Glebe 1-2 Erith Town - We'll let the dust settle, have a little discussion and see where we go from there, says Glebe joint-manager Michael Power

Glebe 1 – 2 Erith Town
Location	Foxbury Avenue, off Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 6SD
Kickoff	30/04/2024 19:45

GLEBE  1-2  ERITH TOWN
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division Play-Off Semi-Final
Tuesday 30 April 2024
Stephen McCartney reports from Foxbury Avenue

GLEBE joint-manager Michael Power says he will let the dust settle before discussing his future with the club after admitting his players' lacked desire during this Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division Play-Off Semi-Final home defeat to Erith Town.

Glebe talisman striker Jamie Philpot chipped in his 32^nd goal of the season – despite winger Nathan Mampono’s attempted to steal the goal on the goal-line – as the Foxes grabbed the lead.

Erith Town scored twice in the space of six minutes to seal a deserved victory, with right-back Tom Ash finishing off a four-man set-piece routine, before striker Harry Taylor swept in his 34^th goal of the season.

The Dockers will hold home advantage in the winner-takes-all Play-Off Final on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May (15:00) against Corinthian at Bayliss Avenue.

Michael Golding’s men pulled off a shock by beating Faversham Town 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Salters Lane.

The Dockers beat Corinthian on penalties after a poor Challenge Cup Final finished all square at 1-1 in Gillingham on Good Friday, 29 March.

Erith Town also beat First Division side Croydon 3-2 to land the Kent Senior Trophy in Maidstone and will be favourites to earn their first promotion into the Isthmian League South East Division, while Golding’s side will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt after losing their eighth-tier status with Faversham Town last April.

Erith Town manager Adam Woodward said: “Do you know what, I thought we were absolutely superb!  I thought we dominated from start to finish and it was a full credit to the players because again 1-0 down, made changes. I’ll be honest, the management team will take credit for, not so much me, that’s the others because I wanted to make a different change – and it changed the game.

“They gave everything. I’m so proud of these boys.  We’ve had it hard this year, to win two cups and to be in a play-off final, whatever happens now, these boys are superb.  They’ve been brilliant, they’ve been superb again tonight.

“I said you’ve got to enjoy (these play-offs).  Whatever happens, you enjoy your play-off's and that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to enjoy them. We want to win them obviously, but no one would’ve said we should’ve been in there.  There’s a lot of teams below us in the league with bigger budgets that would’ve bit their hand off to be in a position we are.

“Listen, we know where we are as a club. We’re doing really well, I’m really proud of the boys.”

A disappointed Power admitted: “I think Erith probably deserved it overall, created more chances, looked like they had a bit more desire.  First to most tackles, first to most second balls.  I think on another day, on another pitch, we get playing. It’s obviously a different game but that pitch was lively and bobbly, doesn’t suit the way that we’ve been trying to play over the last few weeks.

“I think overall hats off to Erith. I think they deserved to win in the end.”

When asked about the reaction he has received during his five-match spell in charge at Foxbury Avenue alongside Peter Sweeney, Power replied: “It was a difficult situation coming in. I just received a phone call asked to help Rocky (McMillan) and Anwar (Uddin) out and me and Pete decided to do it.

“We thought the boys were going to go the other way, but they’ve been brilliant. It actually has been enjoyable.  Obviously other than tonight losing a semi-final of the play-offs, it’s always going to be disappointing.

“But I said to the boys, thank you very much, you’ve made us feel welcome. It actually has been really enjoyable. I’ve enjoyed it so we’ll only see what happens from now on.”

Glebe attracted their record crowd of 450 to Foxbury Avenue but both sides appeared nervous during the early exchanges but the home side edged it.

Power and Peter Sweeney took the helm after chairman Rocky McMillan announced the shock departures of joint-managers Danny Oakins and Craig Nelson – despite sitting at the summit  with six games remaining – on 26 March.

Steve King’s Deal Town eat up their games in hand to claim their first league title in 24 years, by picking up 92 points from 40 games.

Faversham Town – relegated under Sammy Moore, who was axed while the club were also at the summit on 2 January, before former Ashford United manager Tommy Warrilow came in to finish runners-up with 83 points.

