Eleventh placed Holmesdale took on fourth placed Deal Town at a rainy Oakley Road on Wednesday night and the visitors ran out worthy winners in an entertaining match played at a frantic pace. 

After a lively opening few minutes Holmesdale took the lead when Ruel Powell-Downey picked up a loose pass in midfield and broke down the left before playing in Bailey Dell who showed great control on the edge of the box before slotting the ball into the corner of the net.

Deal responded to falling behind by pushing forward and Billy Munday saw his close range effort deflect over after a scramble in the box. Jack Paxman shot just wide as Town continued to press and they finally drew level on 10 minutes when Paxman drove the ball high into the corner of the net from the edge of the area to make it 1-1.

Troy Howard went close for Deal soon after and they then made it 2-1 when Rene Rivera squared a pass to Ben Chapman who controlled the ball with one touch and drove it low into the far corner of the net from ten yards out.

With the pitch holding up really well to the heavy rain, Deal were passing the ball round well and continued to create chances. Munday went close again before Sam Gibson made it 3-1 on 27 minutes when Macauley Murray played in a dangerous free kick to Rivera whose shot was saved by Nathan Edwards only for Gibson to convert the rebound.

As the half went on the challenges became heavier and tempers began to fray, but Referee Charles kept his cards in his pocket and then Chapman fired just wide after good work from Paxman as Deal looked to extend their lead.

The second half saw Holmesdale start well, James Shield having a chance saved by James Tonkin in the Deal goal, but as the game went on things opened up and play flowed from end to end, but the visitors had the better of things. Rivera, Chapman & Paxman all went close for Town before they eventually made it 4-1 on 75 minutes when Munday headed home a corner in a crowded six yard box to complete the scoring.

Late on William Polius went close for Dale with a driven effort from 20 yards out, but in the end Deal were worthy winners with an impressive performance away from home.                            

Dale – Edwards, Buiti, Rawsthorne, Eels, Skelly, Shield, Ward, McCarthy, Punselie, Dell, Powell-Downey.

Subs: Foster, Constable, Polius, Mazzi, Hubbard.

Deal – Tonkin, Niblett, Penny, Gibson, Wark, Munday, Paxman, Murray, Rivera, Chapman, Howard.

Subs: Brayne, Smithy, Scott, Hollier. 

Goals: HFC – Dell 5mins. DTFC – Paxman 10, Chapman 21, Gibson 27, Munday 78mins.  

Ref: Matthew Charles 

HT 1-3 FT 1-4