First Team Vs Beckenham Town

30 November 2019

Erith and Belvedere          1          Lake 73

Beckenham Town              1          Cox 90

LAST GASP HEARTBREAK FOR DERES

Erith and Belvedere came so close to doing their own position in the lower reaches of the SCEFL a big favour, as well as boosting those chasing Beckenham at the top of the table.  But an equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time pegged them back in what was still a hugely encouraging performance at Park View Road.

It was the second time the league leaders had bagged a last-minute goal against the Deres, as a similarly late strike had secured three points at Beckenham back in September in a good display before the poor run.

Addressing the decline, Owen Jones had re-signed Ramell Lake from Ashford United.  Lake was at the centre of much of the Deres’ best football during the run-in last season, and again shone in midfield alongside Jerome Wade, making his 50th Deres appearance.

Deres had the better chances in the first half and will have been encouraged to go in goalless against a side boasting 13 wins from 15 league games so far this season.  There was little goalmouth action in the opening period of the second half, but Lake gave notice that he was back with a quick turn and a low shot well held by Michael McEntegart in the 72nd minute.  A minute later Deres built another attack and this time Lake was quick to pounce on a Chan Quan cross from the right and give Deres the lead.

Beckenham redoubled their efforts and put Deres under severe pressure for the rest of the game, but another returnee, Dan Teeley, who was back in goal after a 4-game layoff, excelled in keeping them out.  15 minutes from time Shameek Farrell’s shot from distance was superbly tipped over the bar by the Deres keeper, and further efforts were held as optimism grew.

Five minutes from time Deres had a lucky escape as Beckenham left-back Archie Johnson’s shot from the left of the box hit the underside of the bar and bounced out.  (Archie is the grandson of Deres legend Colin Johnson, and it was distressing to talk to him afterwards and learn that Colin is in the advanced stages of dementia.)

Beckenham were really knocking on the door now, and further shots from Farrell and company hit the base of the post or were blocked by Teeley, until eventually in the second minute of four added on, Stefan Cox met a centre from the right with a shot from close in, just under the diving Teeley.

It kept the Deres in 17th position, but it was a heartening performance for the difficult winter weeks ahead.

DERES: Teeley; Hill, Barrett, Bannan, Yembra, Jones (Dobson 62), J Wade, Quan, Pope-Campbell (Muchenje 77), Lake, De Melo.

BECKS: McEntegart; Brand, Johnson, Kaffo (Nosike 77), Wanogho, Carter, Cox, Rooney, Farrell, Hall (Martins 77), Townsend.

DERES: Teeley; Hill, Barrett, Bannan, Yembra, Jones (Dobson 62), J Wade, Quan, Pope-Campbell (Muchenje 77), Lake, De Melo.

BECKS: McEntegart; Brand, Johnson, Kaffo (Nosike 77), Wanogho, Carter, Cox, Rooney, Farrell, Hall (Martins 77), Townsend.