Mid –Table keenly contested draw!

Holwell Sports 1 - 1 Radford

As late comers were still making their way into the ground, Holwell players’ abject lack of concentration caught them cold in the very first minute, as Graham Wells, playing in an unfamiliar left back role was beaten too easily by Radford’s Joe Evans, his low cross into the box was gleefully turned into the net by Connor Carter! 0-1 1st Minute.

Fully awake now Holwell were chasing this game from the start and with some credit they did quickly start engineering chances with Hibbitt and Latham making chances for Foster but the end product eluded the forward.

Holwell were trying to make amends and looked good on the break Hammond got a shot away on 13mins but it was over the bar. The home side were beginning to get on top and their best move of the match so far came on 22mins as Hammond held the ball up well and played in David Reeves but again the shot on target was weak.

Holwell were well on top as the half wore on and Radford were leading a charmed life, the home side beginning to create some good openings. One such move saw Holwell move the ball quickly and confidently as Wells and Hammond combined to create a chance for Hammond whose chip narrowly slipped by the post.

Radford were well and truly under the cosh as Hammond was causing lots of problems for the visiting defence with keeper Dunning having to be sharp to parry another Hammond header, the shot back in from Hendy saved on the line by Karem with half a shout for a penalty as he controlled the ball.

Holwell came close again on 33mins as Hammond was fouled on the edge of the box, Chapman took the kick and Hibbitt was unlucky as Dunning turned his header away low down at his left hand post. Minutes later Hammond had the ball in the net but the referee adjudged the keeper had been fouled in the process.

This pressure had to be rewarded as Holwell’s play now was relentless. Wells burst into the box on 40mins sending in a low cross only stopped by some last ditch defending for yet another corner Radford cleared conceding two more corners in a row and Foster had hard luck as Radford were on the rack.

Holwell just couldn’t capitalise on the chances being made but they got their reward in the 45th minute just as Radford were willing the ref to blow for half time Holwell worked another corner on the right, Reeves and Chapman combined Chapman sent in a strong cross which Laithan Hammond met on the full to level the match.

Holwell started the second half in good shape, the momentum fully in their favour but Radford could not be discounted as they tried hard to break down Holwell but the early promise from Carter waned leaving the midfield with no outlet up front.
Holwell continued to play well and Campbell was closed down sending the ball into the path of Holwell’s Chapman, Wells failed to connect with his pass but the ball fell to Mike Hendy who shot just over the bar.

Holwell looked the more likely to go on and win this match as Radford were reduced to tired half-hearted strikes looking out of steam as Carter again shoots wide from a decent position.

However Radford were not done yet. Kenny Reeves replaced the jaded Carter making his presence felt for the last twenty minutes. An attack led to a free kick for the visitors, as they looked to capitalise Jamie Witham in the home goal pulled off a remarkable save from Ibrihim Karem’s goal bound shot turning it away for a corner. Minutes later Witham was yet again to keep Holwell in the match with an instinctive save on 79mins.

As the half wore on the game became stretched Fontoura coming on for Chapman but not able to influence the match, Radford were relived to go away from this keenly contested match with something.

Pity the shocking start to this match as another team are let off the hook at home! A case of two points dropped not one gained?

Holwell:- Witham, Reeves, Wells, Bitmead, Norris, Chapman(Fontoura), Hibbitt, Stevenson, Hendy, Foster, Hammond.
Not Used: Hazeldine, Tinsley, Lowe, Matt Hendy