Attendence:80

Holmesdale: Davidson o.g 12, Semakula 58, Morrison 69, Greaves 77

Holmesdale made the long journey down to the coast, for the third and final time, to face Deal Town. This was the fifth and final meeting and much more than a decider, over the five occasions, during 08/09 the sides have played in cup and league games. With two wins each there was not much to choose between the sides, with all of the games being close, this was expected to be another challenge for the side currently second in the table. With just six fixtures left it was seen as a must win for the visitors. As for Deal their seasons ambitions had been halted in the closest and cruellest manner, by a semi final penalty shoot out. The team line ups were both 4-4-2 and Steadman lined up with Semakula in midfield and despite the forced change the team started well. In fact just a couple of minutes in the Dalers won a free kick and had a chance to put Deal under some early pressure.

After the initial delivery was cleared Steadman put the ball back in for White who timed his run to perfection. He did not realise how much time he had, perhaps expecting a flag and hit a tame effort straight at Rogers in goal. Such a clear and early chance would have put any visiting side at ease had it been taken but Holmesdale were not fazed and pushed forward at every possible opportunity. The opening goal came from a box to box move and was a deflating blow for the home side. Deal Town are an uncomplicated, hard working and honest side and always play for each other. They had an attack which ended with an over hit pass that Harwood calmly claimed in the visitors goal. He threw out the ball swiftly starting another push up the field and Morrison within seconds was attacking the right back. He made enough space and fizzed in a cross which was met on the volley by Deal. In a genuine attempt to clear Josh Davidson managed only to slam the ball passed his own keeper for about as spectacular an own goal as you would ever get.

0-1 12 mins.

As the away side celebrated for a moment as they went back for the restart, Deal heads were down for perhaps the first time in all the games. The visitors were soon on the attack again and Morrison won a corner. AJ (Morrison) and Westerman played a short one whilst the home side switched off for a second. The cross was floated to the back post and just beyond everyone, it would have made a certain goal had someone just read it as no one guarded the Deal back post.

In the remainder of the half the changeable and blustery weather conditions did not deter the players as Deal tried to hit back. In their attempts to get forward they were slightly let down by the final ball or met the determined Maloney and the impressive Steadman, who started to boss midfield. Even when the home side persisted in trying to get forward they looked exposed to counter attacks. Steadman was not only winning tackles but he found Semakula who played the ball into White. He released Morrison and the visitors were on the attack again. AJ left and Westerman right had peppered the box with crosses throughout the half and Holmesdale were disappointed they only had the one goal lead. Deal had been forced to defend and were frustrated but were still in the match come the break.

0-1 45 mins.

In the second half the search began for that all important second goal and the Dalers managed that and so much more. First they had to earn the right to play as Deal resumed with the competitive spirit they are known for. Perhaps they were not deflated as they challenged every ball and appealed in unison. On this afternoon it was not to be enough though as the quality of Holmesdale’s goals and the timing of them would have finished off almost any side at this level. High praise indeed, however the side were well worth it. In three out of the last four away games the Dalers had won them all 0-1: away at Sevenoaks, Faversham and Erith Town, the one goal being enough. The Charles Ground was to see some cracking goals kill of their side as the visitors took control of the second half.

The former FA Vase winners goal was certainly the busier as Steadman found Greaves and Rogers saved his shot. And then from another corner Maloney’s point blank effort was tipped away by the keeper. A goal was coming and they were not simple when they arrived. First another move started from Harwood’s excellent early distribution which began the push forward. The ball was moved inside from the right and then back out to Westerman. He was already in the final third and he crossed low looking for White on the edge of the box. White stepped over the ball throwing the defenders with a great over. Semakula had arrived behind him, he turned on to his left foot and buried the ball into the bottom corner.

0-2 58 mins.

Following this wonderful goal the next key moment came when Deal had won a free kick about thirty yards out. They were going for goal but only managed to hit the wall and were not to see another clear opening before the game was out of sight.

With not quite such a flowing move the visitors were three ahead after one of the strikes of the season. The move again saw Westerman released down the right with AJ and others trying to get forward in support. Westerman looked up and switched the ball almost perfectly into the path of AJ, from right to left. As the winger arrived there was a split second anticipation that he might even shoot from the pass. Instead he flicked the ball back over the recovering full backs head with his left and hit the ball on the volley first time with his right, from just outside the area, straight into the top corner. A spectacular finish Gascoigne himself would have been thrilled with. Credit the home supporters, who reluctantly, but respectfully applauded the goal as well.

0-3 69 mins.

The tie had been all but won with two superb goals and yet there was more action in front of goal. Hatt and Chick were introduced to replace Morrison and Westerman who had been excellent down the flanks. After winning a corner on the right hand side McQuade challenged at the near post and some how Paul Rogers tipped the ball onto the crossbar and then it was cleared. Late on the big centre forward got onto the score sheet for his nineteenth goal of the campaign. This was well earned after he had been battered and bruised but stood up to all the shoves and kicks Deal’s defenders had offered in his direction. Greaves was on the end of a move involving Chick, Semakula and White. Although Greaves was tightly marked again he turned got the ball out his feet and this time beat Rogers as the keeper tried to close him down.

0-4 77 mins.

Holmesdale deserved a victory that did not flatter them and just as big a compliment is that Deal Town do not lose games to such margins. The Dalers were heading home, after their best away performance, not only with all 3 points but with a lot of confidence to take into their next challenging game in an incredible finish to an extraordinary season.

0-4 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (C) (8.0), CHRISTOS NICOLI (8.0), ROLAND DUO (8.0), JOHN MALONEY (8.0), TOM McQUADE (8.0), CHRIS STEADMAN (8.5*), DANIEL WESTERMAN (8.0), PAUL SEMAKULA (8.0), JOEL GREAVES (8.0), STEVE WHITE (8.0), AJ MORRISON (8.0)

Substitutes: R.BEDFORD (7.0), B.CHICK (7.0), C.HATT (7.0), SOUTCHAY- JOSHUA RATTANONG

HJ Sullivan 30/03/2009