Erith & Belvedere 3-2 Phoenix Sports - I don't want it to look like a negative ending and we know it's going to get better within three to six more months, insists Phoenix Sports player-manager Jake Goodman

Erith & Belvedere 3 – 2 Phoenix Sports
Location	Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY
Kickoff	17/04/2026 19:45

ERITH & BELVEDERE  3-2  PHOENIX SPORTS
Presence & Co Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Friday 17 April 2026
Stephen McCartney reports from Park View Road

PHOENIX SPORTS player-manager Jake Goodman says he doesn’t want it to look like a negative ending to their failed Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division promotion bid.

Phoenix Sports were tipped to be one of the four play-off sides this season but three defeats in their last seven games saw them pull out of the play-off race in their penultimate game, losing the derby against an Erith & Belvedere side that had lost their last four games and winless in six.

Erith & Belvedere took the lead through a solo run and composed finish from striker Tom Borders, notching his 13^th goal of the season.

However, a sublime dinked counter-attacking finish from winger Theophilus Lukyamuzi restored parity at Park View Road.

Emergency lone striker Lyle Della-Verde, 31, tucked home a penalty to score his 15^th goal of the season but Phoenix Sports certainly missed suspended striker Jamarie Brissett.

Ryan Fowler scored direct from a free-kick – aided much to a favourable bounce - but Phoenix Sports goalkeeper Ryan McCourt gifted the hosts a late winner when he allowed substitute striker Luca Sanford’s shot to go straight through him, which killed off his club’s chances of returning to the Isthmian League at the first time of asking.

“I’m never happy when we lose, it’s very frustrating! We didn’t do enough what was asked at half time that would’ve probably got us a result,” admitted centre-half Goodman, 32.

“The manner of the goals we conceded – we know it – it ain’t good enough! They’ve scored from those goals but they could’ve probably scored another two, so it’s a fair reflection really.

“They were exactly what I expected, hardworking, will run all day, work hard all day, a real solid side, so nothing we didn’t expect but I feel we’ve just got to control ourselves and we didn’t today.”

Erith & Belvedere manager Gary Alexander, 46, reflected on his fourth win in 11 games since being asked by close friend Paul Springett to take the helm.

“Listen, the boys did everything we’ve asked them to do. We asked them to play possession-based football. I think you saw in the first half that we played that and we were unlucky to come in 2-1 down.

“We gave away a penalty – it probably was a penalty.  We’ve given the ball away but I expect that with the way we want to play, so there are going to be mistakes.

“I thought we dominated the first half and then we’ve had to make changes second half. It was a little bit end-to-end in the second half but I think we deserved the win overall.

“Listen, we’ve not been looking at that (our recent form). We knew we couldn’t go up, we knew we couldn’t go down.  We’ve played a lot of games and we were in a false position when we took over. We played four or five more games (than everyone else).

“But it was all about coming in with the chairman, learning this group, seeing what we can get out of this group, working on things, which we’ve done, getting youngsters in the team, which we’ve done and it’s all about building for the future. You’ve seen tonight what we’re capable off.”

Erith & Belvedere played CRAB FOOTBALL (backwards and sideways) which made the first 20 minutes so boring to watch.  They kept the ball for the first 75 seconds of the game without Phoenix Sports getting a touch until centre-half Robert Strachan’s forward pass was given away.

Dominating the corner count by nine-to-three, Erith & Belvedere’s left-back Ronnie Mclean – often guilty of giving the ball away after receiving defensive passes from Strachan – swung the ball in from the right with his left-foot, the ball was cleared out to Ishmael Erskine, whose right-footed hooked shot went past the near-post from 16-yards, with a crowded penalty area ahead of him, with seven minutes and 13 seconds on the clock.

Strachan was proving to be a threat in the air at Erith & Belvedere set-pieces.

“Rob, Fletch (other centre-half Frederick Fletcher), they’re all good in the air. We’ve got some big boys out there and there’s little things that we can work on moving forward,” said Alexander.

“That’s all things you put in place in pre-season. We haven’t had much time with the boys and we only get to train once a week, so there’s things that are difficult but listen they gave everything and put in a great performance.”

