Tunbridge Wells 2 Holmesdale 2

Match 76/13/1102 - Tuesday, 15th April 2014 - Southern Counties East

Tunbridge Wells (0) 2 Sinden 77, Parsons 83
Holmesdale (1) 2 Dinaro 35, Ogunseye 90
Att. 205

Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: £1.50
Mileage: 26/7,278

Match Report

As the season hurtles towards its close, I thought I'd take the last few posts to look back on the season of the club involved. There is a little bit of disappointment with each of the clubs, two locked in relegation battles and Tunbridge Wells, for whom it appears, will fall just short in their pre-season ambition to win the Southern Counties East and therefore attain promotion to the Ryman League.

In a league of just 17 clubs, more often than not, one team canters away to take the single promotion spot that is on offer. After their FA Vase exploits and Kent Senior Trophy win last season it was to be hoped that Tunbridge Wells would be that team, but unfortunately for them, but interesting for the neutral observer, this term has developed into a three horse race. Ashford United were always thought to be the threat, but Whyteleafe emerged from mid-table of the previous season to ultimately be the champions-elect.

Early season looked good for the Wells, a fine FA Cup win over Ryman League Whitstable added to solid league form, but a Cup defeat at Eastbourne Town heralded a shaky spell that included a humiliating 5-0 defeat at home to Cray Valley. A two-leg defeat by Ashford in the League Cup, an exit from the Vase at the hands of Hanworth Villa and a telling 6-1 thrashing at Whyteleafe left Martin Larkin with work to do and a corner to turn. And then it started to rain . . .

From the date of the Whyteleafe defeat on 30th November until 1st February only three competitive fixtures were played, the Hanworth defeat and 8-0 and 6-0 romps against Rochester and Deal. Since then the Wells have been playing catch-up and have never quite re-emerged as favourites. Ashford have had their own blip and both clubs are were now waiting for Whyteleafe to slip and to all intents and purposes they still are. In the coming days, the Wells go to Ashford and Ashford visit Whyteleafe in fixtures that will define the season, but Whyteleafe are going to win it.

Three points from this game against Holmesdale would have been very handy leading into their Ashford show-down, but a last minute goal from Benja Ogunseye deprived the Wells of the victory.

Holmesdale were good value for their half-time lead supplied with a close range finish from Ciro Dinaro and it took until 13 minutes from time before substitute Richard Sinden volleyed in from eight yards and six minutes later Ian Parsons scored from 20 yards with a shot into the top corner. The Holmesdale goalkeeper made three excellent saves before Ogunseye squeezed a shot between Chris Olagdogba and his near post to frustrate the home side.

The picture below shows the new turnstiles and fencing that has been erected as the club seek the ground grading required for entry into the Ryman League. Second place in the past has seen clubs promoted as leagues are reorganised or clubs take voluntary relegation for financial reasons, so all is not lost for the Wells.