Friday night football took place at the Acclaim Handling Stadium when Erith and Belvedere entertained Sutton Athletic in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.
Both teams harbour ambitions of making it to the play-offs so it was no surprise that it was a tight encounter, and that it ended with the spoils shared.
An early chance fell for the hosts when their high pressing created an error at the back. Freddie Baker feasted on it but clipped his first time effort with the outside of his boot past the post. Tommy Whitnell then had a header saved comfortably by Jake Glassborrow from Matthias Broomes’ cross.
It was then Danny Alexander’s turn to make an easy save from Sutton’s Oliver Farmer before the visitors went ahead. Conor Evans delivered a free kick from the left and a misdirected defensive header was turned home by the backside of Tod Bamber.
James Dyer weaved his way through and drew a comfortable save out of Alexander then Evans fired over after collecting a poor defensive clearance.
Midway through the first half the Deres levelled from a cleverly worked corner. Ronnie McClean laid it back to Scott Jarvis and his inviting cross was headed home by Whitnell.
Joel Wakefield squeezed a shot out for the Sutts that Alexander saved easily before Farmer cleared off the line from Whitnell. It came back out to the Deres’ veteran striker, but he could only turn it over from close range.
Evans drew a good save out of Alexander, who pushed his shot around the post then the Deres’ goalkeeper did even better, when denying Dyer who had struck his drive sweetly from twenty yards. A more straightforward claim followed from a Ryan Mahal header before Glassborrow surpassed all of Alexander’s efforts when diverting Rob Strachan’s close range shot onto the inside of the post, then smothering it before it crossed the line.
As the first half drew to a close, Wakefield was tripped by Freddie Fletcher in the eighteen-yard box and a penalty was awarded. Ashdon Day sent Alexander the wrong way but could only watch in horror as his spot kick flew away off the upright.
Matthias Broomes fired well wide for the hosts early in the second period then Evans collected a loose headed clearance at the other end and blasted well over. Freddie Baker shot straight at Glassborrow from wide then Dyer scuffed a shot wide for Sutton.
Neither side created as much as they had in the first half until the visitors missed a gilt-edged opportunity with just over ten minutes remaining. The outstanding Omotunmise Akanni drove in a dangerous diagonal cross, but Day could only divert it past the far post from five yards out.
One last chance fell to the visitors in stoppage time when it sat up to Evans ten yards out, however, his scissors volley flew straight into the midriff of Alexander.
Settling on a point each, the players of the two teams will enjoy a rare Saturday afternoon off before returning to match action next weekend.
Erith and Belvedere: Alexander; Jarvis, Fletcher, Strachan, McClean; Cray, Morgan; Broomes (Day 64), Dudley (Brand 83), Baker (Fowler 69); Whitnell (C. French 64). Sub not used: Flook.
Goalscorer: Whitnell (23)
Yellow cards: Morgan (74 foul), Day (90+1 foul)
Sutton Athletic: Glassborrow; Kane, Mahal, Reardon, Akanni; Farmer; Wakefield (Oduguwa 80), Evans, Dyer; Bamber (Muwonge 67), Day (Goodchild 80). Subs not used: Little, White.
Goalscorer: Bamber (14)
Yellow cards: None
Referee: Grant Steele
Assistants: Jack Heath and Alison Wade
Attendance: TBC