Saturday 9th February 2008 v Slade Green

Good afternoon, a warm welcome to Slade Green players, officials & supporters.

As we enter into the final third of our inaugural season we still have all to play for, from a club perspective we are now looking to get our Ducks & Drakes in order in readiness for next season (on & off the pitch).

All members of the club are under the spotlight – from the Chairman – right the way through the club.

Most players & supporters will not know how much work that goes on off the pitch. Both Tony & I would like to go on record to say the committee have been working tirelessly to ensure we have the platform to really give the club a league position it deserves. As the saying goes the only place you will see success before work is in the dictionary!

On to today’s match we have visited the Small Glen twice this season, on both occasions we were fortunate to secure victories, game one back in August being the clubs first away win & victory at senior level. Our second visit was a league cup fixture; this on refection has to rank as one of our top three performances. We played well coming back from conceding an early goal to win four –one, a fine team performance.

Today’s game will be very different & we are expecting a much tighter affair as both side seek to move up the table, our visitors enjoyed a good away win last week, with both debutants catching the eye.

As the Dalers had no league fixture last Saturday a morning friendly game took place against a Beckenham Town side that were as eager to play, as we were they also without a fixture last Saturday.

Before the game Tony & I had agreed to look at one or two scenarios with a view, as they say. With five players unavailable we went with eleven players & as the saying goes had a ball. Players playing with smiles on there faces, Holmesdale went two up after thirty minutes and bearing in mind we have only taken one point off Beck Town in four attempts it was our opponents who were struggling to find there fluid football that we know they can play.

On thirty-five minutes reality came and found us again a smart finish Mr Healy reducing the deficit.

Again the Dalers just kept on playing very good football; right on the stroke of half time a six man move was halted by the Beck Town full back whose challenge can only be described as desperate. The resulting penalty being despatched with aplomb.

The second half saw some bright football played by both sides, the forwards of both teams trying to add to the score line to no avail.

Upon reflection a worthwhile exercise with many very good performances. The Management team from Beck Town again complementary about the way we played. This left just enough time to get back to Oakley Rd for the reserves cup tie & watch them win through convincingly four nil a place in the quater final now awaits them. Well-done Matt, Terry & the lads. Also good luck today at Margate

Saturday 26th January 2008 v Sporting Bengal

Good afternoon, a warm welcome to Sporting Bengal players, officials & supporters.

Our visit to the Mile End Stadium in late November resulted in a two all draw. On both occasions we took the lead only to be pegged back by a resolute Tigers outfit that try until the very end. My recollection of that day is that we only played in patches, we should have won but for some poor finishing something that we have been consciously working on for the past six weeks. The one lasting memory from that bitterly cold Saturday was to see the Tigers cameraman being thawed out long after the final whistle had gone. Also big thanks to the supporters who made the trip only to get stuck fast on the journey home.

On reflection our last two games have seen the Dale try very hard without the rewards that go with the effort displayed. Both Tony & I found the drive back from Faversham a lonely one as everyone went about their way home. But it has certainly galvanised us as managers to do everything within our power to prove to all concern that as a club we are heading in the right direction. To be able to choose the same squad two weeks in succession has proved to be a near impossibility. But whatever the Kent League may conjure up for us, the one thing you can be sure of is that the sides that are named from here on in until the end of April will still be wanting to have a right good go until that final whistle blows.

Transition this word can cover a multitude of things, - we are in our Inaugural Season great let’s make it one to remember! A third of the season still to play, never say never.

To be completely honest our training attendances are fantastic, with real hard work & healthy banter, can anyone tell me that the thirty-four players at training last Tuesday (Monsoon) didn’t work hard or enjoy the session.

We are creating chances and only some fine goalkeeping has stopped us in our tracks. The last two league games we have played the opposition goalkeeper have been named as the m o m. 

As we have found out to our cost you can draw with the top side & the very next week draw with a side (today’s visitors) that are mid table, there are no gimmes in this league.

On a brighter note the secret Santa will take place this Saturday according to Spaino & Hattie I hope we all get what we deserve  & three Glorious points.

Changing tack, last week after training I overheard a conversation, I have not changed the names to protect the innocent, and I just thought I would share it with the Holmesdale faithful.

Saturday 15th December v Tunbridge Wells

Good afternoon, a warm welcome to Tunbridge Wells players, officials & supporters.

We are back after a week’s break in Kent League action today; our visit to the Culverden Stadium back in September saw both sides take a point in a very entertaining game.

The last outing in the shield saw us play below our current form & even some theatricals at half time from yours truly (nobody blasts better than Becks) did very little to relight the fire of previous performances.

In truth our opponents were resolute & workman like but the Dale were content to allow the game to pass us by which is not acceptable! Eventually the penny dropped & two goals in as many minutes saw us home just about.

On we went for the second time this year to Eden Park Avenue to play Beckenham Town, we did not know what to expect as we had gained a creditable draw with the league leaders just three weeks ago.

This league cup has given us the chance to look at different scenarios, this Tuesday being no different, we were confident as we have managed to score every time we have played them.  Having tried several different formations we went for a tried & tested formation with several changes in personnel. With the score at half time goalless the dressing room was a much pleasurable place to be than in recent weeks, whilst we would be the first to admit that the half was spent predominately on the back foot the dale played some excellent football that had produced several half chances. A scheduled half time change of goalkeeper saw JP Green back after a serious knock replacing the fast improving Lee Gibbs who had keep a clean sheet on his first start for the dale ones this term.

As expected town again went straight on the ascendancy to everyone’s credit the team kept the shape required & only some fine individual football put the town one up. Not to be out done the dale through good football drew level.

Garreth Broome, asking the chairman for what will seem like his obligatory weekly allowance. Town found a way to win this cup-tie but the plaudits went to Holmesdale FC as the whole squad deservedly went off to the applause they surely deserved. To play expansive football in the league leaders back yard can only benefit all concerned.

On a bitterly cold evening the football served up by both side was better than most of M O D highlights!

Now to a far more concerning matter, hundreds of club members have asked me if we are running the secret Santa again this year? Spaino you are leaving it very late son, on your head be it answers on a post card is Spaino one forgetful git!!

Finally Tony Prime (best goalkeeping coach this side of Bromley Common) turned up at the Beckenham game in a full-length black crombie over coat, many of the kids at the game thought he was the Undertaker from WWF, several of the more mature supporters thought he was the Grim Reaper!  But the shout of the night had to go to the lady on the tea bar that asked Primey for a photograph, naturally being the gentleman he is the Grim Reaper obliges, only for the woman to turn round to her friends and say ‘‘that picture’s gowin on me mantle piece it will definitely keep me kids away from the Fire’’!!

As this is our last home match of the year on behalf of everyone at Holmesdale FC, may we wish you a, merry Christmas & Happy new year.

We look forward to welcoming you all back on January 5^th 2008 when Lordswood will be our visitors