Click on images to enlarge.

Images can be navigated using the prev and next icons.

Attendence:72

Holmesdale: White, Hughes, Morrison

Hythe Town: Sly

The Dalers had an opportunity to bounce back from a disappointing midweek result against Tunbridge Wells. Standing in their way were the current league leaders and favourites for the title Hythe Town. Having beaten the reds earlier in the season, in the first round of the Kent Senior Trophy, in addition to building an excellent home record this campaign, the home side were quietly confident in this being just the type of challenge they thrive on. The pitch was very good considering the weather and the conditions had improved just before kick off. Just moments in to the game there were nearly fireworks on the field as the Dalers were attacking down the left. Morrison delivered a ball which caught out everyone. White arrived at the far post and missed what looked a certain goal. This was clearly another game which was not going to be a tight or cagey affair.

Hythe, having been caught cold, were exposed shortly afterwards again as Greaves turned his marker and delivered another good cross, unfortunately no one arrived to finish off the move. The crowd did not have to wait long for the reds to respond in an exciting opening to the match. Not even 10 minutes had been played when the visitors had a couple of sights of goal. There was one of those key moments as Harwood saved, but spilt, Mickelborough’s low drive and Bouvier pounced and shot at a gaping net. Almost turning away ready to accept the applause the striker looked up only to see ‘never say die’ Nicoli throwing himself to block on the line. Holmesdale’s Mr dependable kept the score sheet blank some how. The away side’s next flurry forward forced a corner and the pressure was relieved by a clearance and then White made a block on the edge of the box.

From this moment on the Dalers never looked back and soon had the ball at the other end of the field opening Hythe up with quick passing. The visitors cleared the ball but only for a corner. Following an attempted clearance the ball was delivered from the left and again White arrived late towards the far post. He controlled the cross like a Dutch master, brought it inside a defender and slotted the ball home in the back of the net, a top draw finish.

1-0 14 mins.

The end to end play continued and the real cutting edge came from the Dalers. Greaves was set up by Thompson as the reds were stretched again. He could not beat Hyde who saved and gave a real tongue lashing to the defenders in front of him. The second goal followed a period where attacks were quick, incisive and came from all areas. Greaves and Hughes especially gave the defence all kinds of trouble. Hythe had no answer and could not keep the ball long enough to respond. It was to be a brace for White who again was to show his qualities. He had worked well down the right and forced a corner. Nothing came from it however the ball was won back and Morrison won a corner on the left after being released on the counter attack by a good Harwood throw. The cross was driven in and just flicked off a Hythe head into White’s path. He hit a sweet half volley that flashed back across everyone, except for Hughes who's glancing touch ended with the ball finishing in the far corner.

2-0 22 mins.

Hythe now had to force the issue and throw more bodies forward which they did. In truth they seemed unable to create clear chances on goal with the exception of Sly. The midfielder clipped the crossbar with a long rage effort. Holmesdale had managed to restrict the reds to free kicks and a couple of corners. Harwood made a comfortable stop from a free kick outside the box but shortly afterwards almost presented a gift with a poor goal kick. Just on the half hour a moment of controversy from the visitor's point of view. A ball over the top and skipper Tolfrey and striker Bouvier tangled. The forward was pulled back and a yellow card was shown to the centre half, he was judged not to have prevented a goal scoring opportunity.

With another free kick they could not exploit the visitors started leaving themselves susceptible to the Dalers counter attacking football. As Hythe tried to push forward to find a way back into the game Holmesdale got a crucial third goal. Corneille and Thompson were now running the midfield and it was another good pass that split Hythe’s defence and played in Morrison. He took the ball round Hyde who tried to close him in vain. He calmly beat the man trying to get back on the line for a comprehensive lead.

3-0 37 mins.

A shell shocked Hythe kept pushing however they had been caught out by the Dalers quality going forward. In quite simply the best first half display of the season the players were sharp and clinical and a neutral would have picked those in yellow and green as the favourites for the title. After such a bright display the team contrasted this with a mature professional approach protecting a lead to try to secure a victory. This was not just the story of the second half either as the reds finished the half with a spell of pressure which included 4 corners in a row.

Holmesdale had to maintain a level of discipline not only because of the quality of the opposition but also as it’s a necessary ability the Dalers have witnessed in all the better teams at this level. All of the players worked hard to ensure the visitors did not have any encouragement or see a way back during the second forty five minutes. This turned out to be a well executed plan, although not surprising with recent quality and experienced additions being added to the already talented squad. The visitors had more possession through the half but were not afforded time and space to make anything of it. With so little opportunity being offered only Sly really stood out for the away side. The young midfielder brought a wonderful save out of Harwood who tipped a shot onto the post in the last twenty minutes. Not finished yet the player scored a consolation goal capping a good personal performance on the day. The one time the Dalers switched off Hythe had a throw deep in the last third. The defence did not react and from the flick Sly shot from just inside the box into the top corner.

3-1 83 mins.

It was not to spoil and excellent team performance and a well earn 3 points taking Holmesdale back to the top of the Kent premier league. Not for the first time this season a performance worthy of the position.

3-1 90 mins.

Holmesdale

DANNY HARWOOD (7.5), CHRISTOS NICOLI (8.0), DAVID MAY (7.0), CHARLIE CORNEILLE (8.5), TOM McQUADE (7.5), RAY TOLFREY JNR (C) (8.0), STEVE WHITE (8.0), JASON THOMPSON (8.0), JOEL GREAVES (8.0), JOEL HUGHES (8.0), ANTHONY J, MORRISON (8.0)

Substitutes: L. MORGAN (6.5), S.DIAMOND (6.5), MARK TOMPKINS (6.5), ALAN BROOKS (gk)

HJ Sullivan 10/11/2008