Glebe finished in third-place (83) and Erith Town followed (80) and Corinthian finished fifth (79) – but not many would have predicted the play-off final will be contested by Erith Town and Corinthian when the season kicked off.

Glebe were kicking down the hill for the first half and hardly created anything, while the aerial presence of Taylor was a constant threat for Glebe’s two centre-halves Jamie Coyle and Aaron Goode.

A big kick upfield by Erith Town goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley was flicked on by Taylor on the edge of the box and Nathan Edwards made a comfortable collection in the 11^th minute.

When both were pressed about the cagey start to the game, Woodward said: “Two nervous teams. It was hard.  We weren’t too sure how they were going to play.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get to watch them (beat Rusthall 2-0 here) on Saturday.  Not too sure how they were going to play after the management change, so it took us a bit of time for us to work them out.”

Power added: “That would be like most play-offs.  You get these high-pressure games.  You see it in the higher leagues when you watch the games, you see people snuff each other out don’t they.  Nevrves obviously play a big factor and it’s whoever controls their nerves usually comes out on top.

“I think we had parts of the game where we looked like we were panicking. We were receiving the ball. It was like a bit of a hot potato.  I think Erith controlled their nerves better than we did.”

Glebe grabbed the lead, however, with 15 minutes and 38 seconds on the clock.

Winger Marcel McDonald was standing on the half-way line and he released Philpot in behind Dockers’ centre-half Calum McGeehan.  Goalkeeper Mckenzie Foley rushed off his line and Philpot easily skipped past him and kept composed with a right-footed chip from a tight angle, which sailed towards the top far corner.

Mampono attempted to steal the goal but it appeared (without video evidence) that the ball had already dropped over the line before the Glebe winger made sure.

Power said: “I think it’s a well-worked goal. I think that’s the sort of thing we’ve been working on, trying to get Philpot, the ball, higher up around the goal area and obviously being the forward and the finisher that he is.

“Marcel played a lovely ball over the top. Philpot’s beaten the goalie to it. It looked like it was going to go in anyway. It would’ve been a great finish by Philpot.”

When asked who is claiming the goal, Power replied: “I don’t know.  You’re saying that Nathan nicked it on the line. It was a bit of desire that got him there on the back stick. Nathan brings that. He brings hard work as well as quality. He’s a good footballer but he actually works. He does the other side as well, so happy for him.

“We don’t know who it was that did score it do we?  I don’t think they really had much of a discussion about it but they’re more happy that it’s gone in and they go 1-0 up.  The boys are in it for each other.

“I thought it was already in. I thought it was Philpot but on paper it looks like it’s been given to Mampono.  We haven’t really spoken about it. I’ll leave it down to you.”

Woodward said: “He (Philpot) didn’t score.  They were higher than the goalkeeper, so it’s offside. It’s a blatant offside.  I think it’s a foul in the build-up, which was questionable but it’s a blatant offside and unfortunately these big decisions, it’s not a hard one and the lino’s got it wrong.

“What I will say, we came in unjust to come in at 1-0 down but credit to the boys after that.  The boys have got character, they’ve got heart, they’ve got desire.  They’re not here for a pound note. They’re here because they care.  They love the club, top to bottom. They love the chairman and his wife.  They love the management; they love the fans.  They’re proper players and they’re hard to come by nowadays.”

Erith Town’s response was swift and they showed great desire to get back into it.

Edwards lined up a four-man wall for Erith Town’s first attempt on goal (18:50).

Attacking midfielder James Dyer drilled the 30-yard free-kick into the wall, James Miles recycled the ball back into the box and Taylor controlled the ball with his chest before hitting a left-footed volley towards the top left-hand corner, which was brilliantly pushed over by Edwards’ outstretched right-hand, high to his right.

“The first chance of the game really for us.  I felt Nathan Edwards played really well tonight. I thought he was the man-of-the-match and that was a good save there,” said Woodward.

Power added: “Nathan’s been brilliant since we’ve come in.  He hasn’t really had much to do over the last few games but when he has been called upon, he’s always been safe.

“Today he’s been brilliant. He’s made two or three brilliant saves, especially from their number 10 (Taylor), the volley after we just went 1-0 up.

