Holwell push Basford all the way!

Basford United FC 1 - Holwell Sports FC 0

Valiant Holwell go down at Basford.

Holwell travelled to last season’s EMCL Champions Basford Utd in the FA Cup with Budweiser Extra Preliminary Round on Saturday but after a valiant attempt came away after conceding a goal mid way through the second half.

It would have been hard for any neutral watching this match to judge which of the two played at a higher level it was so tight. Holwell, playing with wind and slope advantage in the first half, should have made more of the numerous chances they created in the first 45mins. Too often their passes were over hit or over elaborate, not having anything of an advantage at half time was going to make the second half tough against a home side who relish the long ball approach on the down slope at Greenwich Avenue.

Holwell’s first chance came on 10mins when Sam Bettinson broke in between two defenders but the ball was cleared by last ditch defending. Bettinson was giving the centre backs of Basford a torrid time getting to most of the high balls into the centre first and trying to feed in Scott Mooney. Mooney was also hard at it by chasing every over hit ball in an attempt to keep the ball in play.

Michael Stevenson and Graham Keast were running the show in midfield but too often the crosses from the wings were missing the target and Basford cleared back up field.

On 22mins Stevenson twisted and turned defenders outside in before sending in a ball to Scott Mooney but the shot was stopped.

Such was Holwell’s high possession it took Basford fully 25mins before they got anywhere near the Holwell goal , Carruthers winning a corner on the right but as the cross came in Graham Wells rose to head a good clearance.

This was not a classic by any means as the wind took hold of the ball, but Holwell looked the more assured in attack though, as the half wore on Basford become more adept at controlling the ball and Stuart Rose did well with a double block to deny shots at goal on 35mins and clear the danger.

Just before half time Tyeisse Nightingale was given a clear chance to break the deadlock but sent his shot way over the bar. HT 0-0

Holwell started the second half strongly and within minutes Graham Keast did well to break into the box after good work by Graham Wells and Liam Chapman on the left, but his shot was beaten away for a corner which unfortunately came to nothing. Holwell would rue these chances as with every opportunity Basford went route one aiming for the running of Carruthers and Nightingale up front.

After a rough time of it with Ridout and Rose having to deal with long balls down the middle the opener actually came from the left on 53mins, when Hollis was allowed to come in from the left wing before passing to Nightingale who found it all too easy to progress along the eighteen yard line before feeding to Martin Carruthers. He only had to hold off Rose before planting a strong shot passed Richard Cragg in goal to the relief of the home crowd.

Try as they could Holwell went on the attack but were beaten back by strong defending. However, as the half wore on again Holwell were in the ascendancy and Basford were beginning to panic at the back. Holwell still tried hard to get something out of the game and worried the home crowd with some close efforts by Mooney and Bettinson late on but as time ran out the dream of a second match in this year’s FA Cup with Budweiser diminished.

Teams Holwell Cragg, Foster, Wells, Ridout, Rose, Keast, Hibbitt, Stevenson, Bettinson, Mooney and Chapman.
Subs not used: Tinsley, Cowling and Randall

Basford Utd:- McDonald, Boafo, Davis, Mccormack, Jones(Holt), Smith, Smith(Brothwell), Carruthers, Nightingale(Walters) and Hollis. Sub not used Kenton-Bradshaw