Attendence:82

Tunbridge Wells: Tate

Holmesdale played away to The Wells on Tuesday, another side that has had a strong start to the season. Tunbridge, in third place in the league, had a chance to close the gap to the joint leaders who meet in the next fixture on Saturday 8th November.

The sides lined up 4-4-2 and enforced changes meant Holmesdale were missing two first choice midfielders. On the plus side the returning Joel Greaves was making his first start for several weeks.

Tunbridge looked much more effective and were playing the ball in to their front two as early as possible. On an extremely soft pitch the Dalers' struggled not only to find their feet, but to stay on them. Conditions being the same for both sides, Tunbridge coped much better, and just after 15 minutes play had their second sight on goal. Harwood made a good stop from Cable. The Dalers' first real chance fell to White who was two on two along with Greaves and their centre half opponents. He could only force a corner.

The theme was balls over the top and behind into space. Tunbridge's front two, clever with their movement, were almost always in between defenders and then it was a foot race as the passes became more accurate. It was simple but effective as the conditions became muddier under foot. After around twenty minutes The Wells confidence grew and they had a lot of success down their right. Former centre forward Tate was attacking May and he beat him on quite a few occasions. He cut inside and looked odds on to score, though he opted to go to the by-line and crossed low. Some how the cross beat all the bodies in the box. Whilst the Dalers' were competing their frustration was increasing as possession was pretty rare for most of the half. The Dalers' did win a free kick and worked a routine but it was not going for them as again they could only force a corner.

In contrast it was a quick free kick from The Wells that led to the opener and the only goal of the game. The speedy Tate was released and this time he struck the ball low pass Harwood before enough defenders had reacted.

1-0 41 mins.

The half was not good to watch and not only for Dale supporters. To be fair the home side were well worth the lead. They had closed down the away side quickly and a lack of width and possession had added to the Dalers' difficulties. Another sign it was to be one of those days with a chance missed by Greaves right on half time. A counter attack by O'Rourke down the left opened The Wells defence. They could not catch him, however Greaves wanted to take the initiative. The players all but got in each others way and then the defence caught up and the chance was gone.

The second half was an even scrappier affair with both teams battling each other and the tricky conditions. The game did not see any real clear opportunities until half an hour was played. From a free kick Thompson delivered and substitute Jon White missed a great chance to level the match. The Wells would have been nervous as they had only converted one chance and late in the game the visitors were some how still in the game. Harwood made another top save from Cable and moments later Tunbridge hit the Dalers' on the break. This time Cable played in his strike partner who blazed over to the disappointment of the home supporters.

All three points were destined for The Wells with little or no comfort for the Dalers'. Perhaps only that not many sides will get much away at the Culverden ground.

1-0 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (7.0), CHRISTOS NICOLI (6.0), DAVID MAY (5.5), LEE MORGAN (6.0), TOM McQUADE (6.5), RAY TOLFREY JNR (C) (6.5), MICHAEL AZZOPARDI (6.0), JASON THOMPSON (6.0), STEVE WHITE (6.5), JOEL GREAVES (6.0), STEVE O'ROURKE (5.5)

Substitutes: J.WHITE (6.0), J.HUGHES (6.0), C.CORNEILLE (6.0) T.PRIME (gk)

HJ Sullivan 05/11/2008