Erith & Belvedere 4-0 Lancing - Deres answer their critics in true style

The Deres bounced back from their opening day Bulmers Cider Kent League 3-0 defeat at the hands of much-improved side Slade Green to put Lancing to the sword to earn £750 in prize money.

Lancing were facing an uphill task as early as the sixth minute as the Deres raced into a 2-0 lead, through strikers Aiden Pursglove and Sam Prett before Pursglove added his second just before half-time.

And substitute Andrew Brown wrapped up the victory at the death, although Lancing twice hit the post during the second half.

The Deres were forced into making six changes to the side that lost on opening day, but they got off to a flying start, taking the lead after just 112 seconds.

Left-sided midfielder Jonathan Gallagher played the ball over the top of the Lancing back-line and although Pursglove appeared offside just outside the D, play was allowed to continue and after rounding goalkeeper Richard Whittington, Sid footed the ball into an empty net.

Things got even better for the Kent side as they quickly doubled their lead.

Skipper Ryan Robinson whipped in a cross from the left by-line and Prett thumped his header across Whittington to find the far corner.

With the damage done, shell-shocked Lancing did enjoy a good ten minute spell after the half-hour mark, but they were always facing an uphill struggle following their poor start.

Rob Partridge called the home goalkeeper into action, who made a comfortable save from an angled shot and was thwarted in the 33^rd minute when Billy Webb plucked his glancing header out of the air following Adam Burton’s cross from the left.

Almost immediately, at the other end, Whittington made a fine save to prevent Prett scoring with another header, this time closer from goal, from six-yards.

Darren Boswell and Asa Turley-George both combined well down the left and the cross was met ay an overhead kick from Partridge and the ball dropped to Lee Garnham, whose shot bounced off the foot of the left-hand post.

But Erith & Belvedere made the game safe, adding a third goal, against the run of play at the time, with six first half minutes remaining.

Whittington must have asked questions about his shaky defence as they left marksman Parksman unmarked inside the penalty area, who needed to second chance, cracking his shot into the roof of the net.

Partridge was denied by a combination of post and Webb on the stroke of half-time as Lancing’s play did deserve a goal at that time.

Pursglove was, however, denied after just 52 seconds into the second half.

Right-back Mitchell Crawley played the ball over the top of Lancing’s defence for the striker to chase a lost cause. He did brilliantly to nick the ball of Lancing’s skipper Tony Miles on the edge of the penalty area, only to see his drilled shot roll agonisingly past the foot of the far post.

And an error from Miles inside the box almost gifted Pursglove after 57 minutes, but his powerful drive flew just over Lancing’s crossbar.

Prett’s curling shot from the edge of the penalty area was caught by Whittington as the ball was heading towards the far corner.

But Boswell almost found the corner of Webb’s goal but his drive from the edge of the box was deflected wide.

The unmarked Burton should have scored a consolation for brave Lancing, although it was the Kent side that finished the stronger.

Both Pursglove and Prett were substituted to give Stephen Wetherley the chance to shine and he brought two fine saves from Whittington and a left-footed chip that drifted wide of the far post.

But the 105 fans had to wait until 31 seconds into stoppage time for the best goal of the game when Brown saw the goalkeeper off his line and unleashed a stunning right-footed screamer from thirty-yards, which flew into the back of the net, via the top of the right upright.

Erith & Belvedere: Billy Webb, Mitchell Crawley, Ryan Robinson, Budek Huseyin (Andrew Brown 62), Michael Adcock, John Samuel, Matt Bedford, Kevin Lott, Aiden Pursglove (Michael Golding 74), Sam Prett (Stephen Wetherley 74), Jonathan Gallagher.
Subs: Austin Berkley, Matt Bromby.

Goals: Aiden Pursglove 2, 39 Sam Prett 6, Andrew Brown 90

Lancing: Richard Whittington, Asa Turley-George (Shaun West 71), Luke McCabe (Tom Hurney 71), Dan Ford, Tony Miles, Scott Jocobs, Darren Boswell, Lee Garnham, Will Berry, Adam Burton, Rob Partridge (Chris Gander 86).
Subs: Dave Francis, Craig Mason.

Attendance: 105

Referee: Mr G Mays (Epsom, Surrey)
Assistants: Mr G Collins (Chertsey, Surrey) & Mr L Read (Addlestone, Surrey)