Kentish Football 
We've got to bring the players back down to earth, says Dockers assistant Tony Russell
Monday 13th September 2010
THE ERITH derby sees two sides go into the Park View Road clash on a high, following two giant-killing acts in the FA Cup at the weekend, writes Stephen McCartney.
Hosts Erith & Belvedere dumped Ryman League Division One South strugglers Corinthian-Casuals out of the FA Cup, whilst Erith Town saw off a Slough Town side that arrived at Erith Sports Stadium sitting in second place in the Zamaretto League Division One Central.
Dockers assistant manager Tony Russell, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk expects the Safety Net Associates Kent League clash to be evenly matched.
“To be fair, if you look at the two teams, I think we’re pretty similar where we are as a club,” he said.
“Both teams have brought in a few players this year and trying to build, so maybe not this year, maybe next year.
“But we’ve both come off a good Cup result and they’ve had a couple of good results so that tells me their pretty similar to us. I think they’ve got a good side - but we’ve got a good side.”
After Rikki Cable’s third goal of the season was enough to knock Slough Town out of the FA Cup, Russell wants Erith Town to claim maximum points as well as local bragging rights.
“We have to make sure it’s not the Lord Mayors Show for us, turning up and trying to dine off Saturday’s result,” he said.
“This is the bread and butter. Teams pull of shocks with one-off, good results and good teams win the league.
“If you want to be classed as a good team you’ve got to win these sort of games. It’s going to be a really tough game - we know what a good side they are.
“One thing we’ve got, the Cup run has brought us together. There’s a real buzz in the dressing room.
“We’ve got the game Tuesday, which is going to be really hard. We know that their a good side and we’ve also got the FA Vase game on Saturday, which again is a massive game for the club.”
The Dockers welcome Kent giants Dover Athletic in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on 28 September, but play two games before welcoming Martin Hayes’ quality side to Erith Sports Stadium.
“Me and Steve (O’Boyle) have got to try and bring the players back down to earth,” said Russell. “We’ve already spoken on the phone today, at the end of the day winning one game doesn’t mean you’re a good player or a good side. We’re striving to be a good side and that’s what me and Steve are saying to the boys tomorrow.”
Erith & Belvedere manager Micky Collins has overseen his side dump two higher league sides out of the FA Cup - Gosport Borough and Corinthian-Casuals, but business returns to normal tomorrow.
“As I said to the lads Saturday, if we could take our Cup form into the league I would certainly be happier, however, it’s early days still for our new squad but it’s coming together slowly,” Collins told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
“We now have to concentrate on a local derby on Tuesday night at home. It will be a very tough game.
“Steve (O’Boyle) got a fantastic result on Saturday and we know we will have to be at the top of our game to get something out of it.”
The Deres, who host Sussex County League side Saltdean United in the FA Vase next Sunday (4pm), will travel to their Kent League rivals Hythe Town in the next round of the FA Cup.
Exciting times ahead for both clubs, but both will be desperate to claim the local bragging rights on Tuesday night.
www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game
Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk
Visit Erith Town’s website: www.erithtownfc.co.uk
Erith & Belvedere v Erith Town
Safety Net Associates Kent League
Tuesday 14th September 2010
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd