Although it was not all plain sailing, Erith and Belvedere defeated Forest Hill Park to progress in the SCEFL Challenge Cup.

With a division difference between the two clubs, many would have expected the Deres to have a straight-forward victory in the second round tie but, for the first hour there was nothing between the two sides.

The hosts might have gone ahead after just twelve seconds. Reece Barrett played a long ball over the top and Danny Lear went clean through but he could not keep his shot down. Then Chris Alhassan had an opportunity at the other end but couldn’t garner sufficient power to worry Rilwan Anibaba in the Erith goal.

Ryan Flack picked up a loose pass in midfield but his shot flew wide however it was Forest Hill Park who drew first blood. They won a free kick on the edge of the area and Rio Glean curled a superb effort over the wall and into the top corner.

Alhassan then had a great chance to add a second but shot inches past the far post. That proved costly as Erith levelled soon after. James Hawkins delivered a free kick and Freddie Cray rose to head home. Then, after a further five minutes, Erith scored again. Hawkins nicked possession and found Lear who finished well.

Chances were then at a premium with neither goalkeeper troubled until the closing stages of the first half although John Garcia fired a free kick over for the visitors.

Lear came close again just before the break when his close range header was kept out by the foot of goalkeeper Dillon Green.

After the interval, Forest Hill again caused problems and a goalmouth scramble following a John Garcia free kick and only a touch was needed to level. However, they did equalise ten minutes after the break. Alhassan came in from the left and, with the bench yelling at him to shoot, he surprised everyone by squaring it including Lucas Adkins who could only divert it into the bottom corner of his own net.

Six minutes later, the Deres regained the lead. Hawkins was again involved creating the opening and Richard Jimoh gave Green no chance. 

Hawkins curled a free kick just wide of the near post before Erith made it four. Flack made space in the middle before sending it out to Hawkins who crossed for Lear to score his second.

Searching for his hat-trick, Lear hit a low shot that was saved easily by Green before he had another good opportunity. Jimoh blasted a fierce effort that Green did well to beat out. Lear followed up and hit it first time but Green recovered to make an excellent save. 

That was his last opportunity as he was one of three Deres to be withdrawn in a triple substitution. One of the replacements Drew Allassani had a chance but shot over after playing a one-two with Jimoh. 

At the other end Joe Adkins went clear but hesitated believing himself to be offside and there was no conviction in his shot.

Henry Dasofunjo’s quick feet created a chance but it flew over the angle of post and bar before they added a fifth with a brilliant goal. James Dyer burst down the right wing and cut in before finishing superbly into the top corner.

Jason Johns broke free for the visitors but screwed his shot wide before Hawkins shot into the road at the other end Atkins had the last effort but shot across the face of goal.      

Erith and Belvedere: Anibaba, Lewis, Richards, Cray, Rooney, Barrett (Dyer 72), Jimoh, Atkins, Lear (Dasofunjo 72), Flack (D. Allassani 72), Hawkins.

Unused subs: Springett, Murphy.

Goalscorers: Cray (15), Lear (20) (66), Jimoh (61), Dyer (83) 

Yellow cards: Rooney 

Red cards: None

Forest Hill Park: Green, Orisatoki, Rock, Obanleowo, Follas, Lawal, Alaka (Johns 5), Ogunbiyi (Aly 54), Glean, Garcia, Alhassan ( Adkins 73).

Subs not used: Sentamu, Olayinka.

Goalscorers: Glean (10), Atkins o.g. (55) 

Yellow cards:  Alhassan, Orisatoki

Red cards: None

Referee: James Beadle

Assistants: Jack Mottram and Dan Wilson

Attendance: 77