Straight from kick-off, returning striker Lewis Heywood won a ball hit upfield, leading to a Malachi Hudson curled shot that whistled dangerously past the post. Soon after, Hollands & Blair tapped in a deflected effort, but the flag went up for offside after Dale failed to win the ball back.

In the 5th minute, the visitors struck, Kane Rowland lashed into the top corner after a ball across the box…0-1. Hudson showed his usual flair following this with a flick over a defender’s head and a pass in behind. Callum Keeble then had a shot from a good position, but it didn’t result in a goal.

Hollands & Blair were winning aerial duels, stopping Holmesdale from gaining control. Kayden Turner, who had a top performance, pressed his man relentlessly. Still, Dale struggled to keep possession, and Hollands & Blair doubled their lead this time through George Goodwin with a wonderful aerial half volley following Holmesdale failing to clear the ball…0-2

On 30’ Holmesdale hit back though through Malachi Hudson and a trademark thunderbolt following another Lewis flick -on header, then four minutes later beautifully curled a free-kick in at the near post….2-2 in the blink of an eye. In the 38th minute, Hollands & Blair’s Duane Ofori-Acheampong was sin-binned for dissent following a disagreement with the linesman. Hudson kept threatening, forcing the keeper into a save from another free-kick, while Dale’s attackers pressed high and forced mistakes. In added time, Kevin Dance came close again to breaking his duck, but his effort only resulting in a corner.

The second half stayed fiery. Kayden Turner whipped in a dangerous cross that just evaded his teammates. Then the controversial moment, on 47’ Hollands & Blair scored again, initially flagged offside, but after a long chat between referee and linesman, the goal stood, leaving manager Andy Constable unimpressed.

A lengthy spell of strong tackles and plenty of trash talk then ensued between the two sides. Holmesdale made a change, Nathan Palmer replaced Kevin Dance in the 58th minute. Soon after, Hollands & Blair showed slick passing to beat Dale’s press. But Holmesdale roared back on 68’, Callum Keeble volleyed from distance over the stranded keeper, sparking joyous celebrations from the Holmesdale faithful in the rain and tieing the match at 3-3

Further subs followed, Cameron McGovern for Jason Goodchild, then Jude Jeffrey for the injured Will Bell. Jude nearly set up Palmer with a fine cross, but the header went just wide. Late introductions for Marcus Elliot and Enoch Muwonge couldn’t change the game, and heartbreak struck when Ofori-Acheampong grabbed his second in a box scramble to seal a late winner for Hollands and Blair.

This was a really sour defeat, especially with the way the game eventually unfolded, but we need to put it in the past and focus on Snodland away and try and get some confidence back in this undoubtedly talented Dale squad.

COME ON DALE!

Jay Underwood
Holmesdale 1956 FC Contributor