The fixture, which formed part of the 2019/20 campaign, was due to be played in March this year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was decided, however, to be included as part of the side’s pre-season fixture schedule to ensure a winner is decided.

This will be the final ever fixture at Griffin Park and will remain strictly behind closed doors in line with the current COVID-19 protocol. The club will be streaming the fixture on YouTube for supporters to tune in and watch with the stream beginning just before kick-off.

The winner of the fixture will play Hendon FC in the Final of the competition after they navigated their way past Wingate & Finchley in a 3-1 win after extra-time.

About Erith Town

Formed in 1956 as Woolwich Town, the Dockers attained senior status in 1995-96 upon reaching the London Spartan League Premier Division in 1995-96.

By then the club had already changed their name to Erith Town, reflecting a move to Erith Stadium.

After one year in the Spartan Premier, the Dockers successfully applied to cross the Pyramid to the Kent League.

After struggling in the lower reaches of the League for three seasons, the Dockers celebrated the new Millennium with a then best seventh place in 1999-2000 and reached the London Senior Cup Final, losing 5-1 to Bedfont.

In the following seven seasons Erith only once reached such heights again, finishing seventh in 2003-4.

The appointment of former Fisher Athletic player Mark Tompkins as player-manager midway through 2006-7 saw an upturn in fortunes and the following season he led the team to fifth in the Kent League. He also brought the club their first silverware as a senior club as record appearance maker Alan Hanlon lifted the Kent League Cup after a 1-0 win over much-fancied Hythe Town in the Final at Folkestone.

Tommo’s departure on the eve of 2008-9 lead to the appointment of Steve O’Boyle who took the Dockers back to the Kent League Cup Final for a second season. Despite drawing 1-1 after extra time against Croydon, the Dockers went down 3-1 on penalties.

Tony Russell took over the reins when O’Boyle departed in October 2010 guiding the club to a third successive mid table finish but bringing the Kent Senior Trophy to the club after a 3-1 win over Tunbridge Wells in the Final.

Having achieved a new best of fourth the following season, Russell departed for neighbours VCD Athletic with Erith Town top of the League in November 2012 and after a brief spell with James Collins in charge, Tompkins returned to take the Dockers to new personal best of third spot.

Tommo repeated the feat in 2013-14 before departing and a turbulent 2014-15 saw three managers and a Houdini style escape from relegation under Martin and Joe Ford. Seven points adrift with three games remaining the Father and Son team saw their young side win the final three games to climb off the foot of the table.

Two further seasons of struggle followed before Mark Deveney took over the club in the Summer of 2017, immediately appointing former owner Albert Putnam as President for his work as player, manager and Chairman in over 50 years with the club.

A return to Erith Stadium for 2018-19 saw manager Adam Woodward guide the club to sixth spot, their best finish for five years, with the Dockers in tenth when the 2019-20 season was curtailed due to the coronavirus.

Recent Form

The young Bees come into the match having played just once so far in pre-season with the game coming last Saturday away at Hanwell Town. Neil MacFarlane’s side would fall to a 3-2 loss, but there were some impressive displays from goal scorers Aaron Pressley and Gustav Mogensen as the side looked to build their fitness.

As for Erith, they’ve played six times in pre-season already, with recent outings seeing them pick up a 4-3 win over Johnson & Phillips FC and a 6-2 victory over Phoenix Sports Club.

Match Coverage

As stated above, the match will be streamed on the club’s YouTube channel completely free of charge and will have commentary. Also, there will be full  overage across the club’s social media channels of an historic fixture in the final farewell to Griffin Park. There will be post-match reaction from Brentford B Head Coach Neil MacFarlane as well as members of the squad.