As was to be expected from a match between the teams in third and fourth place, Glebe and Erith and Belvedere contested a tight match but it was the hosts who prevailed.

They started brightly and Jamie Philpot had the first effort but fired over after Charlie Penny laid it back to him. Philpot then turned provider when laying it off for Brad Wilson but his first time shot flew over.

However, the Deres had a great chance soon after. Danny Lear was sent clear but his attempt to slip it past George Kamurasi was unsuccessful as the Glebe goalkeeper made a good save.

Rilwan Anibaba came out and was caught in possession by Philpot. It fell into the path of Wilson who fired into the empty net from twenty-five yards out but the referee deemed Philpot to have fouled Anibaba and the goal was chalked off.

Philpot tried his luck from out wide but failed to hit the target before his next shot was straight at Anibaba. The Erith custodian then saved well from Kalvin Morath-Gibbs’ header and it came out to Philpot but he couldn’t force it home.

James Dyer fired over for the Deres before Lear was again sent clear but, once more, he was unable to slide it beyond Kamursai. Stefan Cox hit a first time shot wide but the visitors were made to pay for missing their chances when Glebe went ahead five minutes before half time. 

Wilson made space for himself and fired low just inside the post from twenty yards out. It could have been worse for the Deres moments later when Dami Olorunnisomo shot low but Anibaba got down well to make the save.

Six minutes after the interval, Glebe scored the crucial second. Anibaba was unable to hold onto Philpot’s shot and when it came back to him, he made no mistake. 

Just past the hour mark, Glebe made it three. Philpot did well to create a shooting chance for himself and the deflection fell kindly for Sam Johnson who swept it home from close range.

Ainsley Everett fired well over as Glebe looked to turn the screw and things got worse for the visitors when they were reduced to ten men. Rob Curtis collapsed injured as Lanre Azeez burst through. Calum McGeehan tried to cover but mistimed his tackle giving the referee no option other than to send him off. Curtis was unable to continue and Erith had lost both their centre-backs.

Despite being short-handed, Erith continued to search for a goal and Lee Lewis shot wide. However, they did manage a consolation goal with six minutes remaining. Lear shot from distance and it squirmed under Kamursai and into the net.

It could have been a nervy last few minutes for Glebe but Olorunnisomo got back to block Richard Jimoh’s effort off the line.

Victory for Glebe took them to within one point of Sheppey United in second place while the Deres remain in fourth place but now ten points behind.

Glebe: Kamurasi, Olorunnisomo, Parsons, Douglas, Morath-Gibbs,  Holder, Penny (Hever 54), Everett, Philpot (Azeez 71), Wilson (Chin 78), Johnson.

Subs not used: King-Elliott, Baugh. 

Goalscorers: Wilson (40), Philpot (51), Johnson (60)

Yellow cards: None

Red cards: None

Erith and Belvedere: Anibaba, Lewis, Barrett, D. Allassani, Curtis (Spencer 77), McGeehan, Cox, Palmer, Lear (Jimoh 87), Dyer, Hawkins (Pepple 69).

Unused subs: None

Goalscorers: Lear 

Yellow cards: Cox

Red Cards: McGeehan

Referee: Benjamin McDonald

Assistants: Stephen Roots and Alexis Stacchini