Erith & Belvedere’s relegation from the SCEFL Premier Division was confirmed as they lost their final game of the season to Canterbury City in what was at times an ill tempered match at Park View Road.
The Deres got off to the perfect start when after only three minutes they took the lead through Nad Nwitua’s header from a corner and they came close to going two up when Alex Anderson’s strong run into the box was cleared for another corner soon after.
Canterbury settled from there though and they were denied what looked a strong shout for a penalty when Patrick Nzuzi went down in the box.
One of City’s coaching staff was sent to the stand for protesting, but City did pull level on seventeen minutes when Rob Lawrence’s free kick was headed home by Sam Conlon as The Deres defended with ten men with a player off receiving the ball past GK for 2-1.
Lawrence went close again soon after for Canterbury before the game turned sour with scuffles leading up to a full twenty two man brawl just before half time.
Once the dust had settled Zak Henry and Gary Clarke were sent off by referee Nicholls, eventually the eight minutes of added on time saw no further incident.
Erith & Belvedere started the second half well with Seb Schoburgh shooting narrowly wide, but it were able to assert themselves on the game again, quicker to the ball and solid in defence.
City’s Lawrence went close twice and Gary Mickelborough shot just wide after a good run into the box, while the closest The Deres came was when Nwitua hit the bar from a cross shot out wide.
Mickelborough and Conlon had chances for City before they sealed the win on seventy five minutes when Nzuzi set up Connor Partridge who drove the ball past Lahrar from the edge of the box for 3-1.
Late on Mickelborough forced a double save from Lahrar and he also was on hand to deny sub Billy Mason, but in the end Canterbury were too strong for an Erith & Belvedere side who will now face life in step six football next season, finishing bottom of the table.
E&B: Lahrar, Fray, Nwitua, Robinson, Leacock, Salami, Henry, Parsons, Anderson, Schoburgh.
Subs: Brwon, McCann, Morais, Simms, Laing.
City: Hawkes, Webber, Partridge, Clarke, McAllum, Brown, Conlon, Nunn, Lawrence, Mickelborough, Nzuzi.
Subs: Hallett, Mason, Blackmore, Halford, Smith.
Goals: EB – Nwitua 3mins. City: Conlon 16, Nzuzi 18, Partridge 75mins.
Referee: Mr Tom Nicholls
HT 1-2 FT 1-3