Crosby nips in to spoil Holwell's gritty performance!

Holwell 0 – 1 South Normanton

Holwell started well with a good early cross from Chapman which nearly caught out keeper Mansfield and this was quickly followed by hard luck as with their first free kick Holwell had the South Normanton defence looking at each other as the cross from Chapman found Tinsley and Hammond but as they both went for the same ball the moment was lost.

Holwell kept up their early pressure as Tinsley latched into a loose ball, he managed to control it turn and cross where Wells managed to get a shot away but was just off target as the ball cracked against the angle of post and crossbar.

The high flying visitors now knew they were in a game and it was not going to be the stroll they thought. Captain Roberts was urging his men to switch on and the visitors started to break from midfield. Hammond did well for Holwell when he blocked two goal mouth shots from Lee Fell on the edge of the box.

Holwell were seeing some reward for hitting long balls over the defence with Wells and Tinsley ready to run into the channels.
The first clear chance of the match came on 20mins when the bustling Luke Crosby hit a shot from 15yards but it sailed over the bar.
Hibbitt came close with a header from a Cropper free kick on 21mins.

Holwell were more than holding their own in this match with some good accurate long Crossfield balls from Hibbitt and Foster finding Wells and Tinsley in channels.

Holwell came under severe pressure on 32mins as Hibbitt fouled Bartley in a central position. South Normanton captain Roberts looked ready to open the scoring but fired his shot way over the bar.

Great save from Witham as McEvoy lets fly from 18yards keeping Holwell in it.

41mins Wells failed to take advantage of a good opening – half a chance to put Holwell in at the break one up?

South Normanton came out looking intent as if with a point to prove as Crosby took a shot on 49mins which went a bit close for comfort.Holwell were let off the hook on 52mins as Roberts sends in a shot which skimmed the crossbar.

Foster found himself with half a chance a minute later but shot over the bar as the home side looked to impose themselves on the visitors.

Jamie Witham pulled off another great save as the defence allow a ball through to Bartley. Witham at full stretch to turn the ball away for a corner as this looked like the opener.

Foster was caught offside again breaking down a positive move and this free kick gave the advantage back to South Normanton. The free kick finding winger Bartley on the right and as he sent in a cross Luke Crosby was there to glance a header passed Witham. A bad goal to lose from a promising attack.

There was nothing in it between the teams to the end of the match. Tough luck on Holwell this was one of their best displays of the season and gives some promise of better times ahead.

Holwell: Witham, Reeves, Cropper(Woodcock), Bitmead, Morris, Foster, Hibbitt, Hammond, Chapman(Stevenson), Tinsley(Fontoura), Wells. Subs Not Used Hazeldine, Williams.