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Attendence:46

Holmesdale: Matt Stares, Joel Hughes

Holmesdale faced Deal Town in the Premier Cup 2nd round 1st leg at Oakley Road. Deal, on a run of solid results themselves, were facing the Dalers for the first of five meetings this season, due to the Senior Trophy draw throwing the teams together. The Dalers have yet to lose a game at home in 90 minutes this season and looked confident in the opening minutes of the game. After forcing a corner both debutant White and then Thompson had shots blocked in the box, which would have given the home side the ideal start. Shortly afterwards the Dalers won a free kick and up stepped Thompson. The midfielder, as good as he has been in delivering the ball from set pieces was facing a good 35 yards to goal. It was a shades of Gascoigne moment as many wondered, "he's not going to have a crack is he?" , he did you know.

A blistering strike and it hit the post. From the following play White was the quickest to react and he cut the ball back from the touch line for Stares to tap in.

1 - 0 10 mins.

The visitors had appealed in vain for offside but the goal stood. Deal did not appear to be disheartened and kept plugging away, with tactics not to dissimilar to Croydon earlier in the week. In the last third it was Holmesdale though that showed more creative and technical ability with a chance or free kick being the outcome to attacks. Whilst Deal more than matched the effort of the Dalers they failed to really force Harwood into action. It was actually Rogers involved in the next major incident. Deal's keeper was adjudged to have handled outside his area whilst kicking out of his hands. From the set piece Stares just missed a chance of a second goal, again from the rebound as Thompson fired at goal. Although it was a new front line up Stares, Corneille and Morgan linked up well showing a promising cutting edge.

This was to be a short game for young midfielder Corneille as the Dalers no. 4 was withdrawn due to injury just before the half hour. Azzopardi was introduced and an eventful half was not to see any more goals. The Dalers had edged it forcing 6 corners and a few free kicks to Deals 3.

The second half saw a similar pattern to the first with Deal being competitive in all areas as this time they were to have a couple of sights on goal. The Dalers had another corner first and an offside decision went against them. Credit to Rogers as the keeper made an excellent save and may not have been aware the flag was up. All the key action came over a few minutes as Deal where punished when they missed a clear sight of goal. The away side had applied a bit of pressure and both benches had made changes. Approaching the half way point of the period Deal's centre forward had a one on one with Harwood. Harwood closed the space and forced his opponent to hesitate.

Within a minute or two the all important second goal was scored. Morgan flicked the ball on and White peeled off well to chase the ball. Heading to the by-line he whipped in a low cross. Hughes had arrived to tap in another swift move.

2 - 0 68 mins.

Even this goal was not quite enough to dampen a seasoned Kent League side as Deal's intensity continued. Hughes, who looked sharp, had a chance as he flashed a shot across the box. Deal forced a free kick late on and had another half chance cleared away and certainly kept the Dalers honest. To sum up whilst the more skilled side won the game there was no discouraging the away side who will no doubt be having a go in the return. It’s just half time in this one really with a lot still to play for , including a place in the 3rd round.

2 - 0 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (7.0), CHRISTOS NICOLI (7.0), DAVID MAY (7.0), CHARLIE CORNEILLE (5.0), TOM McQUADE (6.5), RAY TOLFREY JNR (C) (7.0), MATT STARES (7.5), JASON THOMPSON (7.0), LEE MORGAN (7.0), STEVE WHITE (7.0), ANTHONY J, MORRISON (6.0)

Substitutes: M.AZZOPARDI (6.5), J.HUGHES (7.0), M. AXELL, O.MILES (6.5), ROSS MITCHELL (gk)

HJ Sullivan 26/10/2008