Defensive frailties again dog Holwell.

Blaby and Whetstone Athletic 3 – 0 Holwell Sports

The visitors set up to frustrate and deny their high flying rivals and for the whole of the first half that is exactly what they did putting in a much disciplined performance. Uneasy to watch for travelling supporters as wave after wave of Blaby attacks rained on the defence but to a man, the visitors showed steely determination in not panicking under such severe pressure.

Blaby were camped in the Holwell half, any clearances out from the visitors’ goal broke down up the park as the Holwell forwards were well martialled by the strong Blaby defence.

Only stout defending and poor Blaby finishing kept the score at nil nil at the break – was another upset on the cards?

The short answer to that was no as Blaby attacked the Holwell goal from the restart and within a minute as the ball was loose in the box Bitmead was adjudged to have used a high foot on the Blaby captain. Harsh though it was it would have been a free kick anywhere else on the field. James Ireland took the kick and all the hard work of the first half was undone on 46mins.

Holwell had to chase the game now and at last started to get in about the home midfield and defence as Foster was presented with a chance on 55mins but his shot went just over.

But the game was won by a brace from Dan Henfrey on 60 and 63mins, the game effectively killed off as far as Holwell were concerned.

Failing to defend a corner the ball went out to Ireland who chipped in a hopeful shot from twelve yards, Jamie Witham did well to get his finger tips to it turning the ball onto the cross bar but Henfrey was on hand to react quickest to the rebound heading in for number two.

Then two minutes later a poor ball out of defence by keeper Witham was beaten down by Blaby near the half way line. Chiavetta and Chapman just could not match the pace of the Blaby winger who sent in a low cross to Henfrey who beat Woodcock before sending his shot past Witham.

Holwell were the frustrated party now and play became edgy, hurried but not enough to trouble Blaby.

The game was marred by Holwell’s third sending off in three matches as ill-discipline got the better of Laithan Hammond who saw red for violent conduct midway through the second half.

Holwell:- Witham, Ridout, Chapman, Bitmead, Woodcock, Fontoura(Reeves), Hibbitt, Foster, Wells, Hammond, Hazeldine(Chiavetta). Sub not Used:- Harris