Goodman said: “We weren’t man-marking him how I wanted at times in that zone. I can get in the way and sort of try and put him off, so thankfully we did do that.

“We just weren’t getting to grips with it. It took us too long to get to grips with it, in my opinion.”

Holding midfielder Alfie Morgan floated a corner in from the left and Strachan sent his free header over the crossbar from eight-yards.

Erith & Belvedere ventured forward (12:45) and produced a slick one-touch move inside the Phoenix Sports half and McClean and Fowler linked up before a reverse pass played in winger Harry Day and his right-footed shot was kept out by McCourt’s legs at his near-post.

“As I said, that was everything how we want to play. We want to move the ball; we want to tire opposition. We want to make more, create chances. If I had one complaint, I want to make more, create more chances but it wasn’t to be but it was a great move and a great save by the keeper,” said Alexander.

Goodman added: “Everything we expect from Ryan from his standards that he set since coming in (from League Two leaders Bromley). For me, that’s a comfortable save that he should be making.”

Morgan swung the resulting corner in from the left towards the back post where Strachan headed down and over the crossbar from three-yards, as Erith & Belvedere knocked on the door.

The start of this derby was a low-key, dead rubber feel to the game and Erith & Belvedere gifted possession away and Phoenix Sports should have done better with 23:42 on the clock.

Strachan’s intended 15-yard pass towards high left-back McClean was intercepted by Lukyamuzi, who accepted the opportunity to travel over the halfway line and into the penalty area before putting it on a plate for Della-Verde, who took a touch and cracked his left-footed drive high over the crossbar from just inside the curve of the D.

“I think that was probably – what time was that? Seventeen minutes? We hadn’t really got started until probably the 20^th minute, so a player of Lyle’s quality, I think he should be hitting the target there,” admitted Goodman.

Alexander added: “I thought Phoenix were a very powerful side. I thought they were a very good side, they’ve got some really good individuals what can hurt you when they’re running at you.  They’ve got some real good players, a real good side and I think we beat a good side.

“They were still in with an outside chance of the play-offs had they won tonight. It would’ve put pressure on the teams above.”

Erith & Belvedere threw away the poor quality start to this game by taking the lead with 25 minutes and 45 seconds on the clock.

Borders picked the ball up just inside the Phoenix Sports half, ran down the line, cut inside Ben Morrison, got a lucky break as Goodman attempted to tackle him, cut into the penalty area and drilled his right-footed angled drive across the keeper into the bottom far corner.

“Tom deserves that. Tom works hard; he’s a young number nine. He’s come in and there’s been games where he’s been taken out but he’s not once moaned. He comes back in and he gets a starting chance and he takes it. He scores his goal and he worked his socks off hence the reason he had to come off,” said Alexander.

Goodman added: “Ben was saying there was something, there was a bobble or something, he lost his footing. I put a tackle in, it bounces and he gets a ricochet and drives at us and cuts inside and a really good finish from the boy.”

Frederick Fletcher stabbed the ball out to Frederick Cray, who put in a cross from within the left channel and Strachan’s free near-post header flashed past the left-hand post.

Phoenix Sports grabbed their equaliser, however, with 31 minutes and 5 seconds on the clock, courtesy of a three-man counter-attacking move.

Seanan McKillop played a low pass into Della-Verde and his sublime flicked pass found Lukyamuzi in space and he held his composure to calmly dink his right-footed shot over the goalkeeper and trickling into the empty net from 12-yards.

It’s another case of lower league players conceding a goal whilst trying to play-out-from-the-back and only having one training session to hone the skills that Pep Guardiola has hours and hours to master the skill at Premier League Manchester City.

“We set a good trap and executed the game plan at that point, what we asked, really well, so a really pleasing and a really good goal,” said Goodman.

“They wanted to pass the ball, so that was fine. We adjusted fairly quickly and we were quite happy in our shape.”

Alexander admitted: “To be honest, I only saw the finish. I didn’t see the mistake, I was actually chatting to their sub, who was warming up, so I was just having a chat with the sub, so I didn’t see the actual give away of the pass.

“But listen, like I’ve said before, we’re going to make mistakes because of the way we want to play. It’s not an easy way to play but you’ve got to be brave and I’ve got to accept there will be mistakes. There’s a good finish from the kid, a little dink and there’s nothing you can do.”

