After coming from behind to gain an opening day point away to Hollands & Blair, Holmesdale are now looking to the start of the Emirates FA Cup this weekend with new boss Reece Parara eagerly awaiting his managerial debut in the greatest cup competition in the world.

Speaking with KSN after his sides 2-2 draw in Gillingham, Parara said, “I feel like for the majority of the game at the weekend we were the better side.

“We created more chances than they did, and we almost nicked it right at the end as the ball flashed across the box, but in the end, it was a new squad that we’ve put together, first game away to an established side like Hollands & Blair and we’ve come away with a point, so we can’t be too disappointed!” 

“Saturday was my first game in charge at this level and I really enjoyed it. It is a new level to me after coach Welling’s under 23s last year, it is a step into the “official” non-league! I took a few games for Welling’s first team but at this level being the actual manager, it was my first ninety minutes and I look forward to more.” 

“If we’d have come away with nothing it would have been harsh,” the Dale boss continued.

“Credit to the boys for not letting their heads go down after a couple of shocking decisions went against us, they did well to bounce back and leave with a point! The referee can only go on what he saw, but we don’t agree with it but on we go.” 

“Even though we have a new squad, I have known the boys for two or three years so when we went behind, I was never worried about their mentality or their ability to come from behind as I know them so well.

“For some of the newer boys however who have only come in this pre-season, to see how they adapted and reacted was really good to see and a good sign moving forward!” 

“Quite a few of the boys are still learning and developing, so they will learn from the weekend what’s effective at this level and what isn’t. Moving forward hopefully in our next game we can push on and go one better.” 

The next game for Dale is a home Cup tie with Crawley Down Gatwick at the weekend and the manager admitted, “I don’t know too much about them to be honest, but we will prepare and concentrate on ourselves and what our strengths are and I’m confident that at this level we can beat at lot of teams.”