Attendence:46

Holmesdale: Maloney 31, Nicoli 49, Hatt 89

The Dalers played Deal Town for the fourth time this season, the sides having faced each other in both the Kent Senior Trophy and The Premier League Cup. Deal, having to make the long trip up to Bromley, are renowned for their competitive spirit and were no doubt quite confident having beaten Holmesdale in the cup. The Dalers are very much in the title race and are unbeaten at Oakley Road in addition to having just won a tricky away tie at Erith Town. This game was expected to be fairly tight and tense with the teams now quite familiar with each other. It certainly began with plenty of action with a chance at both ends, one of which was taken. Within a minute or so both sides had conceded free kicks as players flew into tackles determined to be first to the ball. Deal gave away a free kick just outside their penalty area and Bedford stepped up to have an effort on goal. He curled the ball around the wall but just outside the post as Rogers in goal gambled some what, and it went wide.

From the goal kick a mistake at the back led to Deal having an early sight of goal as full back Duo headed back towards goal despite a shout from Maloney. Striker Robinson pounced and was on to the pursuit quickest. He was in and had just the keeper to beat and he shot and Harwood got a hand to it. The ball headed agonisingly towards goal. It crossed the line just before keeper or defenders could recover.

0-1 5 mins.

With such an early goal on the board Deal settled the quicker and tried to rattle the Dalers at every possible opportunity. This was something the away side clearly thrived on and it took a while for Holmesdale to gain a foot hold in the contest. It began when they started to compete better in the tackles and move the ball, rather than get caught in possession. Nicoli lead the way by winning a challenge and then a header from another long clearance from Deal. He cleared enough bodies as Deal squeezed up and White gained control of the ball and ran at the defence. He had a snap shot just wide of the target. Holmesdale started to look a threat down the right and again Bedford was not afraid to have a go for goal, this was another close effort and as close as the Dalers had come to putting the Dealers under pressure.

As Chick started to find his form running at defenders on the left the visitors were a little nervy as a last ditch tackle by Deal was a shout for a penalty. Certainly what was not in question was referee Graham Ions’ positioning. He was right on the spot to make the decision, even though he did not point to it, just a corner. The challenge was deemed fair and credit to the players as they got on with the game. Nothing came of the set piece but the Holmesdale tails were up, more like the home form we’ve witnessed in the league this season.

Moments later Holmesdale won another corner which was delivered to just beyond the far post. As Rogers was caught in no mans land Maloney arrived to power a header in to the back of the net passed the despairing keeper.

1-1 31 mins.

The goal wasn’t quite coming but did reflect how the home side had clawed their way back into the game. The away side had a response. Deal’s forwards looked a real handful and where looking for the ball in behind trying to make clever runs off the last man. They were to have the ball in the net again, however an offside flag correctly ruled out Robinson’s lob over Harwood. And it wasn’t all direct play either. Town put a few passes together which culminated with skipper Bathgate whipping in a tantalising cross, which Holden should have capitalised on. Shortly afterwards the visitors were defending a free kick which was taken by Maloney. His ball found Mamadou who, might have scored, had his touch been better.

Holmesdale’s front two were however certainly creating openings. Making his home debut Lamine Mamadou came deep, picked up the ball and skilfully turned a couple of opponents. He switched the ball forty yards into the path of Bedford who crossed into White whose effort was saved, the move deserved a goal. The half finished 1-1 however 2-2 or even more could have more accurately summed the match up to that point.

1-1 45 mins.

The second half saw the home side start off passing the ball effectively and they took the lead with a well worked goal. The move started in the middle and then with the ball being moved out to the right. Nicoli linked up with the experienced White. He shielded the ball expertly and so much so that the right back bombed forward confidently. The ball inside to the full back was perfectly timed and it may be some what a collector’s item but certainly worth the wait. Nicoli took the ball round the keeper like a forward, kept his composure to tuck it away from the narrow angle. A quality finish from an unlikely scorer.

2-1 49 mins.

The turn around could not be considered complete due to the opposition. Deal would not have shocked anyone that has seen them this season as they chased every ball and closed every opponent. Even though they were ahead the Dalers introduced Greaves looking for another goal to be sure of the win. The next opening fell to White as he and Chick broke forward down the left. He took control on the edge of the box and headed for the by-line. He cut inside however the shot was blocked. Next was a big reminder of what observers probably knew, that there was enough time for more goals. The visitors will be kicking themselves as they should have at least forced Harwood into action. Holmesdale’s back four tried to play offside unusually and the ball found its way to Danny Smith. He was just outside the area with far more time than he realised and with perhaps one eye looking for a linesman’s flag he chipped the on rushing Harwood, who was beaten. His lob went narrowly over the bar and the player froze for a moment, as the realism hit him. What a chance.

The equaliser came and wasn’t even the most dramatic moment of the latter part of this one. It was a long punt down field and not the first time a direct ball had caused the defence to hesitate. This time it was Maloney that failed to connect with a header, to slow to react or caught in two minds for a moment? Holden saw his chance and Harwood was unsure whether to stick or twist. The striker skilfully got his lob spot on as it bounced before it went into an empty net.

2-2 76 mins.

It was only the clock running down that really changed the game as both sides played to their various strengths. Credit all the players then for such a contest. Holmesdale passed and moved their way forward again. With great technique Bedford beat two opponents with a step over and close control. He burst into the box and elected to shoot from the angle, which he had earned to be fair. It was straight at a grateful Rogers, when a low cross may have left someone with a tap in. As for the visitors they only halted their charges forward as the end of the game approached, but they still closed down the Dalers and did not give players time and space. Surely they would tire?

Greave’s presence alone meant the defence was on its guard. Hatt was introduced for Chick and he delivered a cross which Rogers failed to collect. The fumble fell to the feet of Stares who joined in from midfield. He hit it first time and some how it went the wrong side of the post, when all hearts were in mouths. Deal Town could see the finish line and would have thought they were worth at least a draw and although the crowd was not a big one, two ground hoppers were heading for the exit. One man had other ideas and it's not the first important goal he has scored recently. Even Holmesdale supporters were calling for the ball to just be launched up top when ever yellow and green were in possession.

One last throw of the dice maybe as Deal, as any side would, just cleared their lines as far as possible. Harwood threw out the ball and Holmesdale were still trying to pass it. Naive perhaps but Hatt was calling for it over on the left as Deal had again squeezed up. Semakula looked up and delivered it right into his path. As Hatt took control no one else would have perhaps even tried it. Rogers was not only beaten by his long range shot the midfielders speed of thought was also way to good for defenders struggling to get back into position. He struck it before anyone even sensed there was real danger from his right boot. A thrilling match had an extraordinary winner.

3-2 89 mins.

Three well earned points, a hard fought game and the side are well placed just behind the league leaders. Holmesdale’s amazing season goes from strength to strength and they even have a chance to go top with Hythe Town not in action this coming weekend.

3-2 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (C) (7.0), CHRISTOS NICOLI (8.0), ROLAND DUO (6.5), JOHN MALONEY (7.0), TOM McQUADE (7.0), PAUL SEMAKULA (7.0), RUSSELL BEDFORD (7.5), MATT STARES (7.0), LAMINE MAMADOU (6.5), STEVE WHITE (7.5), BEN CHICK (7.0)

Substitutes: J. DADSON, (6.5), C. CORNEILLE, L. DEAN, C. HATT (8.0), J. GREAVES (6.5)

HJ Sullivan 18/02/2009