McClean travelled over the halfway line and decided to play a sideways and not backwards pass, this time to Fowler, who strode forward into space before dragging his left-footed shot across the keeper and harmlessly wide of the far post from outside the Phoenix Sports penalty area.

Morrison fed quiet left-winger Nathaniel Olawole, who put in a cross towards the near post where the impressive Della-Verde’s left-footed volley from six-yards smashed into Danny Alexander and whistled over the crossbar.

“I thought it actually hit him in the face. I think if he would’ve hit that not so sweet, it probably bounces in,” added Goodman, who was asked about his side’s flat first half performance.

“I’d say we controlled it in terms of where we let them play and let them pass the ball. It probably took us probably 20 minutes to get going. I thought they sort of controlled the first half of the first half and we controlled the second half of the first half.”

Reflecting on his 18-year-old son’s performance in between the sticks, Alexander replied: “Danny’s come in, he’s a young goalkeeper. People may look at it that he’s my son and he’s playing but he’s come in and you ask any one of those boys there, he deserves his opportunity.

“Even when we were conceding goals, he was making four or five great saves and tonight he’s pulled off a couple of great saves and he’s earnt his right to be a first-team goalkeeper at this level.”

Phoenix Sports were awarded a penalty following their second of three corners, which was tucked home with 41 minutes and four seconds on the clock.

McKillop’s left-wing corner came out to Paul Lee and his drive from the edge of the box forced Frederick Cray to raise his hand to commit an offence and referee Byron Beard pointed to the spot.

Della-Verde sent Danny Alexander the wrong way, sweeping his left-footed penalty kick into the bottom right-hand corner.

“Definite penalty! To be fair, I thought the referee was decent tonight. It was very clear and obvious – you can’t have your hand up that high,” said Goodman.

“There was a difficult sort of role for Lyle tonight but we played to his strengths. We didn’t allow him to run in behind because we knew that wasn’t going to be his game. We allowed him a free role and I thought Lyle did well.”

Alexander added: “Young Freddie (Cray), he jumped with the guy. Was his hand raised? Possibly, a little bit. Some will be given and some won’t, so we have to accept that as well and the kid tucked it away, not much you can do.

“I’m not going to argue (about the decision). Listen, the referee’s out there. I’m not one to argue or berate a referee. It’s one of them. He’s made his decision and we can’t change it.”

Della-Verde was playing as the lone central striker due to 14-goal Brissett’s suspension, while Enyinnaya Ezenqanne’s name was scrubbed off the team sheet due to ‘personal issues’ and Kieron McCann was ruled out to a fractured foot, while Ishmael Erskine’s race was run after 58 minutes due to a hamstring strain.

Both were asked their thoughts at the interval, while the 420 fans were hoping for better quality from both sides.

Alexander said: “Listen, go out there and keep moving the ball, keep passing the ball, be brave, keep getting on the ball.  Nothing changes.

“We’re going downhill and we possibly could’ve scored with the first attack of the second half and Fowler went through and nearly nicked it before the keeper – but keep moving the ball, keep believing and we’ll create chances.”

Goodman added: “Messages were, more switches, more switches of play, better quality on the counter and we had two moments in the first eight minutes of the second half and we were three-versus-two, so the exact scenarios we want. We didn’t pick the right ball”

Erith & Belvedere gave the ball away in their own defensive third and Jensen Grant’s short pass went to Della-Verde, who tried to chip the ball over the keeper from inside the centre-circle but Danny Alexander stepped to his right to grab hold of the ball after 100 seconds play.

Fowler ran at the Phoenix Sports penalty area straight down the heart of the pitch before his progress was ended by Grant’s bookable challenge.

McCourt lined up a four-man wall.  Fowler stroked his right-footed free-kick past the side of the wall and a lucky bounce right in front of a diving McCourt ensured the ball nestled into the back of the net, with six minutes and 36 seconds on the clock.

