Holmesdale picked up another hard earned three points at a chilly Oakley Road on Saturday afternoon when they over came a spirited Tower Hamlets side thanks to two goals from Owen Punselie and one spectacular free kick from Nathan Palmer.

In blustery conditions Tower Hamlets started the game the brighter looking to push forward, Tola Odedoyi & Zain Pereira both going close early on, with efforts that we narrowly wide.

Somewhat against the run of play though, it was Dale who took the lead on 9 minutes when on the break Owen Punselie had a shot saved by Tayo Olotaro, but the striker pounced on the rebound and made no mistake with his second attempt for 1-0 to the home side.

Punselie went close again soon after and Rolex Buiti then set up Nathan Palmer whose volley was well saved by Olotaro.

Hamlets then had another good spell of pressure with Dale defender James Shiels making two excellent saving tackles to deny Pereira in the area.

As the game developed a more physical edge Kameiko Pope-Campbell went close with a free kick for Dale before the visitors also had chances with Pereira forcing a fine save from Nathan Edwards who was also in the right place to deny Odedoyi saving his downward header with his legs on the goal line.

Then in first half injury time Dale doubled their lead in unusual circumstances when Palmer hit a cheeky free kick towards goal from all of 45 yards out and Olotaro was unable to keep the ball out as the keeper back peddled towards goal with Rory Ward making sure the ball crossed the line. 

The second half started with Holmesdale pressing, Ward set up Palmer who shot wide, before their pressure paid off on 49 minutes when a passing move around the area eventually fell to Punselie who drove the ball home with power from ten yards out for 3-0.

James Teodorescu then hit a free kick just over, before the visitors also came back into things. Odedoyi and Banos Vaivada both had efforts just off target for the visitors, while Palmer forced a superb save from Olotaro at the other end and Dale sub William Polius latched on to a long ball before shooting just wide.

Some heavy challenges saw play broken up for treatment to injuries, but Tower Hamlets were handed a way back into the game on 79 minutes when Buiti gave away a penalty for a clumsy challenge on Vaivada. Ibrahim Kargo stepped up and converted the spot kick low into the left hand corner to make it 3-1.

Pereira went close to pulling another goal back soon after and Edwards made a great save to tip over a powerful drive to deny Leve Fernandez soon after.

Holmesdale then had a strong spell going into the final minutes, Palmer & Joe Hart were just off target, while Kari Ofogun had a header saved by Olotaro from a Palmer free kick.

Olotaro made two more saves to deny a Nad Nwitua shot and a Ofogun header before the visitors had the final chance of the match when Odedoyi headed a good chance over from a deep cross.

The win keeps Lee Roots’ side in the top seven, while Hamlets still occupy twentieth place with only four points to their name so far this season, although there were certainly signs that they aren’t too far off a turn around in form from this performance if they can convert more of their chances.                                    

Dale – Edwards, Buiti, Teodorescu, Nwitua, Hart, Shiels Ward, Hackshall, Punselie, Palmer – Pope-Campbell.

Subs: Orfogun, Gyebour, Rawsthorne, Aiyelabola, Povius.   

THFC – Olotaro, Bolaji, Cante, Wilfort, W Odedoyi, Kargo, Youbi, Lanuzi, T Odedoyi, Voivada, Pereira.

Subs: Hacoudian, Fernandez, Gillett, Taku.         

Goals – HFC – Punselie 9 & 49mins, Palmer 45mins. THFC – Kargo 79 pen. 

HT 2-0

FT 3-1