Holwell the victors in epic cup tie!

Holwell were the victors in this epic cup tie played in front of more than 100 at Welby Road. In a first half littered with some dubious finishing by both sides honours were even at half time. The game started with a quick pace and both teams taking some time to size each other up in a nervy first twenty minutes. Holwell had stood off as if giving their higher ranked opponents too much respect.

It was Quorn that were first to show with a good chance to go in front very early on but last ditch defending cleared the danger. It wasn’t long before Holwell were also presented with a chance as the ball played pin ball in the visitors defence but as it fell to Mooney his shot went wide of the target.

Holwell were solid at the back with the defence marshalled well by Aaron Ridout supported by Rose and Wells, whilst Keast, Stevenson and Hibbitt probed in midfield setting up Bettinson and Mooney up front who both put in a full shift trying to break down the visitors defence.

It was Holwell that were making the big breaks and on 30mins Scott Mooney was given a good chance to score but again failed to hit the target. Within minutes Holwell were back on the attack and Mooney pressurised Quorn’s Prenderville into a mistake, the ball being slipped out to Keast who broke in from the left before sending his shot into the side netting.

But in an even half it was Quorn who had a great chance to go in at the break ahead when Bettinson fouled Prenderville right on the edge of the box but failed to break the deadlock. HT 0-0

It was Holwell who came out of the blocks quickest in the second half stunning Quorn in the 47th minute as Michael Stevenson latched onto a through ball beat a defender before expertly curling the ball round Keeper Turner to put the home side ahead in front of a large how support.

As is normally the case in tense affairs such as this it is often the at this point having gone in front that a team becomes nervy and becomes vulnerable to a fast response but Holwell held on under severe pressure. However on 59mins Holwell failed to clear their lines and as the ball was moved around the box Liam Reid took his chance and levelled the tie at 1-1.

Quorn had changed Prenderville for Whymark at half time and now Holwell took the chance to change things taking off Foster who had only passed a fitness before the game for Tom Williams to shore up the defence. Graham Wells was moved into midfield and Holwell were back to strength again.

Though Quorn were looking dangerous at times it was till Holwell with Bettinson and Mooney working hard up front that looked the more dangerous and making chances and on 87mins Mooney looked to be on his way to wrap things up but again missed the target, which could have been costly as Quorns’ No 7 Brennan was given an equally good opportunity when Rose failed to connect properly with a header back to goal and the forward hit the bar when it looked like curtains for Howell.

But Holwell still moved on and as the game approached extra time – literally with the last kick of the ball in normal time Michael Turner in the visitors goal brought of a magnificent save from Mooney.
With legs very weary now the teams moved into extra time both looked as though they had run out of steam and in the first fifteen minutes there were no real chances for either side.

The game was anyone’s for the taking but Holwell did not want the match to go to a replay and kept plugging away whereas Quorn looked happy to see time out. Holwell kept pressing down the left and Mooney who had put in a great shift for Holwell set off down the wing before sending in a centre which Hibbitt picked up but his shot just went wide of the right hand post.

Holwell kept pressing and finally got their reward on 115mins when Sam Bettinson put the tie beyond Quorn with a speculative shot whilst on the ground which some how eluded keeper Turner to the delight of the home crowd.

A great end to a hard fought tie which could have gone either way. Holwell winning 2-1 after extra time.

Holwell will face Thurnby Nirvana at home on Saturday 21st September in the next round.