Holwell can take the bragging rights - after local derby cup win!!

Jelson Homes Senior Cup

Melton Town FC 1 - 3 Holwell Sports FC.

In this re-arranged County Cup Quarterfinal tie it was Holwell that emerged victorious in a cut and thrust tie well supported by the local fans.

Whilst some of the one hundred plus crowd were still taking their places it was Holwell's Chris Hibbitt who broke the deadlock with a stooping header in the fourth minute to set the visiting fans cheering.

The visitors piled forward in a breathless opening half-hour played at a suitably frenetic pace for the first meeting between the sides for six-and-a-half years, Hibbitt again found himself free at the back post as Kieran Foster whipped in a smart corner, but couldn’t repeat the trick and headed the ball downwards and wide.

Laithan Hammond tormented Melton’s shaky defence and was denied by a smart stop from former Holwell keeper Richard Cragg when played through one-on-one.

Melton seemed to be growing into the game as Jordan Stableford-Cufflin cut in sending a smart shot just over the bar.
Midway through the half, however, Holwell were awarded a penalty when Harry Calver brought down Hammond as he again threatened to break clear.

But Foster’s penalty was at a comfortable height for Cragg who made a smart save, diving low to his right, Tom Harris firing the rebound over.

Just three minutes later, though, and Holwell had their second when Joe Williams bundled in the latest of a string of corners in off his knee.

Melton had to wait for the half-hour mark for their first shot on target, but Steve Truman’s long-range effort was straight at Holwell keeper Jamie Witham.

The game continued to be remarkably open with Aaron Ridout clearing off the line from John Love’s angled shot as Melton’s threat increased, especially down the left through Jordan Cufflin-Stableford.

But with half-time approaching, Holwell made it 3-0 with a stunning effort from Hammond. His brilliant touch and turn took him past his marker in one movement before lashing a shot across Cragg into the far corner.

Yet Town gave themselves a lifeline in added time.

Ash Palfreyman’s shot from the edge of the box was heading wide until Hibbitt, standing in at centre-half, deflected it past his own keeper.

Melton brought on Alex Horobin at half-time to bolster the defence and the hosts started brightly.

They saw plenty of possession but were unable to create clear chances as Holwell looked to manage their lead and spring the counter-attack.

And it was the visitors who continued to create the more dangerous moments with Foster glancing a header just wide and Cragg having to come out bravely to deny Hammond when a backpass fell short.

Shannon Myring and Jack Baker built well from the back with some neat passing, but once again the visitors’ defence was able to easily soak up the pressure making the right blocks when needed.

Myring then did superbly to block a shot from David Hazeldine who looked a certain scorer from 10 yards after another powerful run into the box from Hammond.

Town continued to press and probe, forcing Ridout to head clear from under his own bar, but the visitors remained resolute and solid at the back.

And once more it was Cragg who was forced into serious action as the clock ticked down in a bad tempered second half, getting down well once more to save from Foster.

Holwell:- Witham, Ridout, Bitmead, Hibbitt, Foster, Stevenson, Williams(Tinsley), Chapman, Harris(Smith), Hazeldine, Hammond.
Not Used:- Cowling, Cropper, Anderson.