collins whose first touch gave him the opportunity to fire the ball home from six yards out.

Gorman & Cosgrove had brought on Collins after a bold “Jose Mourinho-esque” triple substitution.

They also brought on Nick Smith who had a chance to steal the points for Erith & Belvedere as he found himself one-on-one with Hythe shotstopper Nick Day.

Under pressure from a Hythe defender Smith couldn’t direct his shot on target and the matched ended 2-2.

The Deres now turn their attention to the visit of Beckenham Town next Saturday, where three points will be essential if the Deres harbour any ambitions of a top five finish.

Erith & Belvedere: Hughes, Crawley (Smith 77), Diggins, Maycock, Gonzague, Gross, Bedford, Deane, Berkley (Johnson 77), White (Collins 77), Nougher.
Subs: Scowen, Murray.

Hythe Town: Day, Walmsley, Walker, Dunlop. Crawford (capt.), Skelton, Fisk, Ayling (Pursglove 45), Godden, Smissen (Taylor 86), Winfield.
Subs: Porter, Morris.

Attendance: 75