Sunday afternoon football returns to the Acclaim Handling Community Stadium when Erith and Belvedere host FC Elmstead in the Kent Senior Trophy.

Currently in eighth place, in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, the Deres are just two points adrift of the play-offs, although there is a disparity in the number of games played in a tight battle for the play-offs with anyone in the top fourteen having a hope.

Goals scored hasn’t been a problem for the Deres as they have scored at least two in their last six league and cup matches. However, there have been issues at the other end as only two of them ended in victory, two were draws, and twice they were defeated. The most recent was a victory, though, when they defeated Hollands and Blair two-nil, with goals by Danny Lear and Connor French in the first seven minutes of the second period.

In Division One, FC Elmstead are sitting in fifth place, which is the final play-off place. Their most recent outing was two weeks ago when they were beaten by a goal in each half at home to Wimbledon Casuals in the London Senior Trophy.

They have only played one league game since the turn of the year, which they won three-nil at Bridon Ropes. There was no scoring in the first half but Fraser Page scored in the first minute after the restart. Jordan-James Tingley added a second seven minutes later and Owen Raymen rounded it off with a third in the closing stages.

Both teams had byes in the preliminary round of the Kent Senior Trophy and entered the competition in the first round. The Deres played their game first and beat Welling Town two-one with Lear and Rob Strachan on the score-sheet. Elmstead started six days later and thumped Lordswood four-one. Joshua Fill, Thomas Goodayle, Issac Hadlow, and Page were on target.

In round two, both teams were away. Elmstead stunned Rochester with a two-nil win through goals by Jamie Fearn and Fill. Meanwhile, Erith won three-one at Lewisham Borough with their goals scored by Ladic Melconian, Tom Borders and Matthias Broomes. 

Despite the two teams being in different leagues, they are both enjoying decent seasons and will be hoping to progress to the last four.