In treacherous weather conditions hosts Erith Town claimed a crucial three points at the expense of Holmesdale.

Heavy rain and cold winds made it difficult to play football and the Dockers had to work hard to beat a team that can’t reach the play-offs or get relegated.

Andy Constable’s Dalers came out the quicker and Erith had to dig deep to defend a series of corners. The Odedoyin brothers then combined to create an opportunity when Wale flicked it on to send Tola through but his first time lob drifted wide.

Callum Keeble had a shot for the visitors that struck a team-mate and ballooned over. Harry Taylor then hit an optimistic thirty yard volley that went harmlessly wide for Erith before the Dalers had another chance when Tola Odeboyin broke through but Mackenzie Foley came out quickly to make the block.  

Excellent wing play by Harrison Carnegie then created an opening for Erith when he picked out Taylor who hooked downwards only to be thwarted by a stunning save by Liam Northwood who somehow managed to turn it over.

Four minutes before half time the Dockers scored from an almost identical move. Another brilliant Carnegie cross picked out Taylor and this time he gave Northwood no chance with a clinical finish.

Early in the second period Wale Odeboyin beat the offside trap and tried to round Foley but the Erith goalkeeper stayed on his feet and made the block.

Carnegie caused further problems when his cross was knocked out as far as Ladic Melconian but his effort flew over. However, Erith scored again shortly afterwards. Yet again Carnegie was the architect when his clever wing play created a chance for James Dyer. His composure allowed him to side-step a defender before slotting home.

Jack Holland shot well wide for the Dockers before Melconian had a long shot parried by Northwood. Another Melconian drive was tipped over before Bradley Ryan’s long range shot was pushed wide by an increasingly busy Northwood.

As the game moved into the latter stages, Holmesdale missed a good opportunity when Albie O’Mara-Knapp intercepted a pass out but failed to hit the target with his shot before he hooked it in for David Ajao who also shot wide.

Seconds remained when the visitors scored a consolation goal. Alessio Akebogu got on the end of a long free kick just ahead of Foley and his header flew home. 

There was barely time for the game to restart before the referee brought the proceedings to a close.

Erith Town: Foley, Holland, Goodwin, Jayaguru, Ash, Miller (Jeffrey 85), Ryan, Melconian (Blackwood 85), Dyer (Lovell 79), Taylor (Green 89) Carnegie (Miles 60).

Goal scorers: Taylor (41), Dyer (55)

Yellow cards: None

Holmesdale: Northwood, McKenzie, Harris (Dafallah 60), Musoke, MacAuley, Mansaray, Hernandez (Ajao 71), Keeble, W. Odedoyin (Akabuogu 71), Lugboso, T. Odedoyin (O’Mara-Knapp 60).

Unused sub: King.

Goal scorers: Akabuogu (90+3)

Yellow cards: MacAuley, T. Odedoyin, 

Referee: James Mottram

Assistants: James Beadle and Gavin Farringdon

Attendance: 126