On Monday afternoon, Erith and Belvedere entertain Tower Hamlets in a Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division fixture.
Both teams come into the game off the back of good wins on December 27th. The Deres won two-nil at Fisher courtesy of goals by Calum McGeehan shortly before half time and James Dyer midway through the second period.
Greg Benbow came on as a substitute for his second Erith and Belvedere debut during the second half, and he gives management team Dan Murphy and Marlon Patterson a different option in midfield as they look to push on in 2022.
At Mayplace Road there was an unexpected result when victory for Tower Hamlets over third place Erith Town moved them off bottom spot at the expense of Lordswood. Benas Vaivada put them ahead in the twenty-fourth minute and Wade Odedoyin made it two almost immediately.
It appeared that the Dockers had got out of jail and would go on to win when Harry Gamble and Michael Power wiped out the deficit with over twenty minutes remaining, but Odedoyin scored what turned out to be the decider twelve minutes from time. It also proved to be his last goal in Tower Hamlets colours as he has now moved on to Phoenix Sports.
This will be the return fixture as the two clubs met at Tower Hamlets ground (shared with Phoenix Sports) in early August. On that balmy evening the Deres went ahead through Drew Allassani in the fourth minute. Odedoyin levelled midway through the first half but Ollie Bate put the visitors in front again before the interval.
Benga Ogunseye scored a second half brace for Erith and Bate added another as they ran out comfortable winners. If Tower Hamlets follow up on their result against Erith Town, the Deres may not find it quite so straightforward this time around.
Picture supplied by Dave Budden.