Match Report: Holmesdale 1-1 Fisher

Holmesdale 1-1 Fisher
Wednesday 15 September 2021
SCEFL Premier Divison

Attendance:115

Match Report courtesy of the Non-League Chronicles. Give their facebook page a like: https://www.facebook.com/thenonleaguechronicles

Driving the 10 miles from home to Oakley road the home of Holmesdale took just over an hour. Situated on the back of Bromley slash Bickley in a very affluent street. The ground is down a small path that has fields either side. I played here many years ago and it’s clear to see that lots of TLC and a fair amount of cash has been spent. The new clubhouse is top class and the playing surface is much better than I remember.

Fisher had Da Mata, Katonia and Weemes restored to the starting line up. Which gave the side a more solid look in the middle of the park. As early as the third minute Lee Weemes made his presence felt when he flicked onto his strike partner Dennis Asante. As Asante took the ball in his stride he was fouled. Up stepped left back Temi Oladejo to thump a shot at goal. His strike only got as far as Fosters head who had to receive treatment from the blunt force trauma he received to head from Temis blockbuster.

Courtney Swaby found himself in acres of space down the left hand side and he made good use of the space taking his man on before shooting wide.
It was clear to see for anyone who was at the Bearsted game on Saturday that the tempo was so much higher in the opening period.
Holmesdale not to be outdone created a couple of chances of their own. Veteran striker Andy Constable headed just over from a well worked corner routine. And Nathan Palmer thrashed a shot towards Biggin Hill airport from 35 yards out.

Courtney Swaby who had enjoyed a bright start made another lung busting run from the halfway line. Beating a couple of defenders before crossing low from the byline. The holmesdale keeper palmed it away before any Fisher forwards could get near the cross. Holmesdales Owen Punselie was not to be outdone by Swaby and his impressive run down the right end when he shot into the side netting. The running battle between Punselie and Oladejo was a particular highlight of last nights game.

Fishers Sam Fitzgerald had also made his presence felt against his former club with three well timed tackles and clearances. In the 32nd minute Jacob Katonia came the closest to breaking the deadlock when his low curling effort from the edge of the box hit the left hand upright after long throw from Oladejo was flicked on by Weemes.

Dan Carpanini had the chance to get his gloves dirty as he got caught underneath a high hanging ball that he got a tiny touch on the ball before Sam Fitzgerald smashed the ball out tue ground before marshalling his troops. A piece of outrageous skill from the Holmesdale 9 on the halfway line that saw the ball flicked over Oladejos head before racing towards goal. The 9 was fouled 20 yards out and the resulting free kick was wasted. As the half drew to a close Jacob Katonia drifted a curling free kick over the bar from 25 yards out.

Right on half time Lee Weemes and Nathan Palmer received a yellow card each as the handbags came out.

Ht 0-0

Holmesdale started the second half on the front foot with Constable thumping his shot well over from another well worked corner. Swaby had a hand in the opening goal when he collected the ball in midfield before a near passing move saw the ball arrive at Temi Oladejos feet. He wasted no time in unleashing a blockbuster low inside the keepers left hand post to open the scoring. 0-1

Holmesdale are now looking to get back into the game. And when a chance comes you would want the ball to drop to Constable. After a lovely passing move the ball fell to Constable and his effort went wide. On another night Constable might have had a treble to his name. The games turning point came in the 60th minute. Holmesdales right back Jamie Rawsthorne received a straight red for a two footed lunge on Courtney Swaby. Both sides piled in and exchanged pleasantries.

I remarked to Jack that Fisher needed a second goal now to pull back the duvet put the chocolate on Holmedales pillow before tucking them in for the night.
Me and my big mouth!! Holmesdale found an equaliser in the 65th minute when the dangerous Punselie fired home at the far post. 1-1 [Watch the Fish goal here: https://twitter.com/i/status/1438229511502434310]

Holmesdale make a double sub to get some life into a tired looking side with ten men. While having a man advantage Fisher failed to use it hitting to many long balls down the middle instead of moving the ball into wide areas on a huge pitch. Swaby was at his tricky best winning a free kick. Swaby stepped up and took the free kick before it was cleared away downfield. Da Mata set Swaby away again as he chased the ball down the Dale keeper just getting there first to stop a dangerous attack.

Punselie got himself away from Oladejo down the right before cutting in and blasting the ball over. Lee Weemes race was run and he was replaced upfront by Ageymang who had a busy cameo appearance using his pace well to stretch a creaking back four. Malachi Coker found Ageymang with a nice slide rule pass. As Ageymang raced away he was one on one with the keeper. Ageymang shoots wide of the target.

Dennis Asante made way for Christian Udo up top as Fisher chased a winner. Holmesdale sub wearing 15 collected a yellow card for kicking the ball away. In the games dieing throws big central defender Sam Fitzgerald found himself upfront for a set piece. He chased the ball into the corner before winning it back looking up and passing the ball to Julio Da Mata who’s side foot shot was well saved low to his right by the keeper for the games last chance.

As the final whistle went both sides will be disappointed with a point that was hard fought for both sides.

Holmesdale 1-1 Fisher
NLC MOM – Temi Oladejo (Fisher) great tussle with Punselie and a great goal.

Fish goal scorer:
Temi Oladejo (50)