Cray Valley PM 1 Erith & Belvedere 4 (Erith & Belvedere win 5-3 on Aggregate)

The Deres came roaring back to life on a cold Tuesday night in Eltham with a thrilling 4-1 win against Cray Valley PM to book their place in the Macron SCEFL Challenge Cup.

The Deres looked bright from the start with some good free flowing passing moves, the first chance came in the fifth minute when Denzel Gayle was played into the box but his shot was well saved by the Millers keeper. However against the run of play Cray Valley took the lead when a mishap by Rilwan Anibaba gave Byron Walker the chance to fire the ball into an empty net and give the hosts some breathing space in the aggregate score.

However the Deres took the goal as an incentive to keep attacking and take the game to the Millers, this would be rewarded six minutes later from a corner Romario Hart fired the ball into the roof of the net from close range brining the aggregate score back to just one goal and a returned sense of hope that they could get themselves back into the tie.

In the 35th minute they thought they had when a Deres free kick took a deflection before Enoch Akosah headed the ball home only for the goal to be ruled out with an offside flag from Graham Scott, that was the last action of the first half with both teams going in level.

Half Time: Cray Valley 1 Erith & Belvedere 1, Agg 3-2

The second half sparked back into life early on with a flashpoint coming in the 55th minute when a confrontation between Deres captain Zak Henry and Jamie Miller saw players from both teams piled in to the pack of the players, both players were booked for the incident.

Then with just over 20 minutes to go the Deres got their breakthrough when Ashley Robinson was brought down in the box by Taylor McDonagh, the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation and cautioned the Cray Valley player for the challenge, Ashley Robinson stepped up and calmly placed the ball the opposite side of the keeper to even the tie at 3-3 on aggregate.

For the last 20 minutes only one side looked like winning the tie with the Deres pushing forward and testing the Cray Valley defence, Romario Hart came close with a run in the box but his shot went wide, Deres keeper Rilwan Anibaba still had a few saves to make but the Deres were looking in control when the final whistle brought the game into extra time.

Full Time: Cray Valley 1 Erith & Belvedere 2, Agg 3-3

The Deres looked bright in extra time and nearly took an early lead when a Romario Hart cross was fired into the box but managed to evade everyone when it just needed the smallest of touches to turn it home, there was a real sense that the goal was coming. Things got worse for the hosts when they went down to ten men after Joe Matthews who was already on a yellow card impeded Romario Hart.

It took just three minutes following the red card for the Deres to finally get the goal they craved, another fine passing move that was created and marshalled by man of the match Ashley Robinson found Liam Wright who was in space and curled his shot out of the keepers reach to finish in the bottom corner.

Then just over a minute later the tie was safe with a floated cross that took the faintest of touches off the chest of Liam Wright to take the ball away from the keeper and into the net sparking celebrations from the Deres players, subs, coaches and supporters.

Half Time Extra Time: Cray Valley 1 Erith & Belvedere 4, Agg 3-5

The second half of extra time was comfortable but ended on a sour note with Romario Hart receiving his second yellow card for an alleged dive in the Cray Valley penalty area evening the game at ten men a side, however this wouldn't falter the Deres who comfortable saw the game out and booked their place in the league cup final.

Full Time Extra Time: Cray Valley 1 Erith & Belvedere 4, Agg 3-5

The lads can be so proud of their efforts and on Saturday we stage a dress rehearsal of the league cup final when we take on Hollands & Blair.

Cray Valley: Colquhoun, Osborne (c), Warren, Matthews, Potter, Holder, McDonagh, Miller (Sandiford 75"), Gross, Elliott, Walker
Subs not Used: Jasai, Dobson, Tumkaya, Morgan

Goals: Walker 10"
Cautions: Matthews 18", Miller 54", McDonagh 68"
Red Card: Matthews 100"

Deres: Anibaba, Fray, Babatunde, Hart, Holness, Henry (c) (Reed 90"), Gayle, DaSilva (Springett 105"), Wright, Robinson, Akosah (Fyffe 83")
Subs not Used: Cruz, Fernandes

Goals: Hart 16", Robinson (pen) 69", Wright 103", 105"
Cautions: Hart 43", Henry 54", DaSilva 71", Robinson 84"
Red Card: Hart 113"

Attendance: 68:
Man of the Match: Ashley Robinson (Erith & Belvedere)

Referee: Mr Ross Alexander (Maidstone)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Whitworth (Catford) & Graham Scott (Gillingham)