Good Win in second Pre-season Friendly

Howell thank Barrow for the friendly match played Saturday at Wreake Valley, Comm Centre on the 3G pitch -- the only type of pitch that looks really green in the current heatwave.

Fielding a strong squad which is gelling well against a very strong EMCL outfit Barrow Town, who beat Holwell twice in the EMCL last year, Holwell started with a flourish with good movement putting Barrow on the back foot from the start.

It wasn't long before opportunities were being opened up as new signings Thompson in midfield and McGarry up front started to make things happen.

On twelve minutes the midfield opened Barrow up and Thompson scored with a good finish to give the visitors the lead.

The game ebbed and flowed till half time but Holwell were not really troubled as the defence with new signing Sam Surridge and the returning from injury, Aaron Ridout mopped up anything that Barrow conjured up. There were some decent moves made by Barrow but the whole defence moved well to cope and cover, a good sign this early in pre-season preparations.

Both teams used the subs and trialists well to combat the searing heat as the game reached the midway mark with Holwell one up.

The second half started as the first finished with Holwell controlling play. Barrow, with a much larger squad and more changes found it hard to get a real rhythm going but what did work was quickly snuffed out by Holwell's midfield who were quick to get the forwards running as Tinsley, Mc Garry and Shaun Smith set about turning the Barrow defence.

Around the hour mark it was Thompson again who run into the box only to be brought down and a soft penalty was awarded which Ben Betteridge stepped up for and dispatched, 0-2 to Holwell.

Whenever Barrow did get in dangerous positions, keeper Jamie Witham was on the spot to ensure the clean sheet with a couple of very good saves.

Whether it was the heat or rustiness, Barrow seemed to dip as the half wore on as Holwell maintained their pressure with the very fast Ross Mc Garry coming in from the right to send an unstoppable finish from inside the box past the Barrow keeper to make it three nil.

Later followed by midfielder Matt Hendey who has returned to the club slotting a fourth to put real gloss on the win and give confidence for the next friendly on Tuesday.