Attendence:55

Holmesdale: Greaves (77)

Erith Town: Cotterell (89)

The Dalers faced the 2007/08 Premier Division cup winners Erith Town at Oakley Road on a very cold afternoon. Erith, who had finished fifth in the league last campaign, currently have a slightly false league position. They also brought a bit of insider knowledge to this fixture, with gaffa Steve O'Boyle who began as assistant manager at Holmesdale this year. All these factors were the ingredients in another tricky game for the surprise league leaders. The home team were confident of a result especially given the impressive home record the Dalers have so far however the sharpness and quick passing was not quite there early on in the game. Any visitors to Holmesdale’s ground would have witnessed some excellent displays particularly in the first half of matches. Scintillating starts against opponents including, Herne Bay, Hythe and Beckenham have laid the foundations of the success so far this season. Unusually the side appeared a little flat at first and could not utilise their pace and skills to open up the opposition.

Erith Town seemed fairly comfortable and strangely did not have a great deal of ambition. Renown for normally being difficult to beat they sat back and were content to play long into their front two. Looking for a ball in behind for Cassius' pace or perhaps via strike partner Burn's flicks, this appeared to be the only real threat. With both defences able to cope and on top early on the Dalers’ variation and passing started to come together later in the half. Stares in midfield was the catalyst for this as he was getting forward and missed the first real chance. On the end of a good move he headed over the bar when he looked odds on to score. The Dockers felt hard done by a linesman’s flag as Cassius appeared to be in, they had a certain foul and the ref had played an advantage. It was as close to a clear cut chance as the away side had when the late flag was raised and had the striker continued he would have just had Harwood to beat.

The Dalers were now putting some passes together and it opened the Dockers defence and forced Bradshaw into action. The home side won a free kick which was struck well but straight at the keeper. Again the ref was involved in stopping the game and to be fair he blew up for a Dockers free kick as a Greaves effort was fumbled over the line by the keeper. Matt Stares was close to giving Holmesdale the lead as he again was on the end of an exciting move.

It was classic third main running as the midfield and White were involved in the move and Stares arrived in the box and managed to flick the ball over the on rushing keeper only for the ball to hit the angle between post and bar. The half ended all square, a score line the visitors would have been much happier with than all Dalers fans.

0-0 45 mins.

In the second half the home team were on the attack determined to break the deadlock. There was a chance from Thompson's dead ball delivery and skipper Tolfrey headed goalwards and Bradshaw made a smart point blank save. The pressure was growing but the feeling it might be one of those days was also in the air. The ball was again in the net but after the ref had blown for a foul. You would think the Dockers would settle for this however they were even more frustrated with the officials as they won a free kick but wanted the advantage as it would have given them a break with a four against three situation. Morrison went on a run from the left and for a moment had broken free from the doubling up that he had been up against most of the game. With his effort just missing the target perhaps the stale mate was due to be broken from the Dalers persistence.

And so it was late on a crucial goal was scored after more good play although there was a touch of good fortune with the finish. Morrison and Stares again involved and Greaves was determined to get across his man and be first to the ball. He flicked the ball with the outside of his boot and the deflection off his marker took it passed Bradshaw's despairing dive.

1-0 77 mins.

A nervous last ten minutes or so was on the cards as the Dockers threw bodies forward looking for a way back into the match. Both benches had made changes and as the minutes ticked over, very slowly for the home side and no doubt to quickly for the away team, a victory looked favourite for Holmesdale. With Harwood not really having anything to do he was to have no chance with, what turn out to be all but the last kick of the match. Just moments to go the Dalers had the ball in their opponents half and will certainly wish they had kept it there. After a goal kick the final push came from Erith and Holmesdale failed to clear their lines. Hart, another former Daler and who had been Erith's best player on the day, nicked the ball away from the Dalers rear guard. The ball broke just inside the edge of the box and substitute Cotterell ran on to it and sliced his shot towards goal. It curled away for Harwood and clipped the inside of the post and in.

1-1 89 mins.

Snatching such a late goal must have felt almost like a winner for Erith and almost like a defeat for the home team. Two other sides have earned draws at Oakley Road and Holmesdale have managed wins away against the Trams and Green. They will have to wait until February to see if they can repeat those achievements and will certainly have to work hard to keep the closing pack at bay.

1-1 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (6.5), CHRISTOS NICOLI (7.0), ROLAND DUO (6.5), MATT STARES (7.0), TOM McQUADE (6.5), RAY TOLFREY JNR (C) (6.5), STEVE WHITE 7.0, JASON THOMPSON (6.5), JOEL GREAVES (7.5), LEE MORGAN (6.0), ANTHONY J, MORRISON (7.0)

Substitutes: D. MAY (6.0) , S. DIAMOND (6.5) , E. SIMON

HJ Sullivan 23/11/2008