5 September 2020

 

Erith and Belvedere          3          Curtis 15, Mpungi 55, Dasofunjo 88

Chatham Town                   4          R Hayes 33, Bodkin 61, 86, Rooney pen 77

 

REVITALISED DERES PLAY THEIR PART IN A CLASSIC

When Erith and Belvedere hosted Chatham Town in February, they crashed to their worst ever home league defeat to the tune of 8-1 while in the throes of one of the biggest upheavals in the club’s history.  This time, with a settled side from pre-season and a totally different mindset, they pushed the title favourites all the way and more than played their part in a cracking match - but the Chats had just that little bit of quality to claim the three points.

 

Early chances went to the visitors but Paul Hayes’ effort was straight at Deres keeper Rilwan Anibaba, then Ryan Hayes missed a good chance when firing over from close range.

 

However, it was the hosts that broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when player-coach Marlon Patterson slung in a free kick and Rob Curtis rose at the far post to head home.

 

Luke Rooney shot over for the Chats before Erith put together a good move that ended with Malik Nosike going close.  Then just after the half hour mark, the visitors levelled.  Ryan Hayes played a one-two with namesake Paul and worked his way into the penalty area before passing his shot inside the far post.

 

Chances were few and far between for the rest of the first period although Charles Dickens had a good chance for Chatham but was unable to find the target.

 

Immediately after the break Nosike sent a free kick into Park View Road, before the Deres regained the lead spectacularly on 55 minutes.  George Oldfield sent over a deep cross and Guyliano Mpungi controlled it before powering in a shot that almost burst the net.

 

Six minutes later the scores were level again when Matt Bodkin was left free to finish in style.  Soon afterwards Lauric Diakiesse brought two saves out of Jordan Carey at one end before Bodkin took a free kick from out wide that beat everyone but just went beyond the far post. He came close again soon afterwards when his header brought out a stunning save from Rilwan Anibaba.

 

Chatham took the lead for the first time when one substitute, Max Gayle, brought down another, Ike Orji, in the penalty area.  Rooney took the responsibility and fired home confidently from the spot.

 

Erith almost levelled soon after when Diakiesse’s shot rattled the near post; however the Chats went on another raid and added a fourth.  Ryan Hayes pulled back to Bodkin and Anibaba made a great save with his feet. Although it looked as though the danger had been cleared, it was launched back in and Bodkin met it with an acrobatic volley into the top corner.

 

To their credit, the Deres’ heads did not drop and they went straight up to the other end with Henry Dasofunjo scoring a great individual goal. They tried desperately to score a leveller but Diakiesse spun and shot over before Mpungi cut in but could only slice it wide.  The latter effort followed a very slick move down the right wing and would have been a Goal of the Season contender! – and it summed up why the mood in the bar afterwards was one of optimism despite the defeat.  If the Deres can take the battle to the title favourites like this, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in this season’s SCEFL.

 

DERES: Anibaba, Oldfield (Adeyemi 61), Springett (Gayle 75), Patterson, Curtis, Barrett, Dasofunjo, Taylor (Allassani 61), Diakiesse, Nosike, Mpungi. Unused sub: Humber.

Yellow cards: Allassani, Curtis, Gayle

 

CHATS: Carey, Pilbeam (Orji 59), Lawal (Robins 66), Butler, Dickens, Ajayi, R Hayes (Abioye 66), Rooney, P Hayes, Bodkin, Dalton. Unused subs: Brown, Sherminant.

Yellow card: Carey

 

Referee: Damian Mirzadeh

Assistants: Stephen Roots and Kevin Howard

Attendance: 138

 

With thanks to MARK DOIG of KENT SPORTS NEWS.