Attendence:46
Holmesdale: McQuade 46, Greaves 70, 79
Holmesdale played their twenty fourth match of this season’s campaign at Oakley Road against Tunbridge Wells. The visitors were one of only two sides in the league that the Dalers have not taken any points off so far in an incredible season. Tunbridge won 1-0 in November and dominated that match. They also started 08/09 better than any other side but have slipped slowly into the chasing pack since. A win for the home side would keep them in touch with leaders Hythe with a potential shot at the league title and the possibility of a huge show down in the penultimate fixture. A victory for the visitors would almost certainly put them back in the thick of things in a very tight top 6. It would also make them the first Kent winners at Oakley Road and possibly the only side to take all six points from the Dalers over two games.
The home side started ok and won two corners. The first was cleared which created the second. That delivery was flicked on by McQuade and Greaves just missed a half chance. It was clear both sides had real attacking intentions as after failing to score Holmesdale were on the back foot. Tunbridge put together a move which was only halted at the last minute by a linesman’s flag. This game was never going to be dull and on the next push forward the midfield found Greaves and he passed to White who shot wide of the goal. Tunbridge were defending another corner shortly afterwards when they played the classic counter attack card. One ball split the covering defenders and they released Tate playing wide right. He got into his running and delivered a low cross that fizzed across the wet surface. Harwood could not hold on and the defence scrambling back failed to clear and Wells no.9 Colman seized he chance to finish off the move.
0-1 10 mins.
This clearly galvanised the visitors who hardly needed the boost as they started like a team that had belief in what they were doing. The home side were like rabbits in the headlights as they were off the pace for a period and got suitably punished. Within just a few minutes Tunbridge were all over the Dalers goal and when no one took responsibility for the defending it was two. It was another soft goal which was delivered from a dead ball first from the left. This was half cleared and crossed back in from the right and déjà vu a chance missed to clear fell to Coleman. It was in the back of the net and there were shell shocked faces both on and off the pitch.
0-2 13 mins.
The pressure was really on the home side now, not only to remain in the game but also to get the next goal. Tunbridge however could relax a little and play with confidence with such a hold on the match. This was reflected in the play as when anything did not quite come off, as Holmesdale tried to find their way back in the game, the team looked a little anxious and frustrated. In a few brief moments in possession Greaves almost had a glimpse of goal but was crowded out as he tried to shoot. Even rare Wells mistakes were not punished as Bell won the ball back as the visitors dithered, he beat the full back, but the ball in was not met by enough attackers.
On the next opportunity the Dalers kept the ball across the back four for the first time. Maloney found Greaves who helped it on to White and he was forced wide away from goal. With not enough bodies forward again the attack broke down and the home side still unusually looked short of ideas. This was unquestionably the Wells half as they were to burst forward and score again. The attack began on the left and as the midfield kept the ball and full back Barton joined in and was the third man running. Strangely he was overlapping but not outside, he latched onto a pass inside and crucially in between full back and centre half. On the edge of the box he hit a shot into the ground and in a freak moment it hit a divot and went over a despairing Harwood and in.
0-3 37 mins.
A dreadful half for the home side and the first time the team has conceded 3 goals against a Kent side in the league this season. Tunbridge certainly were worth a comfortable lead and the break for them with the third goal gave the Dalers a mountain to climb. This could have been slightly softened just before the break when White was played through and had a one on one with Wells keeper Czanner. The chance was spurned and there looked no way back for Holmesdale.
0-3 45 mins.
With it all to do Holmesdale kicked off the second half needing to at the very least restore some pride, which was seriously absent in the first forty five minutes. Immediately they were on the attack and won a corner on the left. This was played in to the box and as if that end had a hold on all the key events it saw another goal. The ball was kept in and back out to Chick who fired across the six yard box. Centre Half McQuade had stayed up and gambled and had a tap in unmarked at the back post.
1-3 46 mins.
Just the sort of response that was required but was it to little to late as Tunbridge still had a cushion and a stark reminder there was still plenty of time left in the game. What ever was said in the dressing room it had made a difference in attitude to the Dalers as they looked so much sharper and moments later almost played White in on goal. More pressure down the left led to another corner and Tunbridge just showed a few signs of a team not comfortable defending. Czanner appeared to already be taking his time with goal kicks as the momentum had quickly changed hands.
Holmesdale’s first real typical passing move, in the whole game, then came down the right. Three or four passes and full back Nicoli was released on an overlapping run. He played in a terrific cross which was just taken away from a side now getting numbers forward. Chick, who had found it hard to get forward as much as anyone first half, was now making skipper Bourne focus on defending. The young winger beat two players, cut inside full back Bourne and shot just wide of the post. This was definitely now a contest, however Wells settled themselves and went back on the offensive. Tate was on the ball as the visitors attacked and he ran at Bedford. He managed to get half a yard but blazed an effort high and wide after looking dangerous.
Holmesdale then gave themselves some hope after playing quality football. Morrison and Youle were introduced and they made an impact in creating a terrific goal. Morrison started on the right and was attacking at every opportunity. He ran at the away side and play the ball inside to fellow sub Youle. He laid a pass out to Bedford who delivered a telling cross. Greaves arrived to tap in at the far post, and keep what looked a dream, alive.
2-3 70 mins.
And the magnet behind the goal drew more and more action. There were some tongue in cheek comments from the Wells regarding the slope? Strange no one mentioned anything when they were three goals to the good and looking strong favourites for all three points. Morrison and Chick were now flying down both flanks and perhaps the fitness was starting to tell. Incredibly the mother of all come backs was complete with another Greaves strike. Crafted by another swift break and quick passing, with Morrison and Chick switching wings, Tunbridge were pulled apart. In a similar way to how they had attacked themselves first half to be fair. The defence was turned, Chick crossed into the Greaves zone and the big striker gladly slammed the ball in from close range.
3-3 79 mins.
The come back was complete a truly astonishing turn round and as exciting a game for any neutrals watching as you could hope for. The Dalers even had a chance to snatch it near the end as a Chick strike was straight at Czanner when either side would have won it. A draw was a fair reflection and result considering the classic game of two halves played out by two forward thinking sides. It felt like a win for the still undefeated at home Dalers. It must have felt like a defeat for the Wells whose contribution should be respected and not forgotten in a wonderful seesaw spectacle.
3-3 90 mins.
Holmesdale
DANNY HARWOOD (C) (6.5), RUSSELL BEDFORD (6.0), CHRISTOS NICOLI (7.0), JOHN MALONEY (7.0), TOM McQUADE (6.5), BEN CHICK (8.0), JASON THOMPSON (7.0), PAUL SEMAKULA (7.0), JOEL GREAVES (7.5), STEVE WHITE (6.0), NATHANIEL BELL (6.0)
Substitutes: M.STARES (6.5), AJ. MORRISON (7.0), T. YOULE (7.0) C. HATT, R.PACEY
HJ Sullivan 12/03/2009
