Bromleians Reserves 1-2 Erith & Belvedere Reserves, Kent County Division 2 West, 03 September 2022

Written by: Steve Burn, Erith & Belvedere Reserve Team Reporter.

The Deres Reserves' second League fixture, again away from home, started well with a second minute chance falling to Duaine Nwadikwa with the Bromleian keeper saving well. The keeper also did well to keep out a Charley Crane free kick in the 10th minute. Ray Marshall, the Deres keeper, was called into action to save a strong headed attempt by the opponents striker. But it was largely The Deres who enjoyed the better possession particularly down the right flank where Lewis Smale impressed with pace, energy and some slick passing through the midfield and into the strikers channels.

Banji Duda was pulling the strings in the centre of the park and the home team were forced into an early substitution as the Deres pressure told.

On the 32nd minute Bromleians tried a long range effort, as they were struggling to get any real progress against an impressive Deres back four of Smale, Reardon, Watts and Crane.

At the other end, Tommy Brown crashed a long range effort into the bar.

Some late first half pressure from the home team saw them hit the side netting after some clever build up play and both teams needed the referee to intervene as the game became a more evenly contested fixture.

Half Time 0-0

The Deres manager replaced Lewis Smale, who was starting to feel unwell following an illness, and Louis Davis quickly settled into the game.

The boys in blue kept the pressure on with Joe Watts going close with a header and on 51 minutes they were awarded a penalty following a handball. Tommy Brown scored from the spot.

Chris Melded replaced the hard working Ellisee Souanga and after some good Deres possession the ball fell nicely for Tommy Brown to smash a 30 yard shot high into the opponents net..

On the hour mark the replacements were having a real impact on the teams performance and when Henry Taylor replaced Adeleke Babatunde, the Deres retained their shape and performance levels which saw a passage of play from defence through midfield into a goal scoring opportunity, that was narrowly missed. Manager, James Burn enjoyed that!

On 88 minutes Bromleians scored from a header, but despite a nervy, fractious ending to another very competitive encounter, The Deres secured all three points and go 2nd in the division.

Steve Burn, Erith & Belvedere Reserve Team Reporter