On an icy afternoon, when the local football programme was decimated, Chislehurst Glebe’s new 3g playing surface meant that their Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division game against Corinthian was one of very few to be played.

They were rewarded with a victory that allowed them to go move five points clear of the bottom two, and to within one point of their visitors.

Tom Mitcham had the first effort for Corinthian during a cagey first fifteen minutes but the Foxes goalkeeper, Nathan Edwards claimed it comfortably.

Then, in the sixteenth minute, the home team went ahead. Jeferson Bento slung over a high cross that goalkeeper Fletcher Hegarty was unable to hold, and it went in off the far post.

Jamie Billings, the Hoops captain, fired just over from fifteen yards before his Chislehurst Glebe opposite number, Nathan Mampono, tested Hegarty and the young goalkeeper held on well. Mampono hit another effort that was more challenging and Hegarty made a fine diving save. It came out to Jamie Philpot who finished well but his strike was disallowed for offside.

Philpot was then sent clear by Ryan Kelly and clipped it past the out-rushing Hegarty but could only look on as it drifted beyond the far upright.

Excellent work by the Foxes Yannick Kissi on the left hand side created another sight on goal for Mampono and his rasping drive clattered the bar before Corinthian’s Jack Billings had a flicked header saved well by Edwards down low.

Thibaut Boud Abe had the last effort of the half with a low shot that was beaten away by Hegarty.

After the interval, Caleb Afoke rose like a salmon to meet a Corinthian corner and connected with a powerful header that flew just over. However, it was the Foxes who doubled their lead just shy of the hour mark. Khavarn Williams eased in from the left wing and his shot took a deflection to wrong foot Hegarty and divert it inside the near post.

Hegarty then delayed a clearance and Philpot dispossessed him but the goalkeeper recovered to nick it away at the cost of a corner that came to nothing. 

As the game became more stretched, Oscar Housego blasted a Corinthian free kick into the defensive wall then Alfie Cragg’s long range effort flew just wide. At the other end a diving header by Philpot flew narrowly beyond the far post before Jaden Coleman’s clever flick left his man trailing before he unleashed a shot that was turned over brilliantly by Hegarty.

Deep into stoppage time Jamie Billings pulled one back for the visitors with a firm header, but there was no time for another attack and it proved to be no more than a consolation goal.

Glebe: Edwards; Bento, Davison, Sargent, Kissi; Abie (Belsham 88), Chapman; Mampono, Kelly (Coleman 72), Williams (Morris 90+1); Philpot. Sub not used: Sawyer.

Goal scorers: Bento (16), Williams (59)

Yellow cards: None

Corinthian: Hegarty; Wilson (Carnell-Davis 85), Cheeseman (Cragg 70), Afoke, James Billings, Holland; Adegbehingbe, Jack Billings, King, Housego; Mitcham (Obazee 70). Sub not used: Fryer.

Goalscorer: Jamie Billings (90+7)

Yellow card: Jamie Billings (62)

Referee: Stephen Ryan

Assistant Referees: Bright Amedonu and Andrew Jones

Attendance: 203