Holwell Fail To Take Late Chances

On what is becoming a typical blustery afternoon at Eagle Valley home of Arnold Town, Holwell were on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline. The defeat further dents Holwells diminishing hopes a top 6 finish and could now cost them a place in the top 9.

Holwell under the guidance off stand in manager Keast due to the unavailability of Hatton and Daws welcomed back Hallam, and Parra-Watson from the midweek victory over Greenwood. Calver was unavailable, and Byrne was struggling with a hamstring injury.

Holwell with a strong breeze behind them in the first half looked to take the game to Arnold, but again like the seasons earlier cup match found themselves going too long to the forwards who were often helpless in trying to keep the ball in play.

It was Arnold who took the lead when Spiers swooped low to head in following a cross from the Arnold right in the 23rd minute.

Holwell continued to struggle to get on the front foot, however did equalise in the minute when Foster set Chapman through with a beautifully disguised reversed pass. Chapman then saw his cross come shot sail into the fire corner to peg Arnold back, and mean the sides went in level at half time.

Now facing a strong head wind, Holwells ability to defend and clear their lines was going to be put under serious examination. Unfortunately Holwells frailties showed 5 minutes in when Walton curled in from the edge of the box after Holwell failed to clear.

The game now became stretched as both sides exchanged blows in trying to find the games fourth goal. Stannard went close, before Foster shot wide. Parra-Watson nearly converted his first goal for the club during a goal mouth scramble from a Holwell corner but it took Holwell till the 69th minute before they found the equaliser for the second time. Hibbitt headed home from close range from a Foster corner.

Unfortunately for Holwell, Arnold again managed to penetrate their back line this time Hastings firing in from the edge of the box with 10 minutes remaining.

Keast introduced Wells for Stannard and within a couple of minutes Wells had a golden chance to level the game for a third time but unfortunately dragged his effort harmlessly wide.

Holwell had now pegged Arnold back as Wells broke through again but this time his cross was behind Mooney's run as Arnold clear. As time ticked in injury time Ridout found Foster, whose flick was met by Wells just before Cherry in the Arnold goal could get to ball and as a result he brought Wells down. Cherry however redeemed himself by saving Mooneys penalty as Holwells frustrating afternoon was compounded.

It was unfortunate that Mooney saw his penalty saved but it is fair to say that he has earned Holwell more points than he has cost in recent seasons.

Up next Holwell face two local derby's. Firstly in form Anstey are the visitors to Welby Road on Saturday 4th April before Holwell then travel to Barrow on Monday 6th April. Two very tough matches over the Easter weekend but Holwell will be keen to make sure the season doesn't end on a whimper.