Attendence:75

Holmesdale: Jason Thompson

Holmesdale played against local rivals Croydon in this midweek fixture. The Trams were coming off the back of a good result against Beckenham Town and may have still had the 0-3 defeat inflicted at home in the back of their minds. The Dalers were hoping to continue the high standards that have got them to the top of the league, knowing teams were now expecting a tough game. There was also the small matter that Holmesdale are still undefeated against Croydon since winning promotion to the Kent League. The sides may have had identical formations at the start of the match however the way the sides tried to play was very different. The Trams were closing Holmesdale down and not allowing them time and space to play. This made the first half very scrappy, the home side struggled to keep the ball and when ever the Trams got the ball they played it long by passing their own midfield. The long ball tactics actually unsettled the league leaders for periods and it was Croydon who took the lead in the 17th minute.

Holmesdale had got into a few good positions in the first quarter of an hour or so however the final ball was not quite there. Croydon had been afforded some time and space on the right and Freeman delivered a quality ball into the box. Centre forward White met the cross to score the opener.

0 - 1 17 mins

Holmesdale responded well but not after the away side tried to play a bit. With their tails up briefly after taking the lead, they were only to expose themselves to a footballing side. Still not quite firing on all cylinders the Dalers forced a couple of corners and another dead ball opportunity. Up stepped Thompson, the midfielder who scored an outstanding hat trick against the Trams earlier in the season. The chance to deliver the ball served to warm up the trusty left boot of the Dalers no.8. After failing to clear their lines just after a corner, Croydon did not close down Thompson. Head over the ball his shot was so precise it clipped the post before hitting the back of the net. His fourth goal against the local rivals, they will be glad to see the back of him for a season.

1 - 1 36 mins

Neither side where able to gain a clear site of goal for the remaining few minutes of the first half.

The second period saw the Dalers as the more ambitions side looking for all three points. Still a little was missing in the last third as Croydon defended well to keep the home side at bay. Thompson again involved whipped in another set piece which replacement keeper Roberts dropped. The ref adjudged he was fouled. The trams tried to hit on the break although playing long meant they were never in possession long enough to really threaten. A move that summed up they play was a chance for Morrison on the left. He beat a couple of opponents with pace and skill and tried to shoot from an angle, only to hit the side netting, when a ball into the box may have hurt the Trams more.

Both sides made changes but the score was to remain the same. Left back May, who gave a really solid performance was unlucky when he hit the crossbar. White for Croydon had a half chance late on but the points were destined to be shared. The reaction of the two camps said it all at the end with the Trams celebrating, to be fair an away point is rarely a bad thing. For the home side the disappointment of dropped points? The fact is four points from the two games against tuff Kent league opponents and a joint top spot just shows how far the Dalers have come.

1 - 1 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (6.5), CHRISTOS NICOLI (6.5), DAVID MAY (7.0), CHARLIE CORNEILLE (6.5), TOM McQUADE (6.5), RAY TOLFREY JNR (C) (7.0), MICHAEL AZZOPARDI (5.5), JASON THOMPSON (7.0), LEE MORGAN (7.0), JOEL HUGHES (6.5), ANTHONY J, MORRISON (7.0)

Substitutes: R.SPAIN, S. O’KEEFFE , R. BEDFORD, ROSS MITCHELL (gk)

HJ Sullivan 23/10/2008