With Romeo Beckham recently signing for Brentford, it does add some shine on the fixture and hopefully his and possibly his dad’s presence at the game will draw a big crowd, says Erith & Belvedere interim manager Andy Constable

ERITH & BELVEDERE interim manager Andy Constable says he wants his side to put in a performance that the whole club can be proud off when they welcome Brentford B to Park View Road on Tuesday night.

Neil MacFarlane’s side are the visitors in the London Senior Cup Second Round and could field David Beckham’s son Romeo, 20, for the first time if the Premier League club gain International Clearance in time, having signed on loan from American outfit Inter Miami's second string.

Brentford B are unbeaten since 26 November and beat Corinthian-Casuals 1-0 in the First Round, while Erith & Belvedere came away from Redbridge with a 5-2 win.

Erith & Belvedere go into the tie sitting 20 points clear at the top of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 18 wins and two draws from their 21 games.

Constable, who has temporarily taken over from Tony Beckingham last month, has seen his side keep three clean sheets from games against Stansfeld (2-0), Erith Town (1-0) and they came away from Gillingham with a 4-0 win last time out.

“We come into the Brentford game on the back of an excellent result away to Hollands & Blair, which I was concerned was going to be a very tough fixture,” said Constable.

“In truth, we scored two early goals and that put us in a strong position before killing the game just before half-time with a goal through in-form striker Tunde Aderonmu.

“The second half was comfortable and we got a fourth goal to add some gloss to the result.

“We’ve had three wins out of three since I took over as interim manager without conceding a goal, so it’s been a nice start for me and the rest of the management team.”

Erith & Belvedere have reduced their admission prices to £5 for the visit of the Bees, whose first team squad are in ninth-place in the Premier League table with 26 points from 18 games.

Constable is relishing the opportunity of facing professional staff.

“Obviously going into this game, against professional opposition, presents a different challenge to one that we normally face.

“It’s great for the club to host a Premier League team and will be a great opportunity for our players to pitch themselves against a much, much higher standard.

“We are under no illusions how tough this game is going to be, but we will treat it like every game we have gone into this season and do everything we can to win.

“It’s really a bonus game that we have no pressure or expectation on us at all, so hopefully we can play with freedom and showcase the type of football we are capable off.  That’s dependant on if we get to see much of the ball!

“I’m not one for over hyping situations but with Romeo Beckham recently signing for Brentford, it does add some shine on the fixture and hopefully his and possibly his dad’s presence at the game will draw a big crowd.

“Overall, though, it’s a game of football, eleven-v-eleven and I’m not really fussed who is playing for them.

“They will have much more quality than us and be miles fitter than us.  All I can guarantee is that we will give our all to stay in the game as long as possible and then see what unfolds.”

Constable revealed that his 19-goal striker Aderonmu and Anthony Morrison will not be risked as the pair are carrying slight knocks, but 10-goal striker Danny Lear returns to the squad following injury.

Miles Cornwell has been signed from Isthmian League South East Division side East Grinstead Town and will be handed his home debut.

“I hope everyone associated with the club enjoys the evening and we can put on a performance to make the whole club proud.”

Looking further ahead, Constable added: “This game is a welcome break from the league and the players and the management team will enjoy this one before we get back to our bread and butter.

“We have two tough away league games in four days at Kennington, who are playing very well, and Tunbridge Wells, who inflicted our only league defeat so far this season, when they destroyed us 5-1 at home.”

Erith & Belvedere  v  Brentford B
London Senior Cup (Sponsored by Veo) Second Round
Tuesday 10 January 2023
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY