Holwell win competitive friendly.

With Holwell’s scheduled league match postponed due to Borrowash playing in the FA Vase the club took up an invite from Allexton to play a friendly on their state of the art Rubber Crumb all weather training pitch.

Holwell started well and were moving the ball around well on the unfamiliar surface but with a smooth surface passing was good and on 12mins the visitors took the lead when Michael Stevenson was upended in the box by two defenders. Graham Keast stepped up and gave the keeper no chance with a well placed penalty kick.

Allexton knew they were in a game now and tried to impose themselves on the match but still Holwell looked the more dangerous and from a corner within minutes of going ahead could have gone two up but for last ditch defending on the line.

With Scott Mooney (4 matches) and Levi Fray (3 matches) suspended for the next few weeks Manager Daws had new signing Sam Bettinson up front playing with J Kirkby to see if they can forge a working partnership and Liam Chapman was brought in to replace G Wells who was not available.

As the half wore on it was still Holwell the more effective and they had the ball in the net on 35mins when Kirkby was ruled offside. However Allexton were still dangerous and Ridout did well to save on the line when it looked a though Allexton would equalise.

Allexton were beginning to work openings down Holwell’s right side and on 43mins equalised when Jamie Mason was sent through to score. HT 1-1

It was the home side that came out more ready in the second half and Holwell found themselves going behind on 51mins when Allexton’s left winger broke in at speed sending in a low cross which was stabbed in again by Jamie Mason.

It was time for Holwell to show some resilience and class whilst capitalising on the majority of the possession they had and as they upped the pace during the second half did well to come from behind against a determined Allexton & New Parks side with goals from Jay Kirkby on the hour from a direct free kick and Graham Keast again from the penalty spot late in the game, to run out eventual winners on the day.

All in all a welcome work out on an unfamiliar surface keeping the winning momentum up ready for a tough away trip to Lutterworth Athletic next Saturday.

One piece of good news that Holwell had over the weekend was that their Jelson Senior Cup semi-final against Aylestone has been put back to Tuesday 12th MARCH now to be played at Barrow Town’s ground instead of Holmes Park with a 7.30pm kick off.