A three goal start too much to recover!

Holwell Sports 3 – 4 Borrowash Victoria

Try as they did to recover from this, and Holwell nearly pulled it off, the gap was too big to claw back during the second half.

Holwell started strong enough with Wells and Hazeldine chasing and pressing defenders from the start. Wells found time in the third minute to play in David Reeves on the right but though clear his return into the centre was poor and easily defended.

Holwell, set up with three centre backs Ridout, Bitmead and Woodcock but it was the visitors who made the early breakthrough on 15mins, against the run of play with another customary defensive error. Bitmead headed down a long ball towards Woodcock, the header was no way strong enough allowing Kirk Francis to seize on the loose ball. Woodcock tried to get back at the forward but somehow he managed to squeeze the ball passed Witham from a very acute angle for another embarrassing start to a match.
Borrowash started to take advantage of the way Holwell had set up with their two wingers Francis and Kabongo tormenting the exposed back three and they extended their lead on 21mins when Holwell failed to close down Kabongo as he broke in from the left. As defenders backed off allowing the forward to get towards the six yard box he unleashed a fierce shot which Witham could not stop as it rose high into the net.

Holwell were still trying to get back on terms and looked strong enough in midfield and up front but with three major players Hibbitt, Foster and Hammond suspended, Stevenson, Tindsley and Chiavetta not available the team continues to be dogged not to field the strongest eleven at the club.

The visitors extended their lead again on 35mins when Holwell failed to defend a corner from the left. As the ball came in Idris Kabongo got between the Holwell defenders to deftly head passed Witham who was rooted to his goal line.

In the run up to half time it was Hazeldine who came closest for Holwell when his cross cum shot skimmed off the top of the bar with the keeper beaten.

So the home side had a mountain to climb to get anything out of this match but credit to them as they did get in about Borrowash. Now under real pressure from Holwell the visitors started to commit fouls in dangerous areas. On 55mins after another free kick had been awarded Chapman sent in one of his raking crosses which was headed down into the path of David Hazeldine who squeezed the ball over the line from close range.

Holwell were clearly in the ascendancy with Joe Williams and Brad Smith beginning to win more in midfield. However the home side lost the pace of Wells up front as he was felled outside the box and was replaced by Tom Harris due to injury.

The introduction of Harris seemed to increase Holwell’s tempo as he started to run at the defenders committing more poor tackles. Yet another free kick was awarded on 68mins twenty yards out in the centre of the pitch. Liam Chapman strode up and scored direct from the free kick – a fightback was well and truly on and Holwell had their tails up!

It looked even better for the home side with fifteen minutes to go when Borrowash had their captain sent off for a two footed tackle on Chapman.

But just as Holwell were chasing the game they were caught out three minutes later with a sucker punch breakaway goal as Borrowash finally were able to break out of defence with a break down the right, a low cross into the box and Idris Kabongo was there to slot the ball into the net.

Holwell went right up the park from the kick off pressing the visitors again and after good work by Harris and Chapman on the left Joe Williams stole in at the back post two minutes later to score a third for Holwell.

Alas the final whistle came too soon and Holwell were left to rue giving Borrowash such a start in the first Half.

Holwell:- Witham, Ridout, Bitmead, Woodcock, Reeves, Smith, Williams, Chapman, Wells(Harris), Cowling, Hazeldine(West). Not used Cropper