“I think he’s made a couple in the second half. I think Nathan’s a brilliant goalie and he’s got a bright future in front of him as well.”

Erith Town dominated the corner count by 10-2 and Dyer swung the first one in from the right and Edwards punched the ball away and an unmarked Miles stroked his right-footed drive through a crowd of players and past the left-hand post from 20-yards.

Erith Town’s right-winger Harrison Carnegie floated in a cross towards the unmarked Taylor, who glanced his header across Edwards and past the far post from 16-yards.

In what was a flat first-half, Erith Town kept knocking on the door and Edwards made a comfortable catch in the 29^th minute.

Ash threw the ball close to the right corner flag to Carnegie, who rolled the ball back for holding midfielder George Goodwin, who whipped in a cross into the box where Taylor towered over Coyle and guided his header straight into Edwards’ grateful arms.

“I thought Harry was very dominant in the air tonight against their two centre-halves Jamie Coyle and Aaron Goode.   They’re two good centre-halves in the air and I thought he was dominant against the pair of them,” added Woodward.

The dominant Dockers went close when left-winger Ollie Milton put in a cross towards the near post and Carnegie first time flicked shot was heading towards the top near-corner, only for the outstanding Edwards to use a strong right hand to flick the ball over his crossbar, while diving.

Woodward added: “I thought he pulled off some fantastic saves and like I say, he kept them in the game.  I thought if we would’ve been 3-1 up or 4-1 up at half-time, I don’t think that would have been unjust.”

Woodward remained very calm as he experienced the first play-off of his career.

“Do you know what, it’s hard. It’s hard. I’m very passionate on the sideline.  I kick every ball. Yes, I was calm because you have got to stay calm in these situations. I’m also one yellow card from a suspension, so I didn’t want to miss the final.  It’s about staying calm and if you’re calm on the sideline, it helps the players.

“Believe, just believe. It’s not like you’re coming in 1-0 down and you’ve been battered.  You’ve defended the slope, they’ve had one chance and scored and you’ve had numerous chances and you’ve just got to believe.”

Glebe didn’t create anything else during the first half despite going down the slope.

“I think we just huffed and puffed,” admitted Power.

“I think we half ran out of ideas early doors. We’ve been playing some nice football from where we’ve been moving teams about. The build-up being a lot slower than what it was today.  I think we rushed a lot of our play.”

Glebe could have changed the outcome with a glorious chance to double their lead with 15:53 on the clock but Foley pulled off a brilliant save.

McDonald played the ball to striker Malachi Morris, who whipped in a great cross into the Erith Town box for Philpot, whose looping header was tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Foley’s strong right-hand.

Power said: “A great save by the goalie. He tipped it onto the bar but that’s what Philpot brings. He’s that danger inside the box and he’s devastating from crossing. If he receives a cross, his movement is so good. He attacks the ball so well. His timing is brilliant. Malachi, it was a greats delivery. Just unlucky, in the end, that makes it 2-0, we were comfortable.”

Woodward added: “A good save by Foley, a big moment from him and he’s obviously pulled off a good save there but we had to try to stop them making chances and second half I think we done that.”

Glebe centre-half Goode opened the gate for Taylor in the heart of the pitch before substitute Ladic Melconian put in a low cross from the left and Dyer controlled the ball before using his left-foot which was comfortably gathered by Edwards.

The Dockers produced a sweeping move which involved Miles and Dyer before Miles’ right-footed volley from 30-yards was destined to scream into the top right-hand corner, only for Edwards to dive to his left and grab hold of the ball.

Power was asked when he felt the momentum shift was and he claims it was a lot earlier in the game.

“I think from when we scored they won a free-kick quite early. Had a pop, put it back in then the goalie made a good save. I think from then on, I think it was more them than us really.”

After losing 4-2 at Deal Town in a top-of-the-table clash on 23 March, which turned out to be Oakins' and Nelson’s 68^th and final game in charge of Glebe, the Foxes went on to keep four clean-sheets against Punjab United (0-0), Sutton Athletic (2-0), Lydd Town (4-0) and Rusthall (2-0).

Erith Town’s dominance paid off as they deservedly scored their equaliser with 31:07 on the clock, with four players involved in a set-piece routine.

