Holwell's pace and fitness too good for Gedling!

From the start Holwell were in the faces of Gedling with Tindsley given a half chance to open the scoring from the very first attack shooting just over.

Holwell were strong in all departments coping best with the fast surface caused by rain before kick-off. Gedling were trying to get something going as Tom Crisp shot over from the edge of the box on 12mins.

Though Holwell were on top, it looked as though they needed slow the pace down get control of the ball on the zippy surface and play some easier passes to the front men.

However only Holwell looked likely to score and after a couple of improved moves involving Reeves on the right Holwell were awarded a free kick in a central position on 20mins after Hibbitt was bundled to the ground. Mike Stevenson took the kick which keeper Scott Miles got fully behind but due to the fast surface spilled the ball and Kieran Foster reacted quickest to chip the rebound over the keeper and open the scoring.

Gedling were struggling to live with Holwell now as all over the pitch Holwell were dominant with both full backs Reeves and Chiavetta using width to good effect, Bitmead and Ridout solid in central defence and Hibbitt, Stevenson, Hammond and Chapman winning the ball and running the show in midfield. When tested Keeper Witham showed good concentration and positioning to be in the right place for the two or three times he had to make a save.

As in previous weeks chances were being created but not finished off though visiting keeper Miles was keeping Holwell at bay and made a great recovery save from Tindsley on 31mins.

But it wasn’t long before Holwell extended their lead. Chapman and Chiavetta combined to take a short corner on the right, as Chapman sent in another pin point cross Mark Tindsley was there to nod in his first of this campaign.

Half time couldn’t come quick enough for Gedling who had to regroup during the break.

At the start of the second half Gedling did up their game, coming closest to causing Holwell any upset on 46mins as Bitmead was forced to clear off the line after good work by Gedling’s Chris Hall. For a short period Holwell had to weather a fight back but as in the first half it didn’t take long for this Gedling side to run out of steam and soon they were back to chasing shadows as Holwell’s superior fitness and pace shone through.

Holwell had a sure fire penalty turned down by referee Minesh Gupta when Chapman was completely upended in the box. Only the referee knowing why he saw something different to what everyone else did.

Rampant Holwell were using their full backs to good use as Chiavetta and Chapman combined again sending Foster away in the channel, his low cross just missed by the inrushing Tindsley - a good move by Holwell.

Not to be outdone impressive young David Reeves on the right was showing great pace and quick feet as he waltzed past three defenders to put in another quality cross on 69mins unfortunately not supported by the strikers.

However it was inevitable that Holwell would score again and Liam Chapman got his reward for hard work on 71mins when, as defenders backed away, he shot from the edge of the eighteen yard box his shot too strong for Miles to hold onto and the ball found the back of the net.

The game well and truly beyond Gedling, Holwell kept at it to the end of the match with Mark Tindsley adding sheen to a great performance by the home side scoring in the last minute to send the home fans happy with a four nil win.

Holwell:- Witham, Reeves, Chiavetta, Bitmead, Ridout, Hammond(Hendy), Hibbitt, Stevenson, Chapman, Foster (Harris), Tindsley. Subs Cropper, Morris not used.