The next game in the Velocity Trophy Group Nine is a local derby between VCD Athletic and Phoenix Sports.

Tom Ripley’s late winner for Sevenoaks Town at Cray Valley PM, last Tuesday put the Oaks in pole position with eight points from three games and left the Millers at the foot of the table with two points. Phoenix and Sittingbourne, each have three points from two games whilst VCD have two points from losing draws but a better goal difference than Cray having played one game fewer.

For those unaware, if a game in this competition is level after 90 minutes, there is a penalty shoot-out with the victors claiming a bonus point, hence winning and losing draws. Another difference is that teams are allowed to use all five of their substitutes, although an assistant referee appeared to be unaware of it at Cray last week.

Not only is there little to choose between the two Bexley Borough clubs in this tournament, just a point separates them, they are only two places and two points apart in the BetVictor Isthmian League South East Division with the Vickers holding the slight advantage.

However, for those who believe in momentum, it’s the Sports who have the upper hand. They started in disastrous fashion losing their first five games which included a six-nil F.A. Cup defeat at home to Staines Town.

Since then, their only defeat in seven games was against Sevenoaks in the Velocity Trophy. On Saturday they won two-nil at Burgess Hill Town in the F.A. Trophy a week after beating the same team in the league. Their reward is a home draw against Kings Langley.

VCD have already played fourteen league and cup games already this season and are only outside the play-off zone on goal difference but have dropped off slightly recently having lost their last two league and cup games following three draws. Their F.A Trophy game on Saturday was particularly disappointing, losing four-one at home to AFC Sudbury after going ahead early on.

It’s still early in the season, though, and both teams have an abundance of quality. Although the Velocity Trophy may not be their primary objective the fact that the two clubs are so close geographically means that both will want the bragging rights so there should be a competitive match in store.