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