Miles floated a free-kick from within the left-channel, the ball was knocked down at the far post by McGeehan and the ball came to Ash, who swept his left-footed shot into the centre of the goal from six-yards.

It was the first goal that Glebe had conceded in 456 minutes of football.

“They’ve got a good back line.  We didn’t know what we were going to expect but to score two goals was good and to score the goals we did was good as well,” said Woodward.

“I think the two changes, Ladic Melconian and Bradley Ryan coming on changed the game. I think they were players that came on and done well to change the game.

“Fantastic goal from Tom. He’s been with me since the start. He’s one of the youngsters. He’s the only one that’s left.  Ronnie McLean is at Holmesdale on loan, Joe Chalker left, Alfie Eldridge left, Harry Lawrence left.  Tom stuck it out and he’s got his just rewards.  Two cup final winners’ medals and obviously a play-off final now and credit to Tom because he’s been superb. He’s Mr versatile for us.”

Power said: “We spoke about it because their strengths are from set-pieces. They attack the ball well. Their deliveries are always good. We said to the boys, win the first one, win the second one and you’ll be safe, but we lost the first one, lost the second one.

“It was coming, if I’m honest. We’ve lost a few headers and it dropped down and we were able to win the second ball but at that time it just dropped to one of them.”

Glebe lacked composure when Mampono played the ball in from the right and former Docker, substitute striker Rodney Eruotor controlled the ball before lashing his left-footed drive over the crossbar from 18-yards.

Woodward added: “Rodney was with us at the start of the season. He chose to not stay with us. He chose to go pastures new and unfortunately it wasn’t his night tonight.”

Erith Town left-back Jack Holland played the ball into Goodwin and his cross came in to the Glebe box and Dyer took a couple of touches before his left-footed shot bounced off Edwards legs before dropping down to collect.

The attacking midfielder has notched 33 goals this season and Woodward said: “James Dyer is a good player. Another one that’s come and stuck with us this year and he’s getting all the plaudits.”

Erith Town sealed the deal by scoring a deserved winner with 37 minutes and 58 seconds on the clock.

Miles broke down the middle and released substitute Melconian, who fed fellow substitute, winger Bradley Ryan down the left. He twisted and turned Glebe right-back Tom Hever before putting it on a plate for Taylor, who swept his left-footed shot into the bottom far corner from inside the six-yard box.

“That’s what Harry Taylor does.  We had a bit of a disagreement on Saturday because he didn’t train. I was a bit angry with him, a bit upset but we kissed and made up and he’s scored the winner tonight,” revealed Woodward.

“We argue all the time so he knows what I want from him and he knows I’m pushing him. He’s come out of County football and he doesn’t look out of place at this level or the level above.

“I think there were people here tonight sniffing around him but Harry Taylor and Louie Clarke have signed another year contract, which is good to keep them two signed.”

Power added: “We’ve had opportunities to clear it. I think our player (Goode) had a miss-kick of the ball and it dropped to the Harry Taylor and he’s swept home. It’s a good finish. Clear our lives we don’t end up in those situations.”

With play-offs in this level going straight to penalties (Isthmian League play-offs go into Extra Time first), Erith Town keeper Foley tried to score with a speculative left-footed free-kick some 60-yards from goal, which was comfortably caught by Edwards, to prevent the ball sailing into the top left-hand corner.

Coyle, 40, was thrown up front for stoppage time (51:33) and Glebe should have grabbed an equaliser with 50:43 on the clock.

Substitute right-winger Ali Fofanah whipped in a great cross into the box but Eruotor’s bullet header flew straight into Foley’s gloves.

Coyle has now retired following a glittering non-league career and he now takes over as Whitstable Town’s new manager, having been unveiled as Marcel Nimani’s successor on a two-year contract at the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club.

Power said: “Massive signing, massive signing and he’ll be sorely missed. He is a brilliant professional, brilliant player, brilliant person. Everything that you want in a footballer, he brings.

“I believe that he’s retiring now, so he’s going in there straight as a manager, not a player-manager and it’s duly deserved, a well-earned rest. Well, until he starts managing and the headache starts.”

