Holwell outgun Heather St Johns to reach final!

Holwell win through to Jelson Homes Senior Cup Final!

Steel, Grit and bucket loads of Determination saw Holwell outgun more fancied Heather St John of the Midland Football League in a compelling Senior Cup Semi-Final at Aylestone on Tuesday.

Holwell got off to a flyer as Brad Smith scored within the first minute capitalising on a lethargic defence to put Holwell in front. Timed around 42seconds it was just what the Melton side needed to settle quickly.

However there followed an onslaught as Heather St Johns were chasing the game and their higher status came to the fore as they laid siege on the Holwell goal. However to a man the Welby Road team worked their socks off staving off one attack after another trying to get that break away that would relieve the pressure.

Heather St Johns had their opportunities but stout defending and mis-firing forwards saw attempts in the 10th and 23rd minutes come and go as Witham kept Holwell in front.

Holwell’s chances were limited but up front Graham Wells and Mark Tinsley were keeping the Heather St Johns defence busy with good running. Half chance taken by Tinsley on 26mins as he tries to hook the ball over his head but keeper Ben Allison saved.
Big miss for Heather on 29mins as Nesbitt sends over a corner which goes right across the Holwell goal with no takers. Holwell hanging on with some desperate defending.

Foster wins ball on left for Holwell 32mins sends Wells away but centre half Kyro Sharpe concedes the corner. Wells gets something on corner and Holwell came close to extending their lead as the touch from Wells is cleared off the line.
Nesbitt gets on the end of the final clearance and tries his luck from 30yds but Witham gets down well to save.

Holwell were edgy and struggling to get the ball under control it needed that one bit of calmness then on 37mins Michael Stevenson controlled the ball midway in his own half. He held off strong attention from Sidibe and pushed on with good control, sending Graham Wells away down the left outstripping defender Rudd before slamming a strong shot past keeper Allsopp to put Holwell in dream land.

Heather St John were again stunned into action raising their game again to try and get something before half time which unfortunately they did on 44mins as Holwell were undone by a wicked deflection inside the six yard box off a defenders leg and the ball trickled into the back of the net for 2-1 at the break.

The second half started as it finished with Heather St Johns on top but to a man Holwell were resolute in defence Brad Smith and Liam Chapman could not progress up field to support the midfield as they were having to counter the Heather wingers whilst Ridout, Bitmead and Woodcock were immense in the middle of defence timing their tackles to perfection.
Midfield was being run by Heather’s Luke Pinnocy with some style but the final ball into the forwards didn’t seem to worry Holwell’s defence.

Tinsley had a chance on 55mins but again the keeper was well placed to save, but having lost Graham Wells to injury at half time replaced by Hazeldine chances for Holwell were becoming less and less.

Hibbitt conceded a foul against Pinnocy on the hour mark, on the edge of the box in a very dangerous position as play became ragged. Nesbitt took the free kick, his shot coming back off the wall Pinnocy shoots saved by Witham for a corner which was punched away by Witham as it came in. Holwell living on the edge now.

Heather were right back at Holwell winning a corner on the right conceded by Foster. Daniel Chapman scores with a near post header to get the equaliser for Heather St John.

But Holwell were still in this and with no substitutes the Heather St Johns players started to feel the pain of their greater efforts in having to impose on Holwell began to tell.

Holwell kept themselves in the match with steely determination, to win for each other, with Hazeldine busily hustling and disrupting play out of defence Hibbitt and Stevenson fighting in midfield and Foster and Chapman combining to deny dangerous crosses from the right winger Sidibe.

The match finished all square after 90mins but by now the Heather St Johns players were dropping with cramp and hamstring problems. Both teams contained each other in extra time with no real dangers so it was on to penalties.

Holwell’s players looked more up for this last fight that the Heather St Johns players some who seemed dead on their feet.

First to go for Holwell was Kieran Foster, with Saturdays penalty miss in mind a brave call but any doubt was unfounded as he blasted Holwell in front.

Nesbitt first for Heather but his shot comes back off the left hand post and out.

Aaron Ridout steps up great penalty Alsopp no chance.

Jake Healy next scores to restore some pride.

David Hazeldine for Holwell no problems 3-1 to Holwell now.

Man of the Match for Heather St Johns, Luke Pinnocy --- Great save by Jamie Witham all on the next penalty.

Up steps Michael Stevenson get in as Stevenson puts Holwell into the final for the first time in a generation.

Holwell winning 4-1 on penalties.

Holwell: Witham, B Smith (Harris), Ridout, Bitmead, Woodcock, Chapman, Hibbitt, Stevenson, Foster, Tinsley, Wells(Hazeldine)
Subs not used: Cropper, Cowling