Tough test for Holwell Squad comes good in the end!

In a pre-season friendly where squad players that had not managed much game time in other friendlies Cottesmore proved to be a stern test.

In front of a decent crowd on a very hot evening both sets of players did their best to impress on the managers that they were worthy of a pace in final squads as the new season approaches.

Cottesmore went at Holwell from the off looking the more assured as Holwell had to dig deep and defend for periods of the first half but it was Holwell who took the lead early on as David Hazeldine managed to guide the ball up and over the Cottesmore keeper, a deft lob into the top corner of the net.

Play was fairly even for the rest of the half as Holwell went into the break one up.

Cottesmore came out with real intent after the break and had equalised within three minutes as Jordan Smith levelled with a strong strike from inside the box.

Holwell were a bit on edge but steadied to gain control and but for some less than convincing finishing and last ditch defending may have made this a more convincing performance.

In control for long periods of the second half the game desperately needed another goal which neither side could fashion.

However in the last ten minutes and with a couple of shuffles of the pack Holwell did get on top as Kieran Foster, pressed up front, scored twice to stretch away from Cottesmore only for Stannard to set up a nervy last few minutes for the home side as he got one back for Cottesmore in the dying minutes.

Just too late as Holwell saw it out to the final whistle winning 3-2, another decent pre-season run out for a squad developing well under Manager Andy Gray.

Up next for Holwell now is a HOME friendly Tuesday 31st July against EMCL Ashby Ivanhoe FC, KO 7:45pm which promises to be an even sterner test four days before the start of the Future Lions United Counties League, away to Raunds Town FC, Northamptonshire.