Erith & Belvedere's survival fight overshadows Phoenix Sports' winning run

While results on the pitch dominate most weeks in this division, the most significant news to emerge came off it. Erith & Belvedere chairman Paul Springett issued a statement describing the club as remaining in a perilous financial position, revealing that a High Court writ had to be paid in full just over a month ago to prevent closure. Springett said the club's income is primarily generated through matchdays and functions, without the benefit of owning its own ground, and that it is paying thousands every month to outside operators. He thanked a management team and squad who he said are effectively working for little or nothing, and confirmed the club now runs 17 youth teams as it tries to build a foundation for the future, while appealing for partners, sponsors and potential investors to come forward.

On the field, it was a difficult week for Erith & Belvedere, who lost 5-2 away to Corinthian, with Jamie Billing, Ollie Fryer, Jake Williams and Caleb Afoke on target for the hosts, before travelling to face Walthamstow in the London Senior Cup and losing 6-0.

Phoenix Sports were the division's in-form side this week after Harry Barnes converted a first-half penalty to seal a 1-0 win over Larkfield And New Hythe at the Christopher Russell Stadium, a result that followed a 3-2 win away at Erith & Belvedere in which Phoenix Sports played much of the second half with ten men after Damilola Olusesi's dismissal, Khayrie Harris completing a hat-trick in that game. The win over Larkfield And New Hythe made it three successive league victories for Jake Goodman's side and lifted them to eighth in the table.

Elsewhere, AFC Greenwich Borough won 1-0 away at Snodland Town, where assistant manager Joe Vines spoke after the final whistle, while Bearsted suffered a 5-4 defeat at Fisher before going down 3-0 away to Lordswood in the Challenge Cup. Billy Lewins returned to the Bearsted side for the trip to Fisher. Faversham Strike Force won 3-2 away at Rusthall with Mef Esumobi named player of the match, while Hollands And Blair beat Tunbridge Wells 2-0 and Sutton Athletic made it back-to-back wins with a 2-1 victory over Kennington. Chislehurst Glebe continued a strong September, with four home wins including a 3-2 defeat of Petts Wood And Holmesdale.

For Erith & Belvedere, it leaves the club balancing ambitions for a 17-team youth setup against the immediate fight to keep the lights on, with results on the pitch secondary to survival off it.