Alexander said: “To be honest, that goalmouth is a bit of a shambles and it’s difficult. It’s caught us out a couple of times, so there’s no blame on that goalkeeper whatsoever. There’s nothing he can do.  It’s bounced in front of him and Fowler will probably be disappointed with the free-kick but it’s bounced in and we’ll take that. It’s a little bit of luck we probably deserved.”
 

Goodman added: “It wasn’t even in the corner! A frustrating goal but we had chances 10-15 seconds before where better decision making that doesn’t happen, so I’m more annoyed about the decision making than the free-kick being given away than the goal that’s conceded, as much as that’s really frustrating as well.”

Phoenix Sports linked up well down the right when Lukyamuzi cut in from the right, stabbed the ball short to Olawole, whose left-footed chip was plucked out of the air by the Deres’ keeper, two-handed, high to his right.

Phoenix Sports enjoyed a spell of possession inside the final third and substitute right-winger Khayrie Harris put in a cross towards the near-post where Della-Verde’s downward header from three-yards was superbly saved by Danny Alexander’s left-hand.

“Good save but a good clean header, that’s a proper number nine, maybe that’s a more forceful header but Lyle’s got it on target. He’s done everything that we’ve asked. It was a good save from the guy,” said Goodman.

Alexander added: “Phoenix are a strong side and they’re well-organised, so they’re always going to cause problems but another good save from Danny.

“We’ve had to change shape. Ishmael (Erskine) pulled his hamstring, so he’s had to come off, so we’ve had to change shape and we had to work hard.

“Listen, Phoenix had a lot to go for because if they won the game tonight, so they were always going to go out all attacking. They’ve got some real good attacking players and they’re all good players and they can hurt you.

“It was a real tough game but we’ve kept a clean sheet second half and scored two goals and it’s just credit to the lads.”

Erith & Belvedere finished the game on the front foot and they notched the winner with 34 minutes and 14 seconds on the clock, courtesy of some Sunday League goalkeeping.

The home side produced a sweeping move involving high-right-back Todd Brand and substitute right-winger Frederick Baker, who played substitute striker Sanford in behind and his right-footed drilled shot somehow went through McCort’s two gloves and body and somehow found the near corner.

“Luca’s scored a lot of goals for the 23s and it’s one of them,” said Alexander, who revealed he is working with a ‘shoestring budget’.

“He’s got the opportunity to come in with us and train and over the last few weeks he’s done that and he’s got his just deserts.

“Tom Borders worked his socks off tonight, (we) needed a change and he’s gone out there and got what he deserved.  He scores goals.”

When asked what pleased him tonight, the former Millwall ace replied: “The amount of possession we had. I thought we were very good in possession, especially in the first half and that’s how we want to play.  Yes, there’s been mistakes over the past few weeks but we’re trying to drill it into players and hopefully we can keep hold of the majority of this team and build.”

Goodman, naturally, refused to point the finger of blame at McCourt for his blunder that cost Phoenix Sports a stab at the play-offs.

“It is what it is.  Ryan’s standards he knows he should’ve done better, no blame for me, it’s one of those things, it happens.

“He’s absolutely fine. I don’t want to put pressure; we’re not going to put pressure (on him for the mistake).  Of course, we demand standards and keep the standards high, which is obviously something we asked and demanded in there but there’s no need to scream and shout. I don’t think that works. He knows.

“Can we just give him just better information and technical detail from our goalie coach to give him, maybe the reasons why and maybe let him answer when we watch it back on the veo.”

McCourt showed character though, pulling off a fine save with his legs (50:04), after substitute left-winger Matthias Broomes put it on a plate for Sanford, who fizzed a low right-footed shot towards the bottom near corner, only for McCourt to use his right leg to ensure the ball flashed past the foot of the post instead.

“Look, he made a mistake but Ryan being Ryan he cleaned his head quickly and got on with it,” added Goodman.

Phoenix Sports sit in eighth-place in the table with 52 points (14 wins, 10 draws and 11 defeats).

The fight to see whom will join champions Whitstable Town (86 points) in the Isthmian League South East Division is now down to a couple of clubs.

Fisher (64 points) Larkfield & New Hythe (59 points), Bearsted (59 points) all have two games remaining, while Rusthall (56 points) have three games left.

