13 September 2022

Erith and Belvedere          6          Richardson-Brown 16, Aderonmu 24, 64, Lear 43, Ward 85, Hudson 88

Punjab United                     2          Suman 19, Dawson 23

DERES MAKE STATEMENT OF INTENT

Erith and Belvedere made it six league wins in six as they eventually buried Punjab United with a scoreline that was maybe flattered by two late goals, but this was an excellent result and a statement of intent for the rest of the division.

The opening exchanges were bright, with Arun Suman netting in the second minute but well offside and Tyrell Richardson-Brown going close at the other end.  Suman drew a good save from Adam Molloy after a good Punjab move, and Bradley Ryan sent a ball across the face of goal but found no takers.  This was all in the first 15 minutes, before the game went into overdrive with four goals in nine breathless minutes.

In the 16th minute Richardson-Brown tapped in at the far post to put the Deres ahead.  Three minutes later Suman equalised from close range as Deres failed to clear.  Molloy took two attempts to hold a crisp free-kick by Emiliano Hysi, before Lea Dawson put Punjab 2-1 up in the 23rd minute, only for Tunde Aderonmu to equalise with a slick turn and shot a minute later.

On 38 minutes Molloy saved well from Hysi after another incisive Punjab move, but then two minutes from half-time some great work down the left wing led to a cross and a lovely glancing header by Danny Lear to give Deres a 3-2 half-time lead.  It had been breathless stuff and Punjab had given the defence plenty to think about, but Deres’ noses were in front.

Opening exchanges were even in the second half, Chandler Kasai slipping Ben Wilson and centring only for Hysi to hit it into the woods, and Nathan Palmer testing Liam Northwood with a curling shot.  Deres then went further ahead in the 64th minute when Aderonmu finished off a scramble after a free kick on the edge of the box for 4-2.  It could have been five 3 minutes later when Deres had a penalty following a foul by Theo McKenzie which earned him a second yellow, but Lear’s penalty was well saved.

Deres added two more in the last ten minutes.  In the 85th Richardson-Brown advanced down the right and Rory Ward headed his cross neatly into the corner, and two minutes from time a sweetly struck free kick by Malachi Hudson made it 6-2 leaving the home fans extremely happy.

DERES: Adam Molloy; Fraser Walker, Ben Wilson, Jerome Wade, Jack Miles, Reece Barrett, Tyrell Richardson-Brown, Bradley Ryan (George Monger 59), Tunde Aderonmu (Rory Ward 74), Danny Lear (Alfie Osbourne 80), Nathan Palmer (Malachi Hudson 70).

Attendance 75.