Resolute and Steadfast Holwell see off fancied Gedling.

EMCL League Cup Qtr Final – Sponsored by Jenkins & Jenkins
Holwell Sports FC 2 – 0 Gedling Miners Welfare FC

Holwell were straight on it from the start as Tinsley got an early chance seconds into the match as Holwell won the ball straight from Gedling’s kick off.

However it didn’t take much time for Gedling to wake up to the fact they were in a match with Witham having to save well and as the corner was cleared winger Joe Meakin hit a strong rising shot at goal but to Holwell’s relief it went over. Some poor communication in midfield saw Gedling win the ball back moments later and this time it was left winger Jepson who failed to punish Holwell as he missed when should have done better.

Holwell were controlling the ball well working hard with good inter-passing as O’Grady, Orton and Chapman were imposing themselves on the game.

A great move by Holwell on 18mins nearly led to the opener as Chapman and Cowling combined well to set up Tinsley but Gedling’s keeper Brown saved well.

Holwell were seeing a lot of the ball with Chapman and Reek giving their fullbacks a hard time and from a corner on the right the ball was cleared but fell to Reek centre edge of the eighteen yard box who volleyed to the right of the keeper but he pulled off a decent save to deny the youngster.

There was no doubt the first half belonged to Holwell with the action firmly in Gedling’s half but when they did manage to break out their forwards either missed badly or were caught off side by a well marshalled back line with Smith, Bitmead, Andrews and Betteridge solid as a rock at the back.

Then just as it looked as though it would be all square at the break Pele Orton was again dumped to the ground this time on the edge of the box. With two good strikers of the ball in Chapman or Betteridge over the ball it was Chapman who took the kick which beat Brown inside his right hand post with the home side going one up in the forty fifth minute.

Holwell had to summon up all their skills as Gedling tried to get back into the game after the break but Gedling’s passing was woeful on the night matched only by their poor finishing and frustration set in as they moaned and complained about every decision which went against them.

Holwell were playing a high line relying on the offside trap which was working but as the game went on and the heavy pitch took its toll the tactic could have been risky.

Gedling had brought on Sylla and Boafo to add pace up front but with Jepson they continued to waste chances due to poor final balls and repeatedly being offside.

Holwell were cruising controlling the ball well playing football when they could as Gedling began to foul all over the park.

However it was the home side who went further ahead on 67mins as a break, against the run of play, saw Kyle reek feed the ball to Mark Tinsley he saw Chapman free on the left who broke into the box at pace with the visitors trying to recover. Chapman’s shot beat Brown and looked to be going in at the back post but it came off the post only to be swept in by Mark Tinsley as it rebounded.

Gedling continued to push but didn’t really cause much concern until the last minute when Jamie Witham was called upon to make a great save from Jepson to keep the clean sheet.

A tremendous performance by Holwell to see them through to the League Cup Semi-Final. The only team there at the moment as the competition is beset by weather postponements with only this match going ahead as all other matches were called off.

Holwell:- Witham, B Smith, Bitmead, Andrews, Betteridge, Reek, Orton, O’Grady, Chapman(S Smith) Cowling, Tinsley. Not used Ambrose, Woodcock, Lowe