Shot shy Holwell beaten – but by a better team??

West Bridgford FC 3 – 0 Holwell Sports
Shot shy Holwell beaten – but by a better team??

The early exchanges seemed to show two teams in confident mood both trying to find a way to impose their play. Though West Bridgford were second in the league they did not show any major threat content to play a risky high line and offside trap. However it was Holwell who found themselves one down against the run of play after nine minutes when Ridout fouled Westcarr in the box. The skipper should be angry that he found himself conned by the experience of Westcarr into giving away such a soft penalty. Westcarr scoring from the spot.

But from the kick off Holwell nearly equalised as Mark Tindsley brought the best out of keeper Clarke throwing himself to his right to turn away Tindsley’s shot. Holwell were trying to get back on terms and on 17mins Chapman was given room on the left to send in a low cross, but neither Tindsley nor Fontoura could get on the end of it.

There followed a period of around twenty minutes where Holwell were by far the more dangerous side with the visitors unlucky on 23mins to score when Reeves sent in a long throw. The ball headed down by a defender Tindsley was again unlucky not to find the net.

Occasionally West Bridgford looked dangerous on counter attacks with Hogg and McCaughey feeding the wingers but the final ball into the box was poor and Holwell managed to clear. Though Jamie Witham in the visitor’s goal had to be sharp on 26mins as Ross McCaughley let loose.

Witham pulled off an exceptional save only minutes later as Reeves lost the ball cheaply in midfield. The home side broke quickly and Sam Hogg tried his luck from range with Witham doing very well to turn the high rising goal bound shot away for a corner. The keeper also had to be sharp from the resulting corner turning another goal bound shot away but eventually Holwell cleared their lines.
Holwell found it hard to get in behind the Bridgford defence with the forwards being caught out by the home side’s offside trap, the defence well marshalled by Captain Ventrella.

The second half continued as the first half with Holwell looking the more dangerous and playing good football but the end product was lacking, forwards were continuing to get caught offside and midfielders seemed to want to make another pass rather than try their luck with a shot at goal. In one instance the defence backed off Chris Hibbitt giving space for a shot but instead he crossed the ball which Harris watched as it sailed over his head.

Graham Wells replaced Harris and his pace started to worry the home defence. New signing Matt Hendy replaced Fontoura as Holwell started to chase the game to get something – as they certainly deserved it!

The home side were still relying on breakaways and as Holwell pushed up, eventually they managed to get the second goal on 73mins, to put some daylight between the sides Westcarr picked up the ball on the edge of the box, beat Bitmead and slotted the ball under the advancing Witham.

Holwell kept at it and two minutes later they nearly got back into the game as again Chapman sent in a good cross which fell to Matt Hendy but he couldn’t control the ball.

Though they tried Holwell just could not get back at Bridgford and Westcarr finally got his hat trick on 87mins after Holwell again lost the ball cheaply.

Hibbitt had one last chance with a header on 90mins but luck had run out for Holwell. With many heading home, scratching their heads as to how this was a three goal defeat with Holwell having so much of the play?

Holwell:- Witham, Reeves, Chapman, Bitmead, Ridout, Fontoura(Matt Hendy), Hibbitt, Stevenson, Harris(Wells), Mike Hendy, Tindsley
Subs Not Used Morris, Hazeldine