Attendence:138
Holmesdale: Aaron Smith
The Dalers' played their first ever FA Vase game away
to Selsey Town from the Sussex County League. The side
had travelled down to the coast on an extremely wet
and blustery Saturday morning to find the conditions
still very turbulent around kick off.
Both teams had started their respective seasons well
and with a good playing surface the anticipation was
for a good cup tie. The early part of the game was
really spoilt by the weather, the wind was swirling
and neither side had much opportunity to show what
they could do. Holmesdale struggled to get the ball
into the striker's feet and any clearance away from
their half was holding up in the wind. 'The Blues'
themselves also found this tough and it was not until
well into the half before either team started to pass
the ball effectively. As the teams couldn't find a way
through their respective defences the half saw little
goal mouth action with corners for both sides really
being the closes either team could manage in the first
half. The frustration showed with the players as an exchange of words as they walked off the pitch lead to 2 Selsey cautions and Morgan also being booked.
The second half saw calmer conditions at the start and
the time the players had to reflex at half time seem
to make a difference. The passing from both ends was
sharper and Selsey were playing quite well. The Blues
were showing they had the intent to try and play their
way through rather than just ball over the top
tactics. Holmesdale were now showing their cards with
Dadson, Morgan and Hughes seeing more possession. The
game did not quite flow as the officials were a little
to involved appearing to stop the match too often.
Perhaps they failed to take the conditions into
consideration or they just felt it was warranted.
Either way after just a few minutes of the second
half, when the game really came to life, there had
been countless free kicks and five bookings already.
The first break through came from the visitors after
some good approach play from Dadson. The winger took
on the left back and delivered a cross that the blues
keeper failed to deal with. A poor attempt at a punch
clear only landed inside the box. Smith was the first
to react and he struck the ball home for a historic
goal for the dalers.
0 - 1 49 mins.
The lead was held for just 11 minutes although this
doesn't reflex where the game was heading second half.
The fact is that both defences had done a sound job
through out the match especially the dalers defence
which handled everything thrown at it.
The onus was now definitely on the home side to try
and get back in the match, they had looked capable but
had found, skipper Tolfrey and Harwood in particular
stubborn and classy obstacles. After forcing a corner
in the 60th minute the ball was cleared by the dalers'
defence. The team were clearing their lines when
Selsey played the ball back towards the box. As Morgan
came out of the area the ball deflected off him to
Dobbs. The pass appeared to be headed for a goal kick
instead the break favoured the home side. Dobbs took
his chance and calmly placed the ball unto the corner
pass Harwood who'd looked unbeatable before then.
1 - 1 61 mins.
The remainder of the half was very tense with neither
side wanting to make a mistake. The Dalers defence
stood firm and the introduction of Diamond and then
Spain added fresh legs to the cause.
Extra time was end to end stuff and a testament to the
fitness of the team. The midfield continued to battle
as they had throughout the game and Dale were getting
more possession, something the home side had shaded
through ninety minutes. It was no doubt a nervous
watch for both benches and of course supporters who
had braved all the down pours. Again the officials
were to have an impact on the tie, first they sent
Dalers co-manager Tony Beckenham to the stand. With
the bench anguish as to how players were after such a
long game 'Becks' had encroached the touch line to
enquire if Thompson was ok after a challenge, when the
ball was dead. The assistant on the near side asked
him to step back a couple of times and then signalled
the referee. The gaffa was then dismissed and was
refused point blank and explanation when he calmly
asked for one.
The tension was now almost unbearable and Selsey must
have thought they had nicked it when the won a
penalty. Extra time doesn't get any more gripping.
Smith a hero at one end collided with his man just
inside the area and the ref and assistant swiftly both
signalled for a spot kick. Harwood guest right and
made a fantastic save. The Dalers then went on to have
a chance to nick what would have been a famous win.
Hughes played a delightful ball for Greaves who he was
playing up front with in the final stages of the
match. It split the defence and but for a good stop
with his feet by the blues keeper the first round
proper would have been Holmesdales.
The replay is at 7.45pm on Tuesday 9th September. Don't miss it!
Holmesdale
Danny Harwood (8), Christos Nicoli (7), Charlie Corneille (6), Tom Macquad (7), Ray Tolfrey (8), James Dadson (6), Jason Thompson (7), Lee Morgan (7), Joel Hughes (6), Joel Greaves (7), Aaron Smith (7)
Substitutes: Steve Diamond (6), Ricky Spain (6), Anthony Morrison (6), Ross Mitchell (-)
HJ Sullivan 06/09/2008
