Two teams in the bottom four of the Isthmian League South East meet in a local derby when Erith Town host VCD Athletic at the Stanmore Stadium, Bayliss Avenue.

Last week the Dockers announced that interim manager Aaron Jeffrey has been appointed for the rest of the season along with his player/assistant manager Calum McGeehan and first team coach, Jason Long.

They have started to re-structure the team and brought in Danny Nesbitt from Canvey Island, Ritchie Atkins and Hugo Taylor, both on loan from Dartford, George Brooke from Cray Wanderers, Carlos Richards from Bromley, and another loanee, Elliott Wenham from Chatham Town.

Three of them started and another came on as a substitute in their excellent three-two victory at third placed Faversham Town on Saturday, with two of them scoring debut goals. Former Erith favourite James Dyer put the hosts ahead just before half time but Albie O’Mara-Knapp levelled shortly after the restart.

Richards then put the Dockers ahead but Kieron Campbell restored parity with ten minutes remaining. However, Jeffrey’s team was not to be denied when substitute Brooke scored a late winner.

It wasn’t such a good afternoon for the Vickers who went down four-nil at league leaders Three Bridges. The scores were level at half time but Charlie Bennett put the hosts ahead two minutes into the second period. A brace from Reece Hallard, either side of a goal by Noel Leighton, ensured a comfortable win for Three Bridges.

It has been a tough spell for VCD having claimed just one point from six games since defeating Hassocks five-two and they are now third from bottom, three points away from safety, but with a game in hand.

Standing between them and fifth from bottom Hassocks are Erith who are two points ahead of the Vickers, and have played two games fewer. Therefore, the match between the two rivals could have huge implications in the battle to beat the drop. 

Pictures supplied by Sophie Sullivan.