Slade Green 1 Erith & Belvedere 2

Promotion chasing Erith & Belvedere had to work hard to take all three points in a tight affair against local rivals Slade Green at the Small Glen on Saturday, writes Thomas Hawes.

Despite having failed to win a game since late January, Green started
positively against a Deres side unbeaten in the last seven league outings.

However, it was to be the away side that took the lead. A hopeful ball
forward to Deres veteran Steve White caused confusion in the Railwaymen’s
defence, allowing White to poke the ball past the onrushing Gary Arterton
and into the corner of the net from all of 20 yards.

Deres fans have got used to their side not having a two-goal advantage, in
fact, the Deres have failed to win by two clear goals since December 3rd and
because of this it was no shock when Slade Green equalised nine minutes
before the interval.

In the second half, the game continued to lack opportunities. Both sides
had numerous corners and plenty of possession in their opponents last third,
yet neither side could create a clear cut chance until the 66th minute.

Leon Braithwaite fed the ball into White who neatly laid the ball back to
Braithwaite, who fired the ball into the top corner of Arterton‘s net.

Slade Green almost snatched a late equaliser when Tom Morgan’s shot flashed
across Ricky Hall’s goal and to be fair to Slade Green, they had the Deres
worried in the last 10 minutes and can be pleased with their performance.

For Erith & Belvedere meanwhile, the win, coupled with defeats for promotion rivals
Thamesmead and Whitstable, means that Erith & Belvedere move up to third place in the Kentish Observer Premier League table.

* The Deres entertain Whitstable Town at Park View Road next Saturday, 18th March, 3pm.