In appalling wet & windy conditions only suitable for the rugged, Holmesdale and Canterbury battled out an entertaining scoreless draw at Oakley Road on Saturday afternoon.

A new look Canterbury side started the game on top, Harry O’Donnell had a shot deflected wide and from the Monty Sunders corner Seb Rowland had an effort saved by James Boughtflower.

Saunders fired over from range soon after as the visitors continued to dominate the play, but from there Holmesdale came back into things.

Joe Nwoko had a shot saved by Harry McKie, Siji Akinlusi headed wide and Luke Adams also had a shot well saved. With the game now wide open, both sides created chances late in the half, for City, Jimmy Witt crossed for Rowland who deflected the ball narrowly wide, Danny Keyte then headed wide from a set piece and Rowland was just off target again.

For Dale, Nwoko hit the bar with a powerful shot and Edward Sata had a shot saved by McKie just before the break.

With the wind now at their backs Holmesdale started the second half on top, Fred Obasa played in Nwoko whose shot was saved by McKie and then Adams fired a free kick just over the bar.

Akinlusi had a header saved as the home side continued to press and then Rowland made a superb tackle to deny Nwoko in the area. Just after the hour Adams hit the bar with a dipping free kick from 25 yards and a series of dangerous corners from Sata caused Canterbury problems, but they held out.

Going into the final 15 minutes City rallied, Henry Arnold having a shot saved by Boughtflower and play opened up.

With both sides looking for the win late on Cian McCarthy shot over for Dale and then in injury time City sub Leo Dodds had a header saved by Boughtflower as both sides had to settle for a point.

This was Canterbury’s second draw in a row under new manager Dan Lawrence as they look to perform the great escape from relegation, while Lee Roots’ Holmesdale are now unbeaten in six and remain eleventh in the table.

Credit must go to the ground staff who got this game on and the players and officials for putting on an enthralling match despite the lack of goals.         

Dale: Boughtflower, Yilmaz, Sata, Styles, Akinlusi, Reid-Newth, Obasa, McCarthy, Adams, Nwoko, Semazzi.

Subs: Daini, Lands, Ntumba, Harsini, Ayetue. 

City: McKie, Turner, Keyte, Weston, Witt, Lawrence, Carey, Maher, Rowland, Saunders, O’Donnell.

Subs: Arnold, Grieson, Green, Dodds, Kray. 

FT 0-0

Att: 42