Erith Town 0 Erith & Belvedere 4

Monday 27th March 2006

Erith & Belvedere secured their biggest league win of the season after thrashing Erith Town
4-0 in a fiery local derby on Saturday, writes Thomas Hawes.

The away side dominated the opening proceedings at Erith Stadium and really should have been ahead after 13 minuets.

A cross from the right by Tommy Martin looked to be sailing straight to Town goalkeeper Danny Smith.

However, the 18-year-old, a late replacement for Chris Conneally, failed to collect the ball and Steve White was surprised as anybody when the ball ricocheted of his shin and wide of the goal.

The Deres were soon to get their deserved lead when player/manager Wayne Brown nodded home from six yards after 26 minutes.

The experienced defender has now scored two goals in as many games, pretty impressive considering he's only scored a handful of goals in his career!

Two minutes later and the lead was doubled. After patient build-up play from the away side, Mark Nougher whipped in an exquisite ball to Leon Braithwaite who tucked home with relative ease.

Erith Town meanwhile were fortunate to end the first half with one booking, such was the rashness of their tackles.

The Dockers came out of the blocks quickly in the second half and were inches away to pulling a goal back when Paul Gross headed against the crossbar.

Having broken up a Town attack, Erith & Belvedere counter-attacked and sealed all three points when Anton Innocent headed in Barry Gibson's cross.

A demoralised Erith Town outfit allowed the Deres to get back on top after their good start to the half and Town's misery was compounded when the visitors scored a fourth. A neat one two between Anton Innocent and White was followed up with an inch perfect cross to Braithwaite who rounded off a great afternoon for himself and Erith & Belvedere.

New signings Tobi Ositola (Harlow Town) and Chris Lockwood (Braintree Town) came on as subs and despite having been signed from higher league clubs, they'll have to do very well to get a regular starting place in a well organised Deres side.