The Crows continued with their good form of late with another fine win, which means they are undefeated in seven games which will be pleasing both to the supporters and management team, who must take credit.
Crows were strengthened by the returning Jason Barton in midfield but missing Luke Carpenter with an Achilles injury and Wayne Clarke was also out injured. Crows started brightly against their South East Counties opponents, who had already disposed of East Grin- stead in the FA Cup, so a hard game was in prospect.
Holmesdale were lucky not to go be- hind early as Carrington and Barton combined on the left, with the latter’s cross shot just evading the far post. With Sam Saunders closing, but not to be denied in just the seventh minute under pressure, a Dale defender deflected the ball past keeper Hyde to give the hosts the advantage.
Crows were fairly rampant early on with Carrington firing a free kick over the bar, the visitors, guilty of giving the ball away following a free kick on the left by Scot Taylor, enabled Jason Bar- ton to rise majestically at the far post and head downwards into the net giving Hyde no chance whatsoever. Seventeen minutes Crows 2 – 0 up.
Carrington, ably supported by Ridley and Taylor with Saunders and Barton in midfield, caused all sorts of problems for the Holmesdale defenders and nearly got on the score sheet, but, after a period of good pressure it’s Callum Rid- ley who swept the ball home in the for- ty second minute to put the Crows in the driving seat. Nick Collick saved well down low from distance to keep the score at 3 – 0 to the hosts at the break.
Holmesdale came out in the second half with all guns blazing and reduced the deficit through Stewart to give the visitors some hope. Jack Turner with a brilliant towering header brought out a good smothering save by Hyde and on seventy minutes the Crows increase the lead with another brilliant strike from the dangerous Carrington. His quick accurate clearance from Nick Col- lick in the Crows goal turned his marker and left defenders in his wake, he drilled his shot hard and low past Hyde for his tenth goal of the season.
Wood came on for Barton who had an- other good game and Steadman for Rid- ley who had also excelled.
In spite of some late pressure from Holmesdale that brought a late score from the visitors number twelve and a couple of excellent saves from Collick, the Crows progress into the next round. A satisfying team performance against our Kent neighbours, who did offer more in the second half, but the better side won.