1 April 2023

 

Rusthall                                1          Clarke 49

Erith and Belvedere          5          Bennett 2, Elliott 12, 28, Adesite 20, 72

 

DERES SALVAGE A POINT

 

After struggling at home with two points from the last four home games, Matt Longhurst’s Deres produced a stunning opening half-hour to get an easy three points at what is usually a difficult venue.

 

Only Ryan Johnson, Rob Strachan and Lewis Chambers from the pre-Longhurst team started the game, with George Monger, Tyrell Richardson-Brown and Ben Wilson coming on from the bench.  Henry Burnett, the last signing of the season on loan from Billericay Town, made his debut and three of the new boys got on the scoresheet.

 

The opening goal came within two minutes as Anthony Adesite set up Billy Bennett for a fine finish.  It was nearly two in the 9th minute when Marcus Elliott turned sharply on a chance and ex-Deres keeper Tommy Taylor saved well to his left, but three minutes later Elliott did add the second, reacting quickest after Billy Bennett had hit a post.  It was Elliott’s first Deres goal for 11½ years! – since he scored 4 in a 7-1 win at Woodstock Sports on 27 August 2011.

 

Rusthall nearly pulled one back on 14 minutes, Jordan Perrin making a good stop from Louie Clarke, but Deres went three up in the 20th minute when Elliott’s cross was converted by Adesite.  On 28 minutes a simple header gave Elliott his second and Deres’ fourth within the opening half-hour, and it was nearly five before half-time when Taylor made a great save from a top-bins shot by Ryan Johnson in the 39th minute.

 

It had been a remarkable display of sharpness and quick reactions giving Deres a four-goal half-time lead, and although anything could happen they were looking comfortable.

 

Indeed the Rustics pulled one back four minutes into the second half through Clarke, but that was their best moment of the game.  Ryan Khanye went close on 53 minutes with a shot well held by Taylor, and with 18 minutes to go Deres made it 5-1 with the best goal of the match: great holding work on the edge of the box by Ryan Khanye, and a clever ball to Bennett whose cross was met by Adesite to complete the second brace of the game.

 

In the 80th minute Adesite and Bennett were replaced by Monger and Richardson-Brown, and the latter shot just over the bar within seconds.  Soon afterwards the whistle blew on a statement performance which suggests Deres might still be on course for the title.  But Phoenix beat Punjab United 4-3 and Erith Town won 7-1 at imploding K Sports, leaving Phoenix seven points behind with a game in hand.

 

DERES: Jordan Perrin; Theo Osinfolarin, Ryan Khanye, Ryan Johnson, Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, Rob Strachan, Prince Domafriyie (Ben Wilson 90), Lewis Chambers, Marcus Elliott (Henry Burnett 89), Billy Bennett (Tyrell Richardson-Brown 80), Anthony Adesite (George Monger 80)

 

 

 

 

8 April 2023

 

Erith and Belvedere          3          Chambers 28, Howlett-Mundle 45, Lear 90

Bearsted                               0

 

The Deres’ first win in their last five home games continued their march towards the SCEFL title, as Phoenix Sports were held 1-1 at Stansfeld to widen the gap to 6 points with four games remaining.  But those remaining fixtures include a tough trip to Tunbridge Wells and a visit from pursuers Deal Town.

 

Apart from a Marcus Elliott shot from Lewis Chambers’ long throw in the 4th minute, leading to a corner that was scrambled away, little of not happened in the first 20 minutes.  But then came perhaps the decisive moment of the game: Prince Domafriyie broke clear and was brought down by Bearsted keeper Frankie Leonard, who was red-carded.  Bears skipper Dan Melvin took over in goal, and Deres had an opportunity to take advantage of the extra man.

 

The chance was taken in the 28th minute when Lewis Chambers bundled the ball home after good work by Domafriyie down the left.  Yet there were no further clear-cut chances until first-half stoppage time when Domafriyie ran on to a chance and Melvin does well to turn it round for a corner.  From the corner a piece of opportunism gave Jahmal Howlett-Mundle his first Deres goal and a 2-0 half-time lead.

 

Deres had further chances early in the second half.  A 58th-minute scramble in the Bears goal area resulted in Strachan not quite getting a finishing touch.  Theo Osinfolarin played a neat one-two with Billy Bennett but was blocked by Melvin in goal, and a minute later Marcus Elliott headed over from close range.

 

Bearsted nearly struck back on 67 minutes when Callum McCarthy breaks clear but gets little power in the shot, and this was their only decent chance of the half.  The game meandered somewhat to a close, until the 90th minute when Domafriyie motored down the left and laid on a glorious chance buried by Danny Lear.

 

DERES: Damian Niemczycki, Theo Osinfolarin, Ryan Khanye, Ryan Johnson (George Monger 90), Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, Rob Strachan, Prince Domafriyie, Lewis Chambers (George Snelling 90), Marcus Elliott (Danny Lear 70), Billy Bennett (Henry Burnett 81), Anthony Adesite.  Sub: Ben Wilson.

 

Bears: Frankie Leonard; Shae Echema,