Holmesdale: 3 x Peter Afalayan, 1 x Jack Highwood

A new look Holmesdale Reserves team with a new look managment team of Kevin Gimenez and Danny Bushell took to the motorway for their first league game of the season away to Hythe FC.

After an impressive pre season with 5 wins and 1 draw the Dalers looked to take that form into the new season.

The ref blew his whistle at 3.00pm and the moment we had all been building up to was finally upon us, but the 1st half was an anti climax to say the least, with neither team taking control of the game and very little football being played.

After some home truths and some much needed rollockings at half time from the managment team the Dalers took to the second half and looked a lot better starting with a much higher tempo and it was only a matter of time until new signing Peter Afenyalo opened the scoring with a cool finish after rounding the keeper.

Moments later though Hythe equalised when a cross was floated to the back post for an easy header in to the Holmesdale net.

1-1

Holmesdale reacted to the Hythe goal and went on to put loads of pressure on the Hythe goal and then the moment came with Peter Afenyalo scoring his 2nd of the game to put the Dalers 2-1 up.

2-1

Hythe were not going to give up easily and came close with a few efforts which were brilliantly saved by Holmesdale keeper Ross Mitchell who was on top form and that form rubbed off on the whole team as another new signing Jack Highwood was put through one on one who lobbed the keeper with a fine finish to put the Dalers 3-1 up seconds after coming off the bench.

3-1

The game was coming to a close and Peter Afenyalo made sure that 3 points would be coming back with the boys to Oakley Road with his 3rd of the game with another cool finish after some great solo skill and power.

4-1

All in all it was a great result with a not to great performance. Is that the sign of champions ????? Time will tell!!

Holmesdale

Ross Mitchell, Steve O'Rouke, Casey Jones, Lee Roots, Martin Perks, Ben Chick, Jamie Baker, John White, Chris Steadman, Ricky Spain, Peter Afalayan.

Substitutes: Jack Highwood, Graham Bignall, Ollie Miles