Two goals early in the second half ensured that Forest Hill Park progressed to the semi-finals of the Presence & Co. Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup at the expense of Holmesdale at the Alex Yee Ladywell Arena.
Although playing in Division One, the Dons had already beaten two Premier Division clubs and defeating Holmesdale was, arguably, there biggest scalp yet. Although Forest Hill Park are targetting the league title, and the Dalers have play-off ambitions, it was evident that both teams were taking the cup seriously as well.
Nathaniel Murray had Holmesdale’s first effort with a fierce drive that drew an excellent save out of the hosts’ goalkeeper George Kamurasi. At the other end Uli Fischer headed off target from a Tobi Coker cross then Zak Ansah had a shot deflected wide.
Deandre Williams used his skills to create space for himself before shooting straight at Kamurasi before Ryan Palmer shot well over for the Dons after a corner was cleared to him twenty-five yards out. Tommy Taylor was then called upon to turn a powerful Ansah drive over.
Ryan Johnson, Coker and Palmer were all to high with shots before Georgi Steeds exhibited great control however he shot from a tight angle and Taylor was able to save comfortably. Palmer had another effort from fifteen yards that fizzed just over before the first half drew to a close.
In the first minute of the second half, the hosts broke the deadlock. Palmer’s long through ball sent Steeds away and he went round Taylor before slotting home.
From a Holmesdale corner, the hosts broke away and Coker squared to Ansah who shot straight at Taylor before the Dons added a second. Palmer delivered a diagonal free kick and Johnson rose to head home.
Looking for a quick response, Deandre Williams beat Kamurasi with a cross-shot that came back out off the crossbar before a clean strike from Sam Bayford was held by the Dons goalkeeper.
With ten minutes remaining, the Dalers task got harder when Micquelle Murray was dismissed for a second yellow card offence. However, they continued to probe and Harry Flemming gave Ogmosa Williams a chance but he fired into the side netting.
Two minutes from time, Ogmosa Williams pulled one back from Wale Odedoyin’s pass but it was too little too late as the hosts saw out the remaining time with relative comfort.
Forest Hill Park: Kamurasi, Saunders, Teadorescu, Everett, Barrett, Johnson, Palmer (Barrance 63), Coker (Aikhionbare 78), Fischer (Mbango 65), Ansah (Morris 73), Steeds.
Sub not used: Anderson.
Goalscorers: Steeds (46), Johnson (52)
Yellow card: None
Holmesdale: T. Taylor, Lugboso (Avery 79), Rayment-Johnson, Musoke, C. Taylor, M. Murray, N. Murray, Bayford (Flemming 69), Heywood-Oriogun (Odedoyin 57), Clarke (O. Williams 69), D. Williams (Hernandez 69).
Subs not used: None.
Goalscorer: O. Williams (88)
Yellow card: M. Murray (51 foul)
Red card: M. Murray (80 second yellow)
Referee: Ayden Gillespie
Assistants: Alexis Stacchini and Alison Wade
Attendance: 127