Tunbridge Wells 1 Holmesdale 0

Match 24/08/708 - Tuesday, 4th November 2008 - Kent League

Tunbridge Wells (1) 1 Tate 41
Holmesdale (0) 0
Att. 82

Entrance: £6
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 26/3,200

Match Report

Tunbridge Wells moved to within two points of their visitors Holmesdale with a hard fought, well deserved single goal victory.

The weekend’s deluge had left the game in some doubt but a lunchtime inspection had given the go-ahead. On a mild night, the pitch had obviously taken a soaking but played pretty well.

The first half was an end-to-end contest with both sides creating and failing to take several good chances. The Wells finally made the breakthrough four minutes from the break when Wes Tate side-footed in from close range.

The second half was far more clear cut and although the home side could not add to their lead they dominated the 45 minutes. Good chances went begging with Mike Lord being the unfortunate fall guy on several occasions.

Holmesdale are a Bromley-based club now in their second season in the county’s senior division and to have moved to second place in the current table is a testament to the progress they have made. Their first half display showed that they have the ability to compete at the top end of the league in the coming months.

As for the Wells, they are a club on the up. Much will depend on the destination of Ross Cable, their leading goalscorer. It is speculated that he could be moving on in the near future and he will be difficult to replace. The number of chances that were passed up on the night, although Cable was also guilty, showed the need to keep players of his quality at the club.

Disappointing aspect of the night was an attendance that again failed to reach three figures. Tunbridge Wells have a good side playing decent football and a game against the second placed side should attract more than the 82 that attended. Perhaps Champions League football on the television accounted for a few missing bodies, but it is a shame that local interest doesn’t appear to be increasing despite the club’s early season success. My visit last month also produced an attendance of 82, could it be that they were exactly the same people?