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
