In a local derby cup tie between two SCEFL Premier Division sides it was Glebe who came out on top on an enthralling seven goal thriller against Holmesdale at a sunny Foxbury Avenue on Saturday afternoon.

Holmesdale created the first chances of the game, but from there Glebe had the better of things though, dominating possession and putting the visitors under pressure from corners.

Holmesdale did have the better chances on the break with three efforts on goal just off target. Then after the water break Glebe again dominated possession, with Elliot Duncan having a shot saved by James Boughflower in the Dale goal.

The home side continued to press from there with Craig crossing for Jamie Philpott who saw his powerful header tipped over by Boughflower.

Glebe eventually took the lead on 34 minutes when a low cross from the right was deftly flicked home at the near post by Elliot Duncan for 1-0.

Duncan went close again soon after and they were only kept at bay by some superb blocks from the Holmesdale defenders on the edge of the area. Late in the half Dale had one more chance but the effort on goal went high over the bar.  

The second half saw Holmesdale start on top, kicking down the slope they came out looking to equalise from the off,  a header against the bar from a free kick and then a shot saved by Vilanauskas in the Glebe goal. Dale’s pressure paid off on 57 minutes when a corner was headed towards goal and turned over the line by Lester Lawrence from two yards out.

Holmesdale pressed again from there, hitting the bar and then firing the rebound over and soon after he drove wide from long range. Just after the hour Glebe rallied, Jamie Philpott had a shot well saved by Boughflower, but Jack Mahoney was on hand to turn in the rebound for 2-1 to the home side.

Glebe suddenly were back on top of things, Dyer took the ball past Boughtflower, but put his shot wide across the goal, but on the next attack Glebe went 3-1 up when Philpott ran clear of the Dale defence and coolly slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.

With the home side already now looking comfortably in front, Holmesdale then were reduced to ten men when their centre back received a second yellow and was sent off.

Glebe made their numerical advantage count on 84 minutes going 4-1 up when Philpott notched his second of the match breaking down the left and finishing with a deft chip over the advancing keeper from just inside the area.

The game looked done and dusted at that point, but Holmesdale still had life left in them, a great through ball to Max Ash saw him slide the ball past Vilanauskas to make it 4-2 with four minutes left and then on 89 minutes Lawrence latched on to a great pass and pulled the score back to 4-3 with a lovely finish just inside the area.

Tempers flared at that point with the home keeper refusing to let go of the ball and both benches had an angry exchange, but in the end there was no time left for Holmesdale to grab an equaliser and it all ended fairly amicably enough.

Luke Rooney’s Glebe battled hard for their victory against a Lee Roots’ spirited Dale and now go through to a home tie with Cray Valley PM in the next round in two weeks time.

Glebe: Vilanauskas, Hever, Holland, Bath, Benbow, Cray, Mahoney, Craig, Dyer, Philpott, Duncan.

Subs: Nika, Rooney, Green, Maher, Brown, Box, Pilbeam. 

Holmesdale: Boughtflower, McCarthy, Lopeman, Delaney, Skelly, Vaughan, Lawrence, Osman, Lika, Shield, Ayetine.

Subs: Daini, Ash, Olawole, Edwards, Obi.

Goals: Glebe – Duncan 34, Mahoney 74, Philpott 76 & 84mins. Dale – Lawrence 57 & 89, Ash 86mins. 

HT 1-0 FT 4-3      

Ref: Tony King.