At this time last season, neither Phoenix Sports nor Erith and Belvedere would have had thoughts on the Velocity Cup.

Both were in the Southern Counties East Football League with other things on their minds. However, nearly nine months later both had earned promotion to the Isthmian League South East, the Deres as champions and the Sports, who finished as runners up, as play-off winners. They beat neighbours VCD in a one match winner takes all shoot out. Now they have the Isthmian League Cup as an interest.

Neither club has got off to a flier in the league. Having been knocked out of the F.A. Cup at home to Eastbourne United in the Extra Preliminary Round, the Sports have drawn nil-nil at home to Chichester City before being beaten at Three Bridges on Saturday in a see-saw match. They went behind to a Noel Leighton goal with just under fifteen minutes on the clock but levelled through Bobby Mills three minutes later.

Leighton scored again on the half hour mark but, again, the Sports levelled within three minutes when Ryan Hayes converted from the spot. Just eight minutes remained when Tressor Difika put the hosts back in front and this time, there was no come-back as Difika scored again with three minutes remaining.

For the Deres, the league campaign has been played one lost one, but the F.A. Cup has given them joy. In the extra preliminary round they thumped Littlehampton Town six nil away with Josh Ajayi and Chris Dickson each notching braces and Finn O’Mara and T Q Addy also on the score-sheet.

On Saturday, they saw off Stansfeld with O’Mara and Dickson again on the scoresheet and their reward for winning is a First Qualifying Round game against Hastings United.

As this is a local derby, even if the Velocity Cup is not top of their priority list, both clubs will be keen to claim the early season bragging rights ahead of the long campaign ahead.