Erith & Belvedere 1 Sevenoaks Town 2
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Jack Gibbons and player-coach Robert Quinn scored their first goals for Sevenoaks Town as they came from behind to to record their first ever Kent League win over The Deres at Park View Road in six meetings on Saturday
Marcus Cassius fired the home side in front just before the half-hour with his fifth goal in three games, but Gibbons' delicately struck lob put Town level around the hour mark, and then subs Lee Hales and Micky Mullane combined to set-up Quinn's winner nine minutes from the end.
Quinn had earlier hit the post as Town dominated the second-half, although they survived a couple of anxious moments late on, when goalkeeper Simon Overland saved one effort, and another was blocked.
Former Town defender, last season's Player of the Year, Danny Twin lined up against his old club, who had Charlie Burgess and Gibbons starting their first games of the season, with Leon Farrell also included. Tom Brown missed out with a leg injury, while Andy Hart dropped to the bench from the team beaten at Lingfield last week.
Gibbons headed wide after five minutes, Joe Creasey went close, and then Quinn's effort was deflected for a corner.
Kevin George had Deres first chance but blazed high over the bar, before Danny Tipple fired wide.
Cassius - on a three month loan from Bromley -then broke the deadlock his shot going through two defenders, beating Overland inside his near post. He was inches away from getting a second 60 seconds later, and the the Towen goalkeeper blocked another effort.
Michael Cook's free kick was the first test for the home 'keeper Richard Stroud who pushed it over the bar.
Keith Levett made an early change in the second-half sending on Hales in place of Joe Minter, and Town gradually took control with some neat attractive football, on one of the best pitches they are likely to play on all season.
Their reward came in the shape of an equaliser, Gibbons, setting himself up nicely to clip a measured lob over Stroud and into the net. Quinn then struck the post 10 minutes later, the ball bouncing across the face of the goal to safety.
Deres hardly created a chance in the second-half, but Overland saved well from home sub Sean Rivers, before Town got their second 10 minutes from time.
Hales started the move, playing in Mullane on the left, and his low cross was converted by Quinn.
A first win for new look Town was confirmed a few minutes later, with former assistant manager Joe Little and ex-skipper Danny Ward there to see it.
A first defeat for Deres, who started the season winning at last season's runners-up Herne Bay, earned them several strong words after the game ftrom boss Mioky Collins, as anybody in earshot of the home dressing room would agree.
Creasey and George picked up the only two yellow cards in the game from referee Chris Dodd, who seemed to let a couple of rash challenges go unpunished in the second half.
Another interesting stat from the game was that the Eltham official did not award a free-kick to either side until the 16th minute, a rarity in the usual hurly-burly of the Kent League.
ERITH & BELVEDERE: Richard Stroud, Lee Gledhill, John Wilfort, Danny Twin, Danny Tipple, Daniel Westerman (Jim Lyons 60mins) Steven Wetherly (Sean Rivers 60mins), Adrian Deane (James Malyon 80mins),Kevin George, Marcus Cassius. Subs not used: Paul Butler, Aiden Pursglove.
SEVENOAKS TOWN: Simon Overland, Chris Davis, Charlie Burgess, Toby Webb, Michael Cook, Joe Minter (Lee Hales 53mins), Jack Creasey, Jack Gibbons (Micky Mullane 76mins) Leon Farrell, Cashen Henry (Brandon James (76mins) Sub not used: Andy Hart.
Att: 91.
Referee: Chris Dodd
MATCH STATS - HOME-AWAY SHOTS ON TARGET: 5-6, SHOTS OFF TARGET: 5-4. HIT WOODWORK: 0-1, CORNERS 4-10, OFFSIDES 3-1, FREE KICKS CONCEDED 9-7, YELLOW CARDS 1-1 RED CARDS 0-0.
  
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