Attendence:70

Holmesdale: 2 x Lee Morgan, 1 x Joel Greaves

'The Dalers' faced a side very much following in their footsteps, Norton Sports of Faversham. Norton, the current County Premier champions had already surprised a few with their first win in the Bulmer's Cider Kent League premier by beating Beckenham Town 2-1 in their second match. In addition to this result the home supporters were aware that Holmesdale had never beaten Norton in a very short history of just 3 matches between the clubs. Just twelve months on from The Dalers own County championship title and promotion no one quite knew what type of game it would be. As it turned out it was an absolute rollercoaster. The visitors were handed a half chance just seconds in as following the kick off the defence rolled the ball back to Harwood in goal who miss kicked just 30 yards straight to Norton forward Slatter. Fortunately he was caught cold and fired a shot wide, a chip would have surely put the away side one up.

As it turned out they did not have long to wait. But first in the opening five minutes there were three excellent chances for the Dalers. From a ball on the right had side an excellent cross flashed across the goal and two players failed to connect. Another cross this time from a corner saw another header not taken and from the scramble the ball never dropped to a Daler and was all but cleared off the line. Norton struggled to contain Hughes on the left and he beat the full back to float a cross into the box, it narrowly missed Morgan and Greaves and another goal chance had slipped away. The 'Newboys' then suddenly were ahead. After winning their own dead ball chance Clark swooped, he rose and failure to connect to another cross, this time in their own box, was to cost the league leaders. The Norton defender beat his marker and Harwood and put the away side one up.

0 - 1 6 mins.

The goal was against the run of play and another sucker punch was soon to follow. They say goals change games and frustration and a lack of composure appeared to affect most of the home side as they failed to keep the ball. On fifteen minutes Norton won a corner, as the supporters watched in shock skipper Appleton had a free header in the box and headed home for a two goal lead.

0 - 2 15 mins.

A stunned Oakley Road looked on in disbelief as the visitors reveled in a terrific start. There was a mountain to climb and the remainder of the half saw both teams find it difficult to impose themselves on the opposition. The Dalers were clearly inhibited by the situation and Norton were satisfied with a lead to protect.

The second half kicked off with everyone wondering what, this young side that were having a remarkable start to their season, were made of. They were to answer this emphatically and whatever was said in the dressing room they came out a different team. The turn around began with the key third goal. This came from the penalty spot after Morgan was bundled over in the box. He took the responsibility himself and scored with the kick after a much better spell for Holmesdale.

1 - 2 58 mins.

The come back was on however not without a heart in the mouth moment, which the supporters may almost be getting used to. Just one minute after the goal Hardie made a mistake and gave the ball away. From the resulting Norton attack and credit to the full back he made it back to clear off the line as Harwood looked beaten by Norton's striker. It was another one of those moments that was key in a match as the Dalers attacks were to become more and more frequent. An amazing few minutes came next as Norton caved under the pressure and the home side's strikers sealed victory before the Newboys knew where they were. Hughes, Morgan and Greaves combined to spring the Norton off side trap and the big centre forward was in. Greaves cooling slide the ball passed Smith in goal. Norton were claiming offside and appealed for the ref to go to his assistant, who had not flagged.

2 - 2 68 mins.

Just two minutes later another sweeping move opened up a now nervy looking defence. This time Hughes, sub Aaron Smith and Morgan combined. Smith looked like he was in but just over ran the ball. He managed to get something on it and from the scramble on the six yard line Morgan poked the ball home for a brace and the winner. The come back was complete! The team looked assure over the last 15-20 minutes and introduced all three subs who also performed well. The pick of them, Highwood summed up the determination in the second half to get a result. Was this a reflection on the strides the club has been making in recent times? Certainly another 3 points and a truly remarkable turnaround for a side who had hardly contributed in the first half.

3 - 2 Final Score.

Holmesdale

Danny Harwood (6), Christos Nicoli (6), Ricky Hardie (5), Charlie Corneille (7), Tom Macquad (6), Ray Tolfrey (6), Jason Thompson (6), Lee Morgan (7), Joel Hughes (6), Steve Diamond (6), Joel Greaves (6)

Substitutes: Aaron Smith (7), Anthony Morrison (6), Jack Highwood (6)