First Half Performance Wins It - Holmesdale vs. Beckenham Town

The stand at Oakley Road

For my first fully floodlit match of the season, I made the short journey from town to Bromley for Holmesdale against Beckenham Town in the Kent Senior League. I'd seen Beckenham soundly beaten by the Maidstone goal machine in pre season but Beckenham were now themselves scoring a few. Their form in both cup competitions had meant that their league programme had taken a back seat. They had an impressive victory over The Met in their latest FA Cup victory.  Holmesdale had won only won of their league games and recently parted company with their manager.

Kick off. The lower set of lights are the lights on the training pitch.

Holmesdale look like they are keen to improve on their league form and try to attack Beckenham but they fail to trouble the visitors. They soon fall behind when an effort is headed off the line only for the Beckenham player to lash the ball home from close range. Things soon get worse for Holmesdale when they concede a penalty as a result of a misjudged challenge. These early goals appear to knock the stuffing out the hosts and they concede a third, which I missed due to a poorly timed toilet break. Beckenham confirm their superiority with a second penalty just before half time.

Moments after the first penalty.

Despite the deficit, Holmesdale come out fighting. Beckenham possibly have their minds set on their cup date at Worthing on Saturday as they step off the gas. With around twenty minutes of the second half gone, Holmesdale win a penalty of their own which is dispatched by the substitute striker. He grabs a second when he turns his man and slots past the keeper. Holmesdale really push on and the visiting keeper has a few saves to make but Beckenham hold on for the win. 

The hedges behind the goal claimed several match balls during the evening.

Before the match I went to the fantastic Two Doves pub which is opposite the bus stop you need to alight at for the ground. It is an old style pub which has several ales is the ideal place for a pre match pint. The clubhouse has sky and serves the league sponsor Hurlimann, which the barman tells me is also known as fighting juice! It is very strong and I didn't have too many on a school night! To get to the ground I took the 320 bus from outside Bromley South Station. The bus journey takes around ten minutes and the train journey just over twenty. Both buses and trains depart on a regular basis. I also have to say how good it is to see a unique stand at a ground. Unfortunately so many teams are what for ever reason are opting for the prefab style stands and it was a nice change to see a different style at a ground.   

Cinema style seats in the stand.