An entertaining local derby ended even Stevens as Thamesmead Town and VCD Athletic shared four goals.

In the early stages, Thamesmead looked very lively and might have scored in the opening minutes when Bode Anidugbe surged into the right side of the area but snatched his shot wide.

Danny Parish then crossed for Paul Vines and his miss-hit shot almost caught Joe Mant out but the goalkeeper recovered well to claw away.

Sadly for Thamesmead they were forced into making a change after less than ten minutes when Ellis Green limped off to be replaced by Laurent Mendy.

That didn’t stunt the hosts, however, and five minutes later they went ahead. Paul Vines sent Parish away and he rounded Mant to finish.

However, within four minutes, the Vickers were level. Aymun El-Moyhalbel threaded a pass to send Warren Mfula free. He had the strength and speed to hold off Harvey Brand before racing away, going round Lewis Carey, and tucking it away in style.

Moments later Mfula broke away again but this time shot early and his fierce drive was well saved by Carey.

The Vickers went ahead on the half hour mark when Archie Cue hit a first time shot from twenty five yards that Carey could only watch go in off the far post. Dartford manager Tony Burman was sitting in the stand and would have enjoyed seeing the two players that he has loaned to VCD hitting the target.

Alistair Gordon burst through for VCD but flashed his shot just past the post then, at the other end, Parish got free but was forced wide by Junior Baker to allow Mant to make a comfortable save.

Mfula twisted and turned before firing another powerful shot that Carey had to beat out but Thamesmead had the final chance of the half when Mant made a good save from Anidugbe before pouncing on the loose ball as Parish closed in.

After the break, Brand shot wide before Tom O’Connor pulled back to Parish whose shot was saved easily.

Parish then turned provider to find Mendy but Mant made a great save and the Vickers’ goalkeeper was soon in action again when saving from Parish after he had got free.

El-Moyhalbel and Marc Gorbell combined to find Mfula but he delayed his shot and Carey was able to save.

Cue had a shot from distance saved before the Mead levelled. Some penalty area pinball ended when it came out to Anidugbe and he finished clinically.

Solomon Taiwo shot wide as the hosts looked to go ahead then Brand went on a run before finding O’Connor whose shot flew across the face of the goal.

El-Moyhalbel hit a low drive just wide for VCD before Anidugbe had a shot beaten out by Mant at the expense of a corner. Mant then made an even better save when O’Connor met the delivery with a powerful header that Mant did well to turn over.

Vines had a shot blocked by Baker then Mant made an easy save from a Richard Avery long shot.

Mendy thought that he had put the Mead ahead from Parish’s pass but had strayed offside and it was disallowed.

O’Connor shot wide from another Parish shot then Vines was crowded out by Gorbell as the Mead finished strongly.

They could have ended with nothing, though, when Vickers substitute Oulgbenga Jubrill showed great skill to break clear of his defender but Avery got back well to force him into hurrying his shot and Carey was able to save.

Both teams have tough trips on Saturday. The Mead have the long journey to Guernsey while VCD visit fourth placed Greenwich Borough.

 

Thamesmead Town: Carey, Brand, Danquah, Taiwo, Avery, Adelowo, Green (Mendy 9), O’Connor, Vines, Parish, Anidugbe.

Subs not used: Smith, Laker, Ovenden.

 

VCD Athletic: Mant, Imudia, Gyamfi (Jubrill 77), Baker, Gorbell, Blackwood, Adebayo (Adeyolla 90), Gordon, Mfula (Kamara 63), El-Moyhalbel, Cue.

Subs not used: Camara, Sekhon.

 

Thamesmead Town:

Goalscorers: Parish (14), Anidugbe (66)

Yellow cards: Taiwo, Mendy

Red cards: None

 

VCD Athletic:

Goalscorers : Mfula (18), Cue (30)

Yellow cards: Gorbell, Gordon

Red cards: None

 

Referee: Steven Scott

Assistants:.Turun Yesilyurt and William Davis

 

Attendance: 81

 

Man of the Match: Joe Mant