On Saturday, VCD Athletic and Erith and Belvedere meet in Southern Counties East Football League derby match.

Ross Baker and Danny Joy’s Vickers are top of the league table but have Faversham breathing down their necks with each club having suffered just one league defeat. The Crayford based club played an extraordinary game last weekend.

They visited Holmesdale and went ahead through Francis Babalola before Cameron Smart levelled, and Sam Bayford put the hosts ahead from the spot. Shortly after the interval former Dere Bradley Ryan put Holmesdale three-one up but Ollie Freeman pulled one back immediately.

Connor Dymond equalised on the hour mark, but another Bayford penalty put the Dalers four-three up. Nathan Olawole restored parity before Bayford completed his hat-trick, this time from open play. It was then the Vickers’ turn to be awarded a spot kick and Babalola converted. At five-all, there were still eleven minutes on the clock but neither side was able to find a winner.

Meanwhile, Erith and Belvedere were having to remain patient against bottom club Lydd Town who were reduced to ten men shortly before half time. Nineteen minutes remained when Danny Lear was brought on as a substitute, returning after a long term injury. Eight minutes after coming on for his first appearance of the season, he put them ahead. Ryan Fowler scored in the final minute of normal time to guarantee the three points. They are in ninth place, five points outside the play-off zone.

At home, VCD are unbeaten having won seven and drawn two. The Deres away record is three wins, three draws and five defeats.

Back on August Bank Monday, the two teams played out a goal-less draw at the Acclaim Handling Stadium, Park View Road. Other than that, there have been no recent league meetings between the clubs as they have played in different divisions.

Although the Vickers will start as favourites, festive season local derbies don’t always go to form and both teams will want to finish 2024 with a victory.

Image courtesy of Dave Budden