Holmesdale picked up their third consecutive win with an impressive second half performance against Lordswood in torrential rain at Oakley Road on Saturday afternoon.

The whole match was played out in exceptionally heavy rain and the pitch held up very well throughout. After a cagey start with both sides getting used to the conditions, Dale had the first real chance when Andy Constable saw his header from a corner blocked on the line.

As the half went on Dale had the better of things with Nathan Palmer crossing for Rory Ward whose shot was well saved by George Bentley in the Lordswood goal.

Victor Aiyelabola also had an effort denied by Bentley going into the break, but the score remained tied at zero. 

The second half saw Holmesdale get off to the perfect start when Aiyelabola was given time and space on the edge of the box to bring the ball down and drive a well struck low shot into the bottom corner of the net for 1-0.

Lordswood had a couple of efforts from long range with Tom Carter having a shot saved by Nathan Edwards in the home goal. Dale then pressed again with a series of set pieces and corners, Aiyelabola went close twice and Charlie Hackshall hit a half volley just wide of the post.

Lordswood when close when Charlie Gill sent in a dangerous cross that Edwards spilled, but Dale cleared the ball away.

With 18 minutes to go tempers frayed with a scuffle in front of the stand side of the pitch, which saw Aiyelabola knocked to the ground, Owen Punselie booked for the home side and Wood’s Steven Mills eventually shown a red card.

Holmesdale pressed their numerical advantage from there, Hackshall hit the post and Aiyelabola had his shot from the rebound saved by Bentley, then Punselie saw his low drive brilliantly saved again by Bentley who turned the ball over the bar with a strong arm.

Lee Roots’ side then went 2-0 up with ten minutes to go when Hackshall played in Punselie who slipped the ball under the advancing Bentley and into the net.

Ward was just off target from the edge of the area before it was 3-0 when Palmer curled in a beautiful goal from 25 yards out, which dropped in just under the bar and inside the far post.

The rest of the game was played out in horizontal rain, with both sides giving their all and given the conditions this was a really entertaining match of which Holmesdale were worthy winners.   

The win takes Dale up to fourth in the table, while Lordswood slip down to eighteenth.                       

Dale – Edwards, Buiti, Teoddorescu, Nwitua (Polius 82), Foster, Shield, Ward, Hackshall, Constable (Punselie 60), Palmer, Aiyelabola (Oriogun 75).

Subs not used: Hart, O’Shea. 

Lords –  Bentley, Courtain, Silbey, Creed, Taylor, Hunter, Mills, Smith (Bearman-Dyer 79), Gill, Rayer (Gorse 62), Carter.

Subs Not Used: Gilbert, Bush, Rollings.  

Goals: Aiyelabola 46, Palmer 80, Punselie 83mins.

HT 0-0 FT 3-0

Att: 41