Holmesdale 0-2 Erith Town

Attendance 68

Scorers:

Holmesdale:

Erith Town: George (20) Cassius (87)

Holmesdale (The Dalers) continued their difficult induction into senior football against one of only three remaining undefeated sides in the Kent League Premier division. Erith Town have an excellent defensive record so far this season and judging on this performance it was not hard to see why. The debutants had changed their formation from the past few outings and all but had and unfit eleven watching from the stands. The early exchanges saw one half chance for each side respectively. The Dockers miss over the cross bar from the edge of the box with their first sight on goal. The Dalers opportunity fell to no. 11 Chris Hatt, The ball being switch to him from the opposite flank and he too stuck his shot over the bar.

Both sides were playing football on the deck and trying to find weaknesses in the opponent. After one corner each the defining moment of the first half happened when an innocuous looking goal kick lead to a goal for the visitors.

Trying to play swiftly, and short, a poor goal kick by Mitchell put Hill under pressure to which the Dalers full back only found Dockers right midfielder Adriane Deane just inside their own half. The former Irish under 21 international, who was the pick of the visitors, certainly in the first 45 minutes, took advantage and burst forward towards the bye line. His cross was low and Dale failed to clear. Kevin George pounced and punished the mistake from the six-yard line. 1-0 (20 mins).The home side contributed to the half and were left frustrated as every attack and chance created, when not taken, only seem to emphasize that even the smallest mistakes seem to get exposed.

The second half could have almost been a carbon copy except there were clearly two decisive moments. The Dalers looked like a side that were aware they had contributed to their own situation as they pushed on looking for an equaliser. Every cross appeared to find a defender and almost every bounce seemed to be going the visitors way.

As the time ticked on the Dockers were content to try and contain the home side and not have a great deal of ambition going forward. The fact is the experienced told and they pulled together and had the discipline to hold on to what they had and with a late throw of the dice kill the game completely. Before the second goal the home side thought they had finally caught a break.

The Dalers had greater possession in both halves and as time was running out were even reluctant to shoot as the hope drained. From a dead ball situation a key decision may have cost the home side some valuable points. The Dockers failed to clear the free kick delivered from the left and a snap shot was sliced into their own net passed Wastell (GK). The certain OG was the life line needed to kick start a grand stand finish. (82mins)

The home supporters held their heads as full back Irvine was ruled to be in an offside position. If he was it must on been on the incomprehensible current ‘interfering with play rule’. Active or non active? Although he clearly had no involvement the decision was made and international differences between nations are easier to clear up that that one.

Could one last gasp effort or a final push have given The Dalers something to show from the game, well regrettably not. The ‘cou’de gra’ was delivered by Dockers regular scorer Cassius.

Holmesdale gave the ball away far too cheaply in midfield and he was in with one pass and a clear sight on goal. He struck the ball home in the 87^th minute. Job done for the visitors, much to ponder for the rookies.

Holmesdale:

Mitchell, Tolfrey (c), Joyes, Irvine (West), Hill, O’Rourke, White (Brown), Dadson, Hatt, Stocks (Beckett), McDiarmid, :Unused: Prime.