Guyliano Mpungi scored the only goal of the game with a great finish in a tight F.A. Vase encounter with Sussex based Loxwood F.C.

However, their success was really down to their defence who ensured that reserve goalkeeper Dan Teeley was able to have a relatively trouble free afternoon.

In the early stages, the visitors looked the stronger team and Nabeel Ghannam had the first chance but he delayed his shot and Teeley made a straightforward save.

Matt Neary then had a great chance for the Deres when a free kick was flicked on but he headed over from close range.

Luke Brodie got in behind for Loxwood and got a shot away but Teeley made another comfortable save before good positioning allowed him to save from Callum Dowdell at the near post.

After that, the Deres started to take control with Henry Dasofunjo causing problems. First he drove across the face of goal with nobody able to get on the end of it to slot home. Then he beat two men and cut in but his shot was claimed at the second attempt by Fraser Trigwell.

He continued to cause problems and Ghannam was fortunate to escape a caution for a poor foul on him before Dasofunjo sent Lauric Diakiesse away but he was forced wide and his shot was blocked away.

Another slow start by the Deres meant that Loxwood were again on the front foot after the break and Teeley got down well to save low to his left from a good Ghannam effort. The Loxwood striker then fired over before Erith twice gave away free kicks in dangerous places but the visitors didn’t make the most of them.

Brilliant work by Mpungi created an opportunity for him to get a shot away but he fired well over. However he made no mistake with his next chance. Dasofunjo’s shot struck Diakiesse and came out nicely to Mpungi and his crisp strike from outside the area was too good for a full stretch Trigwell.

Del Oldfield made an immediate change replacing Diakiesse with Marlon Patterson to help Jamie Taylor in front of the back four and Trigwell made a great point blank save to thwart Neary in the midst of a massive goalmouth scramble.

Mpungi then showed both sides of his game, first firing across the face of goal but nobody was able to finish and then making a crucial tackle at the other end as Jordon Warren shaped up to shoot.

Things got a bit strange after that. A defender was beaten in the air by Mpungi and clattered him, leaving the Deres man writhing on the ground. Eventually the referee stopped play and after a lengthy halt he re-started with a drop ball. Whether he expected Patterson to give it to Loxwood is unknown but when the Deres’ substitute kept the ball and looked to find a team-mate the referee blew his whistle and showed Patterson a yellow card but then awarded the Deres an indirect free kick.

As the game hit the latter stages, the Magpies didn’t really threaten and it was the hosts who had the last chance but Neary’s shot from a tight angle was beaten away by the shins of Trigwell.

Although by no means a classic performance, the Deres were worthy victors and will be at home again in the second qualifying round when they host Colliers Wood United,

Erith and Belvedere: Teeley, Adeyemo, Hawkins, Taylor, Curtis, Barrett, Dasofunjo, Allassani (Nosike 78), Diakiesse (Patterson 72), Neary, Mpungi (Oldfield 90+). Unused subs: Springett, Gayle.

Goalscorers: Mpungi (71)

Yellow cards: Patterson

Red cards: None

Loxwood: Trigwell , Frankland, Warren, Pierre (Smith 78), Broomage, Court, Brodie, Westlake, Broad, Ghannam (Stokes 64), Dowdell. Unused subs: Slaughter, Adegboye, Campbell-Francis.

Goalscorers: None

Yellow cards: Westlake, Brodie, Dowdell

Red cards: None

Referee: Eddie Smith

Assistants: Vincent Kennedy and Liam How Kong Fah

Attendance:

Pictures supplied by Dave Budden.