Holmesdale moved up to eighth place in the Southern Counties Eastern League table with this comprehensive win over an Erith Town side short on confidence, with the home side playing some great football and now taking their chances.

Dale started the game in positive fashion looking to move the ball round quickly and attack, Lee Prescott hit the bar with a curling effort from outside the box and he also fired wide soon after.

Both sides tried to play the ball out from the back, which was no mean feat on a heavy pitch, but Dale did it with more success as Erith often gave the ball away or hit percentage balls when under pressure.

Dominic Weston was denied the visitors first chance when Kristain Campbell made a superb last ditch block as he shaped to shoot on goal and from the resulting corner No.6 saw his header tipped over by Alex Hyde.

Campbell then saw a well taken free kick palmed away by former Cray Keeper Nick Taylor at the other end after Nicky Wyebrow had been brought down on the edge of the box. Soon after Wyebrow hit the bar when attempting to lob Taylor from distance, and the home sides pressure eventually paid off on 35 minutes when Wyebrow and Rikki Cable combined to set up Dan Morris who scrambled the ball home from close range.

Holmesdale continued to press and just before the break Romario Hart saw a cheeky attempt to chip Taylor just scrape over the bar.

The second half saw Holmesdale again look to be more creative and positive and they were awarded a penalty on 52 minutes after the Linesman flagged for a push in the box. Campbell sent Taylor the wrong way for 2-0 from the spot.

With The Dockers now all at sea Dale were soon 3-0 up when Hart crossed for Cable to flick the ball home with the outside of his right foot on 57 minutes.

Erith were handed a way back into the game just after the hour when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Marcus Cassius, Dominic Weston tucked away the spot kick to make it 3-1 and he had a strong effort well saved by Hyde soon after, but as time went on The Dockers lost belief and direction.

Akin Ajose notched the home side’s fourth goal on 71 minutes with a powerful solo run into the box and cool finish past Taylor before being mobbed by his team mates.

Cassius nearly pulled one back for Erith late on with a turn and shot from 30yards which just went over and he also had a goal ruled out for offside as did Dale sub Benga Ogunseye at the other end.

Ogunseye had a shot well saved by Taylor, before in injury time Mert Varli scored he best goal of the game sending the ball sailing over Taylor’s head from 35 yards, to which one fan commented was worth the seven pounds on it’s own.

After losing manager John-Paul Collier last week, this was a fantastic result for Holmesdale who played some lovely football and richly deserved their win.

Ennio Gonella’s Erith Town will hope for a change in fortunes soon as they have dropped to second bottom in the league, letting in five goals for the second week running.

 

Goals: Dan Morris 35, Kristian Campbell 52pen, Rikki Cable 59, Akin Ajose 71, Mert Varli 90mins  – Dale.

Dominic Weston 62pen – Erith Town.

Holmesdale: Hyde, Campbell, Hollis, Ajose (Gorden 68), Prescott, Hart, Cable, Morris (Ogunseye 56), Wyebrow (Varli 72), Coleman.

Subs Not Used: Hughes, Somule.

Match Rating: 4/5

Star Man:  Romario Hart (Holmesdale)

Att: 43