Tunbridge Wells 2-2 Holmesdale

Attendance 72

Scorers:

Tunbridge Wells: Starkey (31) Fuller (Pen 63)

Holmesdale: Dadson (36) O’Rourke (54)

Holmesdale travelled away to play against one of the longest standing and respected Kent League football clubs Tunbridge Wells. Talk at that club would have been all about a certain well know ex professional set to take over and perhaps not much was know about the rookie visitors. The Dalers set about the first half trying to get to grips with opponents playing a 3-4-3 formation, somewhat unusual at this level. The game was wide open and in truth, whilst The Dalers looked threatening on the break at times, it was the home side that created more half chances. The visitors conceded possession far to cheaply and an already injury hit squad suffered an early set back after Charlie Hope was carried off on a stretcher after just 16mins.

The home side continued to press and just failed to quite find a cutting edge in the last third. After having more possession the first goal came about after some good work down the right hand side. Not the first time in the half the front three had tried to get in behind and after a over lapping run Starkey’s deflected cross looped up over Mitchell’s head (GK) hit the far post and went over the line 1-0. 31 mins. The goal whilst fortunate came after consistent pressure from The Reds.

The visitors needed to re shuffle the pack again after Steadman’s substitution on 33mins. The promise of a counter attack soon paid off as The Dalers hit back and how. The visitors still trying to play their way through the opposition equalised with what quite simply was one of the finest goals you could wish to see. In the 36^th minute Dadson broke forward looking to take on the defence.

After cutting in off the right hand side the ball sat up nicely and the no. 9 did not hesitate. He struck a tremendous right foot shot from almost 30 yards. All spectators were to applaud as the few visiting fans would have been hearing ‘The Lighting Seeds’ in the background. Never mind goal of the month from the angle it went into the top corner like a rocket. If The Dalers score a better goal all season it would be some achievement after that equalizer. The half time score was about right but the home side would have wanted more to show for their attacking intent.

The second half was more of the same and any neutrals would have enjoyed the end-to-end spectacle. Holmesdale were not fazed by the experience of their opponents who were playing with a little more confidence by this time. They won several corners during the game and in the second half in particular the delivery in to the box from Tunbridge was of the highest quality. Again the away side look to counter and the pace and work rate of the front two was to help the visitors get a foothold on all three points. After another quick break O’Rourke not only got forward well he broke beyond the front two from midfield to score. On 55 mins he always looked favourite after a one-two move again the ball sat up, this time in the box and it was 2-1.

Tunbridge must have been wondering how they had lost a lead and been caught out by some good finishing. They certainly did not take the situation lying down and at one point through almost everything at The Dalers’ goal. They pushed down the right managed to switch the ball to the opposite flank and managed to win a penalty. A bursting run forced S. Brown to try and close his opponent the ref clearly thought there was contact on a trailing leg as Brown failed to get a clear challenge on the ball.

Joe Fuller took the responsibility and kept his cool to slot home the pen on 63mins.

The home side were not finished there as they pushed on for a winner. Two excellent blocks and the post saved the lead changing hands again. The feet of Mitchell in the dying moments ensured a point for Holmesdale, as at point blank he reacted quickly at the feet of Fuller.

Both sides would have wondered where it could have been lost or won but something to show for their respective contributions was just about right. 2-2

Holmesdale:

Mitchell, Tolfrey (c), Nicoli, Bushell, Steadman (Brown), Hope (Irvine), White, Dadson, Hill (Baker) Stocks, O’Rourke :Unused Beckett, Prime.