Back To Back Wins

Saturday 27th February 2010

Holmesdale went to Lordswood full of confidence after arguably their best performance under the new Management team against Corinthian. They knew that they would find a stern test waiting for them, as by common consensus Lordswood had improved greatly under their new Manager Jason Lillis.

It turned out to be a tight affair with the home side squandering a penalty early on and one or two other good opportunities to open the scoring. Holmesdale's confidence levels grew as the game went on and after going into the break at 0-0 they came out the stronger side in the 2nd half.

Lordswood's cause was not helped when one of their players was sent of after about 55 minutes and after that Holmesdale looked to be strong favourites to win the game. After 66 minutes Holmesdale took the lead through a scrappy but well deserved goal from Ben Chick following good work from Mike McKenna. This lead should've been added to before Mike McKenna made it 2-0 after 83 minutes with a sublime chip over the Lordswood goalkeeper. The game appeared to be safely in Holmesdale's hands but Lordswood pulled a goal back on 87 minutes after their forward chased down a loose back pass from Ricky Hardie to make it 2-1. This led to a tense final few minutes but Holmesdale held on for a hard fought but deserved win.

This sees The Dalers move up a position in the table and on this form Holmesdale can look forward to a respectable finishing position. Gary Davies was upbeat after the game and will look to build on this against Norton on Tuesday evening.

Dissapointing Day For 3's

Saturday 27th February 2010

The 3rd team were away to Rotherhithe and went down disappointingly 2-1 after having to play most of the game with 10 men after Luke Stevens went off injured. Dave Steers was missing in action in Brighton, preferring to camp it up at the X Factor gig rather than being with his troops. I sincerely hope that he gets his priorities in order for the rest of the season as the Manager usually leads by example. In his case this is obviously not the case.

If this lack of commitment continues then there will be some serious questions asked at the end of the season as to his suitability to continue in the role. When asked for his thoughts he said "I thought Jedward were great" before being reminded that it was a quote relating to the game we were after! Shame on him.

2's Held at Dartford

Wednesday 24th February 2010

Holmesdale's Reserves were held to a 0-0 draw at Dartford.

Three Goals And Three Points

Saturday 20th February 2010

Holmesdale hosted new boys Corinthian FC for the first time with just two points between the teams.

The Daler's were to come out on top in what was an entertaining match with both teams playing good football.

The first goal of the game came from Ben Chick on 22 minutes with Michael McKenna following up with his first home goals with a brace on 26 and 77 minutes.

Match Report

Match Photos

Cray Through in Kent Intermediate Cup

Saturday 13th February 2010

With Holmesdale's First Team not having a game the spotlight fell on the Reserves on Saturday who were away from home at Cray Wanderers in what was Alex Hill's first game as Manager.

This was a tough game on paper and lived up to expectations with Cray running out 1-0 winners with a goal late on which was fit to win any match.

It was a very new look Holmesdale team who took time to gel but after a goalless first half where Cray had the better of the chances Holmesdale came into their own in the second half.

They were so unlucky as they were denied goals on three occasions by the woodwork. You couldn't fault the effort from the players who found playing any kind of football very difficult on what can only be described as a bobbly, heavy pitch!

Alex would have been able to take the positives out of the game and certainly has a steady platform on which to build.

He now has a break from competitive football and will no doubt be looking to gel a team with friendlies planned before his next competitive game in charge.

Stalemate as 3's held to 1-1 draw

Saturday 13th February 2010

The 3's were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Heathfield with the returning Ricky 'Spaino' Spain scoring what was described as a quality goal to put Holmesdale 1-0 up.

Holmesdale held the lead for the majority of the game only to be pegged back right at the death when Heathfield scored their equaliser.

Manager Dave Steers was not a happy man and was heard to mumble that 'heads will roll'. Perhaps he may well want to start with his own after what was apparently an inept performance from the veteran who is in his 40th year as a Holmesdale player!.

New Reserve Team Manager

Wednesday 10th February 2010

Holmesdale FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Alex Hill as their new Reserve Team Manager, following the shock resignation of Johan Oosterling late last week.

"I started playing for Pheonix at the age of 23 where I enjoyed two good seasons before moving to Erith Town at the age of 25.

The following season I transferred to Crockenhill FC where I spent another two good seasons. During this time I also played briefly at Slade Green and Swanley Furness before a knee injury halted my career. After a long lay off I returned to football at Fleetdown Utd and Belvedere FC in the Kent County League and finished my carreer back at Crockenhill at 35.

I spent the following season (and still remain) as a scout for Barnet FC in League Two before my first appointment as manager for Dartford Celtic FC in the Kent Suburban Football League. I was then approached by the management of Bexley Borough to become First Team Manager. After a successful period I now find myself at Holmesdale FC.

The attraction of Kent League football and the chance to work with a hard working committee behind the scenes meant this choice was easy for me.

I hope to bring many attributes to Holmesdale FC that can help the club moving forward. I believe my commitment levels and drive will succeed in the development of the football club which in turn will hopefully bring us long term success." - Alex Hill

Stalemate at Park View Road

Saturday 6th February 2010

Holmesdale could’ve been forgiven for going in to this game with some trepidation but any fears that they had were unfounded. Fielding the returning Joel Hughes and new signing Mike McKenna they matched their hosts over the 90 minutes. This was a competitive, tight affair with chances at a premium. Having said that, the scoring opportunities that did fall to both sides should’ve been put away and on another day they probably would have.

Chris Steadman is proving to be a colossus in centre midfield tackling anything that moves whilst at the back Jamie Williams is marshalling his back line superbly well. Ben Chick is showing in glimpses of what a good player he can be and with Joel Hughes back in the side anything is possible. New signing, Mike McKenna, added some invaluable guile up front and was ably assisted by the tireless running of Jack Highwood.

At present the Holmesdale side are showing all of the battling qualities required to keep them out of the basement positions and on the evidence of this display will prove to be a very hard team to beat.

Manager Gary Davies was obviously pleased with the result against a side sitting in 3rd position and will look to build on this performance in the weeks ahead.

Third Team Summary

Saturday 6th February 2010

Holmesdale raced into a 2 – 0 lead against the league’s bottom side within the opening 15 minutes. Ricky Francis scored with a header from a corner on 5 minutes and then Luke Stevens with a rare right foot strike after a good move from back to front made it 2 shortly after. The expected avalanche never quite materialised even though Francis was on target again to make it 3 – 0 on 35 minutes.

Rotherhithe made it 3 – 1 on the stroke of half time against the run of play but this gave them hope and renewed self belief.

Holmesdale continued to pepper the opposition goal but were unable to add to their scoring tally. It was Rotherhithe who scored the next goal on 70 minutes and this caused the Holmesdale hearts to flutter a little bit but they held firm for the 3-2 win.

Manager Dave Steeres said “We should’ve scored 10 but our finishing was terrible”

Match Preview

Friday 5th February 2010

Tomorrow sees the Dalers take on third placed Erith & Belvedere at Park View Road.

The Deres will be looking to forget Wednesday's disappointing exit in the Premier Division Cup at the Quarter Final stage to league leaders Faversham Town.

In turn the Dalers will be looking to post their first league win since 5th December.

This is likely to be a feisty affair with the Dalers management team needing no introduction to the Park View Road outfit.

Lee Benevente, on loan from Erith & Belvedere, will not feature due to the terms of his loan agreement, however, the Dalers will be unveiling two new significant signings, one a familiar face and the other in his first spell at Oakley Road.