George Humber’s brace helped Erith and Belvedere see off Colliers Wood in an excellent team performance.

It was just the boost that the Deres needed but as happy with the result as he was, manager Del Oldfield remained grounded.

Of the game he said “I think the early goal settled us down. We carried on to play some good football for another twenty / twenty-five minutes after that, then we took our foot off the pedal, I thought.

“I said that to them at half time.” he continued. “It was just a case of composing, getting back into our shape, not reacting to their little bit of stupidness, we didn’t to be fair, and we’ll be fine. I thought the last two goals were great team goals. In fact all three goals were great team goals.

“I don’t think anything was left out there by anyone. I think everyone gave a good honest account of themselves. We had a bit of a chat on Thursday and said that we’re better than what we’re showing at the moment and we needed a reaction and we got it.

“We came out of the blocks really well. That was our intention. Then from the start of the second half to the end we were dominating. We didn’t look threatened.”

Having not won since their last Vase tie, Oldfield made some adjustments. He explained “We changed our shape today, which is something that we spoke about, and we can push on from that.

“One of the things that we did say was that no matter if we lost today, even if we conceded goals, we were going to stick with it and we’re going to keep learning, we’re going to keep improving, and we’re going to keep coaching.”

Defensively, they were outstanding and goalkeeper Rilwan Anibaba wasn’t called into making a save until two minutes from time. However, as well as the defenders played, Oldfield was keen to praise every player for that. “That’s a team thing.” he explained. “It starts with the two boys up front.

“When you see people in front of you doing the dog work, if you like, it goes around the team. You think ‘if he’s doing it, I’d better do it’ even if you don’t want to do it. It was good.

“We’ve come off a bad run, four defeats in five and a draw, but the togetherness is never in doubt. If you’re in our dressing room, at training, in our group chat, you’ll see that.

“Today, I thought the boys were clinical. They looked like a threat for the first time this season as a team, but certainly as an attacking force.”

However, they cannot bask in their glory for too long as they are back in Southern Counties East Football League action on Tuesday and Oldfield is ready.

“This is all very nice to have a cup run but our bread and butter’s the league and the Vase will have to go out of the window.”he said.

“I don’t even know when the next round is, I’ve not been looking. We’ve got two very tricky matches to come, Fisher away and Canterbury here next weekend and we’re looking for points.

“Outside the top five or six anyone can beat anyone on their day. It just depends on which version of that team turns up. If this version of that team turns up, it’s going to be s long night or day for anyone else.

“We’ve still got eight on the injury list nut we seem to be managing it quite well with the players we’ve got.”

Images courtesy of Dave Budden