Erith Town shared the spoils with play-off chasing Jersey Bulls in an entertaining early kick off at the Stanmore Stadium.

The home side came into the today’s game four points clear of Hassocks, who occupy the final place in the relegation zone. Whilst the visitors lay fifth following an impressive run of ten unbeaten in the league, which includes matches against all the main protagonists in the Isthmian South-East play-off positions.

In an even start to the match, Erith had an early penalty shout turned down for a challenge in the box on Elliot Wenham, whilst Jersey from the restart created their first chance when following some good work inside the box, Lorne Bickley shot straight at Harrison Firth in the home goal.

Erith took the lead on 10 minutes following a fast-flowing break that saw Wenham’s great run up the pitch to find Reid-Solanki in the box. He squared the ball for James Dyer to gleefully slot into an empty net.

Bulls forward Rai Dos Santos was a constant threat from their direct passing play, twice shooting high and wide when in good positions. However, approaching the half hour mark, the Dockers squandered a great opportunity to make it two. Albie O’mara-Knapp latched on to a flick on from a long clearance. He found himself one on one with the visitor’s keeper, only for his powerful shot to cannon off the bar.

This stung Jersey into action, and they equalised on 32 minutes. Following a great save to his left from Firth to deny another rasping shot from the dangerous Dos Santos, the resulting corner was met by Jamie Watling, and his bullet header powered into the top corner.

The visitors were now in control of the tie, with both Dos Santos and Joe Kilshaw going close, and a couple of further efforts blocked via some desperate defending. But Erith restored their lead 2 minutes from the break when a long throw into the box found O’mara-Knapp, who made up for his earlier miss by smashing the ball into the net off the underside of the bar.

The Bulls opened the 2nd period with two more quick half chances created from the livewire Dos Santos. Despite this, the Dockers were soon back on the front foot themselves. From an Andrew Dythe cross into the box, the visitor’s keeper spilled the ball into the path of Reid-Solanki who unfortunately blasted over with only an unguarded net to aim for.

Jersey made him pay for that miss soon after when on 55 minutes, after a good run into the box from Luke Campbell, his pass found Bickley who clinically shot into the back of the net for the equaliser.

With Jersey now on top again, Erith introduced Harry Taylor from the bench. Making his first league appearance of the season following a serious injury, last season’s top scorer for the Dockers had an immediate impact.

Firstly, his flick on from a long ball into the box created havoc for the Bulls defence, who scrambled clear for a corner. From the resulting set play, Taylor’s header floated just wide of the post.

Both sides were now going all out for the winner. Jersey deploying four up front at times, whilst Erith looking dangerous on the break, and using the wide areas well. With sub-Ethan Okechukwu always looking a handful for the visitor’s defence. However, despite several half chances being created at both ends, the best of which was a Wenham shot from a late corner floating just wide of the post, the match ended all square.

The point keeps Jersey in the final play-off place, a point above Faversham, but having played a game more. At the other end, Erith extend their gap to the bottom four to 5 points with a game in hand. And if they keep performing like they did today, the Dockers should have every confidence that they have more than enough talent in the squad to keep them safe.

Erith Town – Firth, Turner, Dythe, Wenham, Hobbs, Dyer, Valler, O’mara-Knapp (Taylor), McGeehan (Olusesi), Atkins (Christmas), Reid-Solanki (Okechukwu)

Unused Sub – Milton

Jersey Bulls – Van Der Vliet, Campbell, Ritzema, Kilshaw, Bickley, Dos Santos (Carr), Carvalho (Barlow), Giles, Watling, Watson, Curtis

Unused Sub – Corbett

Referee – Mr Wright

Attendance – 174

Images courtesy of James Barnes