The points were shared in this Isthmian League Division One South East match between the bottom two at Eden Park Avenue as Beckenham Town and Erith & Belvedere played out an entertaining game.

It saw the hosts dominate for long spells only for the visitors to dig in defensively, along with some superb goalkeeping by Dillon Addai, and score an equaliser in second half added time. 

The game started with Beckenham, kicking away from the Clubhouse End, well on top. Finley Roberts, Freddie Nyhus & Henry Griffin all going close early on.

With The Becks pressing for long spells the play became more fractious with a number of free kicks awarded around the area by Referee Mr Parke who controlled the game well.

Roberts had a shot well saved by Deres’ Keeper Addai who then got up and also tipped over Abbad Agoro’s header from the rebound.

With the pressure from the home side continuing, Rhys Wyborn skidded a chance just wide of the far post before their breakthrough eventually came on 38 minutes when a long ball up field found Alfie Bloomfield who raced clear of the Erith defence and coolly slid the ball under Addai and into the far corner of the net for 1-0 from the edge of the area.

After falling behind The Dere’s rallied briefly, Khemani Aiyanyo having a shot saved by Nick Blue low down at his near post, but it was Addai who again had to make a good save soon after when he he saved Steven Townsend’s powerful effort.

Going into the break Addai denied Townsend again and Nyhus shot over as Becks looked to extend their lead. 

The second half saw Deres’ Macey Malyon have a shot saved by Blue, before Beckenham pressed again. Roberts had a free kick saved by Addai and Bloomfield fired wide, while Aiyanyo had an effort saved by Blue.

Griffin was next to see a shot saved by Addai and the young Erith & Belvedere keeper then thwarted Roberts when one on one, before Agoro headed wide at a corner and Townsend had another goal bound effort saved by Addai at close range.

Going into the final quarter Beckenham continued to push for a second goal, Dieko Falade was just off target twice after good work by Bloomfield and Townsend shot just wide before Roberts fired over. Going into the final ten minutes it started to look like the home side’s profligacy in front of goal may cost then as Erith & Belvedere started to rally.

Matt Holness set up Obed Yeboah who headed over and Billy French had a shot saved by Blue at close range. With the away side pressing with a series of late corners Yeboah headed over again before in the fifth minute of added on time, another set piece into the box eventually came out to Ernie Cheeseman who turned and hit the ball on the half volley, directing it just inside the far post to make it 1-1 right at the death.

There was barely time to restart the match before the final whistle sounded and the spoils were shared.

The result leaves both sides still in the bottom two, but they can take positives from the game as they look to claw their way to safety going into the final three months of the season.                                    

Beckenham: Blue, Paul, Wyborn, Agoro, Wanogho, Anderson, Griffin (Falade 61), Nyhus, Bloomfield, Roberts, Townsend.

Subs Not Used: Aina, Pink, Jalloh, Britnell.

Erith: Addai, Parkinson (Cheeseman 67), Martin, Morley, Strachan, French, Holness, Parkinson (Yeboah 57), Malyon Aiyanyo, Andrews.

Subs Not Used: Etumnu, Neary, Manktelow. 

Goals; BTFC – Bloomfield 38mins. EBFC – Cheeseman 95mins.  

HT 1-0 FT 1-1 

Att: 198         

Referee: Callum Parke