Consistency, application and adaptability is crucial as we move into the second half of the league season and we will look to take all the momentum we hold currently into tomorrow’s game against Lydd, says Holmesdale boss Lee Roots

HOLMESDALE manager Lee Roots says he is searching for the same consistency going into the business end of the season.

 

The Bromley based side have the best defensive record in the Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League First Division, conceding an impressive nine goals in their 15 league outings.

Holmesdale are in fifth-place in the table with 32 points from their 15 league games and do have games in hand on every side that are above them in the league table.

Much-fancied side Kennington are at the top of the tree with 39 points from their 19 league games and they are followed by Rusthall (38 points from 18 games); Rochester United (38 points from 20 games) and FC Elmstead (36 points from 20 games).

Holmesdale welcome thirteenth-placed side Lydd Town to Oakley Road tomorrow.

“In what seems a long time, we finally return back to league action tomorrow afternoon as we welcome Lydd Town to Oakley Road,” said Roots, who declined to comment on their abandoned game at Rochester United last weekend.

“December saw us have three games postponed due to waterlogged pitches and a week with no league game over the Christmas and New Years’ period really has allowed us to recharge and get in some valuable work with the players as a squad.

“We have been very active in that time as we have played three friendlies against very good varied opposition, with our last friendly bringing a very strong win and performance against a higher league placed opposition in Balham.

“We go into tomorrow’s game on a run of 10 games unbeaten in the league and we now hold four, five or even six games in hand of some, with points to go ahead of almost everyone placed above us.

“We still have yet to concede double figures in goals this season, conceding only nine goals only so far this campaign with eight clean sheets from our 15 games.

“We are unbeaten away from home in all competitions and have only lost one league game all season.

“A massive credit is deserved to all the players and staff for the work they have banked to secure such a strong and emphatic first half of the season.

“Recently, I have signed and brought into the camp the right calibre and character of players needed at this stage of the season and we now move into the second half of the campaign being the strongest we have been all season.

“Consistency, application and adaptability is crucial as we move into the second half of the league season and we will look to take all the momentum we hold currently into tomorrow’s game.

“Lydd Town by history have always been a tough proposition and I expect that to be exactly the same tomorrow. They recently have made a change with their manager and management staff, and that will always add new energy into their ranks.

“As every week and as with every team we face, we respect the opposition, we have prepared fully throughout the week for our opponents and we focus on us and ourselves only.

“We have had some great support this season at games and the work that is going on behind the scenes by everyone involved at the club is something to be admired, so we advise and encourage all who can to come and support Holmesdale FC in 2020.”

Visit Holmesdale’s website:  www.holmesdalefc.com

Holmesdale  v  Lydd Town
Sea Pionner Southern Counties East Football League First Division
Saturday 18 January 2020
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HG