In a hard fought, competitive and entertaining local derby that saw two red cards, Holmesdale came away with all three points from their trip to FC Elmstead thanks to a late Samuel Adenola header.

The game was played for the most part in driving rain, but the excellent Lower Road pitch held up in the conditions and provided a superb surface for the teams to play on.

From the kick off Elmstead played with intensity and tried to stop Dale passing the ball, but the visitors found a way through on 8minutes whenShameek Farrell drove the ball low into the corner of the net from 20yards out.

The Dalers continued to press from there with Nathan Palmer and Ola Rabiu going close, before Jake Britnell had a free kick saved by Mackenzie Foley in the home goal, who was also on Hand to deny Farrell soon after.

Rabiu had an effort cleared off the line after a good link up with Palmer and Rabiu headed against the post from a Palmer cross before Foley saved the rebound.

Foley again made a great save from Rabiu when one on one and again denied Jordan Eels from point blank range after a corner.

Late on the half the home side rallied with Ahmed Deen heading wide and Marcus Cassius forcing a save from Nathan Edwards from just inside the box.

Dale started the second half on the front foot, Rory Ward had a header deflected over from a free kick, but the pace slowed from there and Elmstead came back into things.

Javlon Campbell fired just wide for the home side, before they were reduced to ten men when Aaron Dalhouse was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rory Ward.

Dale had another good spell from there with Farrell and Adenola having efforts saved by Foley, while Rabiu put a good chance wide latching on to a great ball from Palmer.

Then with eleven minutes to go Cassius equalised for Elmstead with a header from a set piece, that stunned the visitors.

Five minutes later though they restored their lead when Farrell crossed from the right for Adenola to flick his header past Foley and just inside the far post.

Late on Holmesdale ran the clock down, but suffered a blow when Farrell was shown a second yellow card in a mele by the corner flag, which may see him miss out on next weeks FA Vase match at Oakley Road against Uckfield.

Lee Roots’ side deserved the win over the piece, but Elmstead made them work hard for their victory and will take heart from the performance.

Elmstead: Foley, Thompson, Dawes, Sesay, Anderson, Dalhouse, Cassius, Deen, Campbell, Gonnella, Burrell. Subs: Kaskari, McCrae, Campbell, Sankor, Ofosuhene.

Dale- Edwards, Carpenter, Shield, Britnell, Nwita, Palmer, Rabiu, Farrell, Teodorescu, Eels, Ward. Subs: Adenola, Akland, Austin.
HT 0-1 FT 1-2 Att: 44