Attendence:84

Holmesdale: Hatt 61, Greaves 80

Holmesdale finally got their long awaited first meeting with another of the Kent Leagues success stories of 08/09, Faversham Town. The quarter final first leg represented the beginning of the post Beckingham/Thurgood era with a tough away leg at pretty much the best supported side in the league. With both still in with a shout for the title and looking for a semi final place these four encounters could go a long way to defining how their respective seasons may pan out. Faversham were certainly on top for the first half and took the game to Holmesdale. With an excellent home record and looking confident they dominated and started really well. It could however have been very different as the visitors forced a corner after just a few minutes. The ball fell to Hatt on the edge of the box and a sweetly struck effort came back off the cross bar. The visitors in truth then never got into their passing game and began to be preoccupied with the numerous attacks from The Lilywhites.

The home side took the lead on 20 minutes with the defence failing to clear. Hickman bravely prodded the ball home as defenders lunged in vain and Harwood rushed out of his goal.

1-0 20 mins.

It did not take long for The Lilywhites to double their lead and again the visitors missed an opportunity to clear their lines. The pressure perhaps forced mistakes and Harwood gave the ball away with a poor kick and this was punished. Both penalty areas were treacherously soft and the keeper’s clearance was returned and placed perfectly in the top corner by Botterill.

2-0 27 mins

Looking comfortable Faversham sat back a little and this give the Dalers a chance to move the ball. Hatt was the brightest of the attacking treats and he switched the play to Milton who forced the first real save from Readings. The keeper spilt the shot although the visitors were still a little off the pace and failed to follow up. Perhaps with several changes in the side, the pressure from Faversham and the two goal deficit Holmesdale never quite got going in the first half. On the few late occasions the Dalers tried to force the Lilywhites to defend they didn’t manage to click, or beat the linesman’s flag which was consistently and some times contentiously raised.

In the second half the visitors needed to start asking questions of Town but again the home side were the brighter. The next goal would no doubt make a difference to the game and possibly the tie and what looked a killer blow came from Faversham. For the few travelling supporters and neutrals it was a shock as a controversial penalty was awarded. The Lilywhites hardly needed help but some was offered up as they counter attacked with Hetterley down the right. He looked offside but no flag was raised and as full back Duo managed to catch up with him he won the ball and there was certainly no appeal with what appeared a legitimate challenge. Strange that the ref awarded a penalty in such a situation. His assistant, who was closer, did not flag for a foul. The experienced and normally calm Harwood talked himself into the ref’s book as other players wondered what had happened. Duo was not cautioned even though he was technically the last man.

Faversham Skipper Shearer stepped up and just beat a frustrated Harwood. He got something on the ball but could not keep it out. With this goal the game seemed effectively over and the visitors were in danger of losing the tie in the first leg.

3-0 53 mins.

There was no question Faversham were worth a comfortable lead but the manner of the third goal finally sparked something from the visitors. The management had changed the formation and introduced Thompson, first half and Stares second half. The Lilywhites some what content with the score allowed Holmesdale possession and were out played for a significant spell second half. The midfield were growing in confidence and looked to release Greaves to exploit his pace against Town’s defence. As he broke forward from a long ball Readings acted as a sweeper and came out to clear. He only found Hatt who, even though he was thirty plus yards out, simply took a touch and chipped the ball into the goal over keeper and defender trying to get back. A quality finish.

3-1 61 mins.

It was not quite game on but the Dalers were now playing their football. Faversham were still content with what they had, although they did not have control of the play, just the score. This simply gave the visitors encouragement and pushing forward they were determined to see if the Lilywhites could defend as well as they attacked. Credit to the Holmesdale players they kept plugging away and scored a good and crucial second goal. Again passing through midfield Milton’s clever flick released Greaves and the striker powered through, rounded the keeper and finished.

3-2 80 mins.

It was a nervy last ten minutes for the home side who were conscious of throwing away a comfortable lead. Holmesdale even had a couple of half chances that fell to Thompson and late sub Chick who could have made it a great come back. The full time whistle leaves this one finely balanced and all to play for at Oakley Road in the second leg on Sat 31st.

3-2 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (6.5), RUSSELL BEDFORD (7.0), ROLAND DUO (6.5), CHRISTOS NICOLI (7.0), RAY TOLFREY JNR (C) (7.0), IAN BATTEN (6.5), DAVID MILTON (7.0), PAUL SEMAKULA (7.0), JOEL GREAVES (7.5), CEDRIC MUKENDI (4.5), CHRIS HATT (8.0)

Substitutes: J. THOMPSON (7.0), M.STARES (7.0), B.CHICK (6.5), R. MITCHELL (gk)

HJ Sullivan 28/01/2009