A solid second half display from Holmesdale saw them pick up all three points against Welling Town at Oakley Road on Wednesday night in a hard fought, physical game lit up by some very good goals. 

The game got off to a lively open start with Welling having the better of the early play and playing some nice football that belied their league position, but eleven minutes into things Dale took the lead on their first real attack.

A set piece into the visitors’ box was only cleared to the edge of the area and Nathan Palmer drilled the ball low into the far corner of the net to make it 1-0.

Welling almost drew level soon after when Rob Brown played a great ball to Taylor Robinson, but the striker’s goal bound effort was cleared off the line by John Foster, who was inured stopping the goal.

The game was often broken up with delays for treatment after some heavy tackles and The Boots’ Dennis Agbuduite had to be carried off with a serious looking injury.

Holmesdale pressed late on in the half, Rory Ward went close from distance and Victor Aiyelabola had a free kick saved by Ryan Coltress in the Town goal.      

The second half saw Dale make the perfect start when a cross from the right was deftly headed home by Punselie at the far post for 2-0.

Four minutes later it was 3-0 when a Palmer free kick was headed into the danger zone by Punselie and converted by William Polius from six yards out. Polis & Ward both went close soon after as Lee Roots’ side pressed The Boots, Aiyelabola then had a powerful drive saved by Coltress before tempers started to fray after more heavy challenges.

The frantic pace slowed for a while in the final third of the game, Nathan Sacrborough headed just over for Welling and Nathan Edwards in the Dale goal then saved from Ryan Golding, but the visitors couldn’t get a breakthrough.

In the final few minutes Holmesdale had another good spell of pressure, Andy Constable set up Palmer whose shot was saved by Coltress and Palmer then hit another powerful effort just over, but the fourth goal eventually came in injury time.

Aiyelabola crossed for Constable who headed the ball back to Kameiko Pope-Campbell to convert from close range and seal the victory for the home side.   

The win moves Holmesdale up to seventh ahead of the Kent Senior Trophy home game with Faversham Strikeforce on Saturday afternoon.                     

Dale – N Edwards, Buiti, McCarthy, O’Shea, Foster, Shield, Ward, Polius, Punselie, Palmer, Aiyelabola.

Subs: Constable, Nwitua, Pope-Campbell, Hackshall, C Edwards.

Welling – Coltress, Cave, Agbuduite, Oni, Coleman, Costa, Jimoh, Miles, Robinson, Brown, Piro.

Subs: Tabima, Scarborough, Small, Golding, Adetokunbo. 

Goals: Palmer 11, Punselie 46, Polius 50, Pope-Campbell 90mins.  

HT 1-0

FT 4-0 

Ref: Mr Aotr Zachwieja   

Att: 73