Attendence:60

Holmesdale: 2 x Joel Greaves

Just three days after Selsey and Holmesdale met in the F A Vase qualifier they played a scintillating replay at Oakley Road. The light but persistent rain made for a perfect playing surface for two sides who like to pass the ball. The weather and officials had played a significant part in the first game but the return did not disappoint for entertainment. Defences where solid at the weekend however on this Tuesday evening they often looked stretched and on the back foot. Another recurring theme was to be goals against the run of play. The Dalers were the side that looked likely to score first with the pace and directness of the two Joel's up front plus Thompson back in midfield. Another key change was an enforced one with the absence of the experienced and consistent Harwood in goal, but for him there might not have been a replay.

Mitchell, making his first XI debut this season, would have wanted a good start to his game. With his first action he looked assured claiming a ball delivered into the box. Just 9mins in however a very nervy moment as he called for a cross floated in. The ball slipped through his fingers and it looked like the opener for 'the blues'. Credit to the keeper he reacted sharply to recover the mistake with his feet and clear the ball. At the other end Holmesdale had already forced a corner but Selsey managed to defend two attempts on goal and on their next attack they took the lead. They broke forward on the counter and unusually the Dalers defence was really exposed.

Woolf, playing left midfield had plenty of time to deliver a low cross. In an attempt to clear skipper Tolfrey got the last touch to deflect the ball in.

0 - 1 13 mins.

Dale had committed men forward and did so again it was only a few minutes after going behind that the home side had a great chance. The ball was delivered in from a corner and Smith jumped unchallenged at the far post for what seemed a certain goal. Some how he headed across the goal and missed. The midfielder shrugged the disappointment off and continued to influence the game. Then came the best move of the half. Hughes, Smith and Thompson linked up and Hughes was played through by a terrific pass. Hughes was in and he rounded the keeper and was forced wide of the goal. He tried to cut the ball back for Greaves and his strike partner's effort was blocked by a defender. Finally the break through came just before the half hour. Smith burst forward and crossed low for Greaves, with more space the striker tucked the ball away well to level the match.

1 - 1 29 mins.

The attacking did not stop from either side and before the break Hughes was set up by Greaves. Only an excellent block by Selsey was to prevent a lead at half time which the home side must have felt they deserved. The second period was very much the same and you sensed another goal from the Dalers was on. Yet the visitors rallied to come back and have a few spells of possession. The tie swung one way then the other as the blues did not get the next goal. This came from Greaves who was a real handful for the defence. The striker started to linked up well with Morrison who's pace had consistently troubled Hinshelwood at full back. As Greaves powered through he showed his quality by making the finish look easy and the Dalers took the lead.

2 - 1 57 mins.

And so the fluctuating match continued with Selsey needing to get at least one goal. Truth be told neither side looked comfortable sitting back and certainly neither team was sufficiently superior to control the game when ahead. And it was to swing back the other way as Selsey grabbed an equalizer in the 66th minute. Again the normally solid Dale defence seemed to hesitate. As the ball was played across the box the number of absentees was obvious and the chance fell to Brown and he made no mistake.

2 - 2 66 mins.

Even supporters without that far to travel must have feared extra time as it appeared the teams could not be separated. The introduction of O'Rourke and Morgan gave Selsey more to deal with and made a difference because for a few minutes after they had scored the away side looked the more lively. That momentum quickly faded and the final moments so more chances for the Dalers. Morrison had continued to threaten and won a free kick on the left, this was cleared but then Hughes was fouled on the right wing just outside the box. Thompson fired the ball low across the box and Greaves was inches away from winning the match. Morgan was cautioned for handball in the box and in the last few minutes Selsey really had to hang on. Hughes was to have the best two final chances of normal time. The first was all his own work and skill, torn between crossing and shooting he just missed the far post after cutting in from the left. Another strike just over the bar in injury time had everyone on the edge of their seats.

2 - 2 Full Time.

Extra time made it a late one, especially for the neutrals, although the drama must have made it worth while. Four goals already and penalties was becoming a distinct possibility.

Afalayan was on for Greaves and the striker made himself a half chance almost immediately. Phillips saved although had someone been following in they might have scored. It was clear a mistake at this late stage or, supporters were rather hoping, a moment of magic would win it. The winner, some where in between I guess, came with just four minutes to play. The first 15mins was a stale mate and the second was nail biting to say the least. Woolf had made a run and almost anything in the last third now had hearts in mouths. He passed two opponents and was about to over run the ball. Morgan stuck out a leg and invited a foul. The ref blew his whistle, signalled a free kick 25 yards out. This just about where any right footed player would place the ball by choice.

Ridley stood poised over the ball and although it seemed an age before the whistle was blown clearly he only had one thing in mind. He curled the ball around the wall perfectly to beat a despairing Mitchell dive.

2 - 3 116 mins.

As the final minutes flew by there were still a couple of half chances for the Dalers but it was not to be. A wonderful game worthy of all the cup tie cliches and more it just turned out to be a hugely disappointing result. A tuff loss for the team as for all their contribution they have nothing to show for it. The Dalers at the very least deserve a lot of credit given there was so little in it over 240 minutes of football.

 

Holmesdale

Christos Nicoli (6), Ricky Hardie (6), Tom Macquad (6), Ray Tolfrey (6), Jason Thompson (6), Joel Hughes (6), Joel Greaves (8), Ricky Spain (6), Aaron Smith (6), Anthony Morrison (7), Ross Mitchell (5)

Substitutes: Lee Morgan (-), Steve O'Rourke (6), Peter Afalayan (6), Tony Prime (-)

HJ Sullivan 06/09/2008