Holwell Back On Track

After last weekends disappointing defeat to Bardon Hill, Holwell bounced straight back in to the winning groove with Borrowash travelling back to Derby empty handed. In fact it now stands at 5 league matches since Borrowash have managed to beat Holwell, drawing 2 and losing 3 (their last three visits to Welby Road).

Daws was forced in to making one change to his starting eleven with Foster unavailable, Barnard came in as his replacement. Good news was also seen on the bench as club captain Stevenson was also named as a sub as he continues his comeback from injury.

The match started with both sides sitting next to each other in the league, separated by one point and the opening exchanges reflected this as the battled for supremacy began. Neither side could muster a clear cut chance on goal with Borrowash slightly edging possession.

This was until Holwell seized the initiative with two goals in three minutes. Firstly a free kick from Calver was headed back towards goal by Hibbitt, with Wells quickest to react and heading in to the net in front of the keeper. Two minutes later and Mooney left Borrowash defender Kellogg chasing his shadow before sending the keeper the wrong at slotting the ball neatly home.

Borrowash then rallied and began to threaten Stainsby in the Holwell goal. Holwell were guilty of conceding needless free kicks that put Randall, Rose, Ridout and Calver under pressure. Kellogg went close with a header, with Stevenson (Borrowash) and Rushby then both failing to hit the target with free kicks from dangerous areas.

Holwell managed to see out this late first half pressure despite being down to 9 men breifly when Randall and Rose clashed heads.

As the mist descended Holwell looked to kill the game off quickly in the second half but unfortunately failed to do so. In fact 20 minutes into the second half as Wells just failed to reach a through ball from Mooney a swift Borrowash counter attack resulted in them reducing the deficit with Baker firing past Stainsby.

A rejuvenated Borrowash with their tails up looked to build momentum and pressure, but just as this looked like happening a solo run by Mooney seduced Kellogg into lunging for the ball. He however only managed to bring Mooney down in the box though, giving Mooney the opportunity to score his second of the game. Mooney calmly obliged sending the keeper the wrong way again.

Holwell for a second time however failed to see the game out as Borrowash were given a lifeline with 5 minutes remaining. Rushby the beneficiary from the penalty spot after some erratic defending by Rose at the heart of the Holwell defence who was adjudged to have handled the ball, while trying to head the ball, while the ball was rolling across the ground.

A second Borrowash fightback was short lived however as 3 minutes later the Borrowash keeper and centre half collided, while under pressure from Mooney. Wells was on hand to pick up the lose ball and run the ball into the empty net.

The victory lifts Holwell above Borrowash into 14th, 9 points behind Bardon Hill who currently sit in 4th position.

Holwell are back in action on Tuesday evening this time in the Westerby Cup, away at Ellistown and Ibstock United who currently sit 5 places above, and four points of Holwell in the EMCL.

Holwell; Stainsby, Randall, Ridout, Rose, Calver, Barnard, Hibbitt, Smith, Wells, Stannard (Stevenson 70 mins), Mooney.
Subs not used; Daws, Denigan.