In a break from the league campaign Holmesdale take on Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday night at Oakley Road in the third round of the SCEFL Challenge Cup. 

Lee Roots’ Holmesdale side go into the cup tie on the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Sheppey United on Saturday, Dale sit eleventh in the table with 31 points from 22 matches played, they have only played three times so far this year, winning once.

The Dalers defeated FC Elmstead 2-1 in December to reach this round of the competition courtesy of two first half goals from Rory Ward.

Richard Styles’ Tunbridge Wells make the journey across Kent having beaten Erith & Belvedere 2-1 away last midweek, thanks to goals from Jordan Wells and Tom Carlton just after the hour mark, a win that left then in ninth in the table with 33 points from 20 league games played.

Wells have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five matches. Tunbridge Wells overcame Larkfield & New Hythe 2-1 away in the previous round, Dany Keyte and Matt Gething with the goals in November.       

The two sides have already met once in the league this season back in August, with Dale winning 1-0 at Culverden Stadium thanks to an early goal from Rory Ward and with them being only two places apart in the current league table, this should set up another close fought, entertaining encounter, with a place in the quarter finals at stake.  

Kick off at Oakley Road is 7.45pm, entrance is £8 for adults and £5 for concessions with a printed programme for £1.