Erith & Belvedere progressed to the next stage of the FA Vase on their road to Wembley beating opponents Yaxley 1-0 in a hard-fought and close encounter at Park View Road.

With all the scheduled FA Vase matches the day before all eyes were on Erith & Belvedere and Yaxley – The nomadic hosts’ pitch seeing its second game played on it in 24hrs – And having been drawn away from home in every round to date, The Dere’s were no doubt looking forward to home advantage.

The public warmed to the prospect of a Sunday afternoon fixture too despite the bitterly cold weather with the crowd of 212 being The Dere’s biggest ever FA Vase crowd and it also being their biggest crowd in eight years.

Beginning with a minutes applause due to the death before Christmas of a former Dere’s player from their 1938 cup winning era, the hosts began the better side and almost took an early lead in the opening thirty seconds – A long punt up-field by George Kamurasi caused confusion at the back for Yaxley as visiting ‘keeper Aaron Butcher came charging off his line but his covering defender headed past him but it went well wide for a corner.

The Dere’s took an early lead, however, when Byron Walker, picking up the ball on the edge of his own penalty box, ran the length of the pitch laying the ball off to Adam Marsh on the left edge of the visitors penalty area – Marsh turned well striking a low right footed effort past the despairing dive of Butcher, the ball settling in his bottom left hand corner.

Despite the early lead it was the visitors who responded the better – The Cuckoo’s dominating proceedings thereafter. Kamurasi did well after a well struck shot by Liam Hook from range – The ‘keeper saving well and pouncing on the loose ball before either one of two opposing strikers could capitalise.

Hook, proving to be a menace to The Dere’s, then saw his long range effort come back off the post with Kamurasi well beaten.

The Dere’s endangered Yaxley’s goal before half time when Allan Matthews’ high looping ball into box had Butcher backpedalling as the ball fell agonisingly and narrowly over the bar.

The Cuckoo’s were unlucky not too equalise shortly before the break as they were awarded a penalty after David Cobb was felled in the box by Dere’s Captain Alfie May  – Unfortunately for the visitors Rob Hughes’ poorly struck spot kick was easily saved by Kamurasi low to his left.

The second half continued in similar fashion as the visitors, trying to get back on level terms, dominated.

Dan Cotton proved to be a thorn in the hosts’ side as he caused danger down his left, The Dere’s right hand side. After good work early in the second period Cotton’s ball across goal evaded everyone much to the home sides’ relief – Cotton then missed a guilt edged opportunity running through on goal one-on-one after Ryan Johnson played a poorly executed offside trap but ‘keeper Kamurasi saved well with his legs.

The dangerous Walker danced through Yaxley’s defence past three players but his shot showed little composure blazing well wide.

Cotton continued to cause danger but first his shot was blocked and from the rebound his attempted cross was also well blocked – The Dere’s showing great resolve at the back to keep their lead.

With ten minutes remaining Captain May pounced on a loose ball but his shot was deflected wide for a corner – From the second of two, Sam Groombridge put his free header wide when well placed in front of goal.

As the game came to its conclusion, and Yaxley desperate to get their deserved equaliser, they saw a free header from a free kick go harmlessly wide and finally in injury time, good work by substitute Andy Furnell and Hughes – the latter laying the ball off to an unmarked Cotton inside the box – saw the busy winger have his shot saved once again by Kamurasi’s legs – From the ensuing danger The Dere’s held out to clear the ball.

Soon afterwards the final whistle was blown and The Dere’s are the ones to progress to the next round of the FA Vase.

 

Erith & Belvedere: Kamurasi, Matthews, Craig, Richmond, Groombridge, Johnson, Springett, L. May (Hales, HT), A. May ©, Marsh (Parkinson, 76), Walker (Minter, 80)

Sub not used: Wilson, Jackson

Goals: Marsh (5)

 

Yaxley: Butcher, Duncliffe, Hipwell, Nolan (Hailstone, 76), Stone, Morris ©, Cobb, Hook (Furnell, 69), Carter, Hughes, Cotton

Subs not used: Cooke, Coleman

 

Att: 212

Referee: Mr Thomas Ramsey

Asst Referees: Mr Andrea Timpani & Mr Stuart Gillman

Fourth Official: Mr Craig Pullen