Reflecting on the glorious chance to take it to penalties, Power replied: “He met it well, just straight at the goalie. Either side it ends up being two all and we go to penalties. It’s just one of those days.”

Woodward added: “Do you know what, I was going to say whatever the score was tonight that full credit has got to go to two teams tonight that made the play-off but credit has got to go to Craig Nelson and Danny Oakins.

“Listen, we didn’t know what to expect tonight.  This is the tie we did want. We wanted this tie tonight because there would be a bit of unrest within the camp after Craig and Danny left because they were flying.  A change from above has maybe cost them promotion in my opinion, no disrespect to Shaggy and Sweens (Power and Sweeney).

“They’ve stepped in and done really well but we wanted this tie. This is the one we wanted. We wanted these because without them two, I think the team changes the way it plays and that.”

Looking ahead to Monday’s winner-takes-all clash against Corinthian at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, Woodward said: “Corinthian’s will fancy it, they will fancy us. They would have looked at it and thought we’d like them but two underdogs in the final but it’s two teams that do everything for their clubs.  They work their nuts off for their clubs.  Two groups of players who are at their football clubs for the right reasons.

“Home advantage is good, so we want to get as many Dockers’ there as possible.”

When asked what it would mean to guide Erith Town to the Isthmian League for the very first time, Woodward replied: “Not for me, for the people above. The chairman and his wife have to put up with all the s**t.  The secretary, the old guys that have been here for how many years.  They deserve it. We’re just a group of players that go out to play for the club but we’ll try to do our best on Monday.

“I’m expecting a tough, tough game, tough game, (we had) a really hard final, really hard final, so we’re going to expect the same again.”

Power, who lost eight of his 11 games in charge of VCD Athletic, which ended in relegation after losing an Inter-Step Play-Off to Phoenix Sports, courtesy of a last-gasp Ryan Hayes penalty, on 29 April 2023, was asked about his Glebe future.

“We’ll we haven’t really spoken too much. We had a little chat but I said, ‘lets give it a little rest,’ until we see what happens, see where we are.  We’re going to have a little meet up later on in the week and we’ll have a little discussion.  We’ll let the dust settle, having a little discussion there and then and see where we go from there.”

When asked about his 16 games in football management, Power, 40, replied: “I enjoy it. I do enjoy it. I do enjoy it being around the boys, the changing rooms. I love the atmospheres but it’s different from being a player because you’re non-stop.  You are constant, where as a player you can switch off after a game.  As a manager you’re constantly thinking how can I do better? What can I do better?  How can I make this player better? How can I make us better? How can I nullify that?

“It’s just non-stop and you’re constantly on your phone so yes it’s definitely different but I am enjoying it.

"It's always a learning curve.  It's been a tough one because the boys are disappointed but I don't want them to be disappointed too much because they're a young bunch.

"I want them to learn from it. I want them to not feel that again. What I say to them is probably maybe get a bit more desire, more hunger out of the boys.  Maybe we could've changed a few things early doors. We just huffed and puffed but they were just better at it."

Glebe: Nathan Edwards, Tom Hever, Darion Dorwich, Parish Muirhead (Michael Adepoju 78), Jamie Coyle, Aaron Goode, Marcel McDonald (Anthony Adesite 69), Harvey Brand, Malachi Morris (Rodney Eruotor 63), Jamie Philpot, Nathan Mampono (Ali Fofanah 84).
Subs: Jargal Enkh

Goal:  Jamie Philpot 16

Booked: Jamie Philpot 53, Nathan Mampono 55, Aaron Goode 72, Tom Hever 88

Erith Town: Mackenzie Foley, Tom Ash, Jack Holland, George Goodwin, Calum McGeehan, Jerome Jayaguru, Ollie Milton (Ladic Melconian 63), James Miles (Aaron Jeffery 90), Harry Taylor, James Dyer, Harrison Carnegie (Bradley Ryan 74).
Subs: Ryan Mahal, Louie Clarke

Goals: Tom Ash 77, Harry Taylor 83

Booked: Aaron Jeffery 90

Attendance: 450
Referee: Mr Mark Fitzpatrick
Assistants: Mr Steve Roots & Mr Jack Heath
Fourth Official:  Mr Jack Smith