Despite a spirited effort Holmesdale exited the FA Vase in a six goal thriller at Oakley Road on Saturday against a side from a level higher on what was an excellent pitch given the heavy rain in the build up.

Dale went into the game without top scorer Shameek Farrell and Keeper Nathan Edwards, but they were undeterred trying to play positive football from the kick off.

In an open start George Cook hit the side bettering for Uckfield, while Dale’s Nathan Palmer had an effort saved by Jason Tibble.

Uckfield pressed from there and put the home side under pressure, which eventually paid off on 13 minutes when Morgan Vale’s strong run set up Max Walsh who drove the ball low into the corner of the net from the edge of the box. Dale rallied from there with Palmer denied by an excellent saving Tackle from Muhammad Zubadne.

But as Holmesdale had a good spell, the visitors cashed in on a poor pass out from defence and made it 2-0 when Calum Ridley latched on to the loose ball and drilled it past Adam Highstead from eighteen yards out.

Dale rallied again from there though and pulled one back on 24 minutes from a set piece as Palmer crossed for James Shield who converted from close range.

Palmer went close twice more and Sam Adenola fired over before the pressure finally saw them draw level on 40 minutes when Palmer showed great feet on the edge of box before curling a superb effort past Tibble to make it 2-2 at the break with all to play for.

The second half got off to a really open start , Ola Rabiu clipped a chance wide after a good run and Adenola had a shot saved for Dale before at the other end Uckfield were handed the advantage when Dan Carpenter was judged to have fouled Jack Samways in the box and Referee Mr Agboola awarded a penalty.

Samways got up to convert the spot kick and make it 3-2 to the visitors. Holmesdale pressed against from there, with Carpenter’s long throws into the box causing Uckfield problems.

Palmer had a powerful drive saved by Tibble and Saul Kader fired just wide, but late on the visitors sealed their victory when with Dale pushing up Uckfield broke and Sam Carrington surged into the Dale area and battled his way through the defence before bundling the ball home to make it 2-4.

Late on Rory Ward headed over from a corner for Dale as they never gave up tying to find a way back into things, but in the end it wasn’t to be for Lee Roots’ side.

Dale – Highstead Carpenter Teodorescu Nwitua Eels Shield Ward Adenola Rabiu Palmer E Green. Subs: Ntumba Austin Towner Kader S Green Hornsby.

Uckfield – Tibble Zabadne Kirkpatrick Ridley Haver Tear Cook Samways Vale Carrington Walsh. Subs: Harper Cash Clarke Francis Page Platt.

Goals: Dale – Shield 24, Palmer 41mins. Uckfield – Walsh 14, Ridley 21, Samways 68pen, Carrington 89mims.
HT 2-2 FT 2-4
Att: 89.
Ref: Paul Agboola