Punjab United (56 points, three games remaining) are in sixth-place while Hollands & Blair (54 points, one game left) have a 5 per cent chance of making it.

Phoenix Sports play host to Kennington in a dead-rubber final day fixture, having suffered back-to-back defeats to Faversham Strike Force (3-2) and this derby defeat has killed them.

“We want to win it.  Obviously, the last two we haven’t so I’m demanding the three points to give back to the fans, give back to Tony (Crowder) the owner because they deserve it and the boys deserves it too,” said Goodman.

“I don’t want it to look like a negative ending with all the hard work that we’ve done since I took over (in October).

“We always knew the season was going to be a building structure, sometimes you can get quick results but that doesn’t always work in the long-run, so we know we had to build a style and philosophy of how we wanted to play and we know it’s only going to get better within three or six more months.

“Thank you for your support as always. It’s always much appreciated. We always try to work as hard as possible because I think that’s a reflection of myself.  I think that’s a demand that I expect, a non-negotiable for me, thanks to the fans for coming out.

“Sorry we haven’t got you the three points but hopefully we’ll go next week and hopefully we’ll deliver on that.

“When we lost to Whitstable (1-0 at home on 29 November), it was almost four months when we lost to Tunbridge Wells (1-0 away, 24 March). Again, it’s just unfortunate, we lost two in the last two.”

Erith & Belvedere sit in eleventh-place in the pecking order, having picked up 46 points (13 wins, 7 draws and 15 defeats) and complete their campaign with a trip to Gillingham to play Darren Blackburn’s Hollands & Blair next Saturday.

“Hollands & Blair, a tough game. They want to get one over us. We beat them when we played at home but they’ve put an unbelievable run together to give themselves a chance of a play-off,” said Alexander.

“But do you know what? As I’ve said, we’ve shown tonight we’re not just going to roll over. We’ve got to be as professional as we can be and try to get a result.

“It’s not fair you just turn up and give up is it, so we’ve caused Phoenix problems tonight and it’s taken a little bit of pressure off Hollands & Blair for Saturday, but we go there and if we spoil their party, we spoil their party but we’re certainly going there to win the game.”

Both managers were asked whether they have sat down with their chairmen to discuss next season.

Alexander said: “Listen, I’ve got a good backroom staff. I’m not going to hide it; the chairman’s my friend. He’s asked me to manage this football club for years and if I can do it, I will do it.

“I’ve got my love back for the game. As I’ve said, work – I’ve got a chauffeur company – is a priority but I’ll be doing all I can to be involved and hopefully I can manage this football club next year with the staff I’ve got.

“You’re not going to get a better chairman. He knows football, he loves it, he accepts we’re going to win, we’re going to lose but we’re doing everything that he wants on a shoestring budget.

“I’ve had a long time out but I love football. You’ve seen what I’m capable off at this level and I’ll build a squad that hopefully will challenge.”

Goodman, who’s aspirations for the season were to grab a play-off place, added: “No, not yet, that will be done at the end of the season.”

Erith & Belvedere: Danny Alexander, Todd Brand, Ronnie McClean (Freddie Springett 90), Alfie Morgan, Robert Strachan, Frederick Fletcher, Frederick Cray, Ryan Fowler, Tom Borders (Luca Sanford 77), Ishmael Erskine (Matthias Broomes 58), Harry Day (Frederick Baker 58).
Sub: George Krucyk

Goals: Tom Borders 26, Ryan Fowler 52, Luca Sanford 80

Booked: Frederick Fletcher 63, Frederick Baker 82, Frederick Cray 85

Phoenix Sports: Ryan McCourt, Paul Lee (Kadmiel Animpong 85), Taylor Fisher, Jake Goodman, Ahkeem Belford, Ben Morrison, Nathaniel Olawole (Louie Downey 70), Seanan Mckillop (Harry Barnes 65), Lyle Della-Verde, Jensen Grant, Theophilus Lukyamuzi (Khayrie Harris 65).

Goals: Theophilus Lukyamuzi 32, Lyle Della-Verde 42 (penalty)

Booked: Jensen Grant 51, Ben Morrison 84

Attendance: 420
Referee: Mr Byron Beard
Assistants: Mr Tom George & Mr Richard Myers