Holmesdale got back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon at Oakley Road when they overcame Sutton Athletic despite having a man sent off just before half time.

The game got off to an open start with play flowing from end to end, but Dale created the best chances, Andy Constable and Kemeiko Pope-Campbell both went close for the home team before they took the lead on nine minutes.

Pope-Campbell ending a strong run with a perfect pass to Constable who coolly slotted the ball home from ten yards out. Pope-Campbell and Constable combined again soon after when Constable had an effort saved by Joe Hyde in the Athletic goal, before Pope-Campbell and James Rawsthorne were both just off target from distance. #

Nathan Palmer hit the bar with a free kick as Dale continued to press and they went further in front on 38 minutes when the Referee Marcin Indyk awarded a penalty after pull in the box following another Palmer set piece. Palmer tucked away the spot kick to make it 2-0, but the play then turned for the final few minutes of the half.

Holmesdale midfielder Nad Nwitua was sent off for a challenge on Ricky North who had to go off injured. Sutton then came close to pulling a goal back when Luke Coleman had a shot saved by Nathan Edwards after good work by John Woodcock. 

The next goal looked key to deciding the fate of the game and it was Holmesdale who came out looking positive in the second half despite being down to ten men. Chris McGinty and Pope-Campbell both went close before Palmer made it 3-0 on 55 minutes, showing superb control of the ball before despatching it into the net from the edge of the box.

Coleman went close again for the visitors, but Dale continued to look the stronger side, Pope-Campbell driving over after a strong run through midfield. After a quiet spell of play following several substitutions Holmesdale put the game beyond doubt with nine minutes left when James Teodorescu crossed for Ryan Golding who turned sharply on the bye line and squeezed the ball home from an acute angle in off the far post.

Coleman was narrowly off target with a free kick and George Bryan had an effort saved for Sutton, before Holmesdale finished the stronger. Pope-Campbell and Rawsthorne combined to set up Golding whose powerful drive was brilliantly saved by Hyde and then John Woodcock had a shot blocked on the line by Richard Gregory to keep the final score of a very entertaining game at 4-0.                             

The win leaves Dale third place in SCEFL Division One, four points off the lead with two games in hand, while Sutton Athletic are now eleventh.   

Holmesdale: Edwards, O’Shea, Teodorescu, Nwitua, Eels, Fitzgerald, Rawsthorne, Pope-Campbell, Constable, Palmer, McGinty

Subs: Carpenter, Golding, Jeannoel, Oliviera, Samms.

Sutton Athletic: Hyde, North, Harris, Bryan, Wheeler, Howell, Murray, Sutherland, Linham, Coleman, Gunner

Subs: Gregory, Woodcock, Williams, Cripps.    

Goals: Constable 9 Palmer 38pen & 62, Golding 81mins.  

Attendance: 58

Referee: Marcin Indyk