Errors undo Holwell’s good early work.

Tom Harris opened up Holwell’s account in 10mins after Radcliffe’s keeper Dunn, flapped at a cross from the right. Radcliffe just could not clear the resultant corner with Dunn having to make two point blank saves but his second stop spilled to Harris who found the back of the net.
Everything looked to be going to plan as Holwell dominated for the first 35mins of the match and at that point should have been out of sight of the visitors with chances falling to Wells and new signing Fontura.
Radcliffe took all of this time to try and string something together but their back four were by far the busiest of the two teams with Keeper Dunn keeping the visitors in the match.
Holwell had to keep their concentration at the back though, as Liam Smallwood caught Holwell keeper Witham off his line, relieved to see the ball strike the bar as it dropped over his head.
However on 37mins Holwell failed to control a ball they played out from the back up the right wing, as the ball was sent forward, Ryan Perkins intercepted then played in Radcliffe’s Jack Smith who beat Witham from close range to level the match.
As if Witham had not taken note he was beaten again, off his line, on 40mins with a chip from the edge of the box to the back post by Jack Smith to put the visitors in front 2-1.
Holwell rallied and Harris had the ball in the net again but the goal was disallowed as Bitmead impeded the keeper’s line of sight whilst in an offside position.
It was difficult to comprehend how after such a strong start the home side were now chasing the game at half time.
Holwell just couldn’t get going in the second half, scrappy was the best way to describe the second half as midfield distribution was poor. Fontura was booked for frustrated niggly fouls and it seemed as though the home side were really missing the Hibbitt, Foster and Tindsley, unavailable due to holidays.
It was Radcliffe that looked the more dangerous as the half wore on as Ryan Smith replaced the injured Perkins in midfield. It didn’t take long for Smith to get his name on the score sheet on 72mins, as Holwell’s Chapman sold his keeper short with a poor back pass, Smith reacted quicker and easily went round Witham to put the game beyond Holwell.
Holwell’s lack of concentration was evident again on 84mins as Witham capped a performance to forget when he spilled an innocuous shot from Yeomans into the path of Ryan Smith who scored to make it a flattering 4-1 win.
Not the start to this year’s league campaign Holwell wanted but there were signs of good movement and real speed in attack where Tom Harris did really well with a strong showing of intelligent wing play, running at defenders when he could.
Fontura also looks a good addition as his pace gave problems down the right flank, linking well with new full back David Reeves.
The home defence were strong with Ridout and Bitmead working well together in the centre but a lack of concentration led to three goals from a team that looked there for the taking after the first half an hour.