Kimberley 3 Holwell 0

Holwell are no strangers to opening day defeats as since the EMCLs formation in 2008-2009 Holwell haven’t won on the opening day, drawing 3, and losing 5.

With many new faces up Welby Road Daws handed full league debuts to three faces, with Marshall, Cropson and Joachim all coming into the line-up. On a hot sunny afternoon in Nottingham Holwell started brightly and dominated the opening 20 minutes with Kimberley unable to get out of their own half. Holwell however couldn’t muster a clear goal scoring opportunity and only tested the Kimberley keeper from set pieces and from distance.

Apart from not scoring the only sour note for Holwell was Cropson limping of with an injury to be replaced by the returning Bitmead.
In the 21st minute however with virtually Kimberleys first attack they broke the deadlock. Smith gave Miners the lead heading in at the back stick following a cross from the right hand side.

Five minutes later and Kimberley were now in full stride after King’s opportunistic strike doubled their advantage. King spotting Stainsby off his line before lobbing him from all off 35/40 yards up the steep Kimberley slope.

After this five minute double Kimberley began to pin Holwell back and took charge for the remainder of the half with Kimberley now winning battles all over the field.

HT 2-0

Holwell emerged after half time, refreshed and assumed control of the game, if not the scoreline. Holwell began to push forward looking for their opening goal. This momentum however only lasted six minutes as Kimberley struck for a third time. A mix up between Ridout and Stainsby allowed Slawson to nip and tap into the empty net.

3-0 and Kimberley now switched into game management, Holwell pushed forward and finally began to knock quite hard on the Kimberley door.

Firstly a flick from Joachim gave Foster the chance to shoot at goal but he sent his effort over. Wells turned his marker shortly after but saw his effort saved and parried to the feet of Foster who then squared for Joachim who the saw his goal bound effort also saved by the now busy Kimberley keeper.

Foster again saw one of his effort fly over the crossbar before Wells worked the keeper again from distance.
Holwell introduced Stannard and Corkett for his debut in the second half and continued to press as Hibbitt saw his header fly over the bar before Foster again failed to hit the target.

With the afternoon starting full of hope and optimism Holwell must now dust themselves down and regroup for the trip to Ellistown next weekend for the FA Cup tie, knowing that improvement is required across the field.

Holwell; Stainsby, Smith (Stannard 65 mins) Ridout, Stevenson, Marshall, Foster, Hibbitt, Cropson (Bitmead 15 minutes), Joachim, Wells (Corkett 70 minutes)
Subs not used; Hallam