Holwell three games unbeaten but still no win!

Match Report 14/10/17 Holwell Sports FC 1 -- 1 Stapenhill FC

On Saturday Holwell were host to Stapenhill some six places above them. The home side were looking forward to a win against a team who themselves had only won three matches this season and had not won a league match since mid- September.

Early exchanges were going Stapenhill’s way as Holwell were slow to find their rhythm but Holwell’s first corner nearly saw an opener as Bitmead rose highest to glance a header just wide of the post.

Stapenhill were still the most productive but seemed to be poor in the final third of the pitch, though nearly went ahead on 14mins as Ashley Gerner let fly with a thunderbolt from twenty yards which was just inches over the bar.

The game was end to end but with little excitement, Holwell new boy Hartopp was having a quiet game not able to impose himself on the visitors back four though he nearly set the game alight on 18mins as a good move back to front saw Tinsley do well then playing in Hartopp who chipped the keeper only to see his attempt go just wide of the left hand post.

Holwell had a good opportunity two versus two on 30mins as Tyler Sibson and Mark Tinsley combined but Tinsley was adjudged offside.
Stapenhill were the better side, just with more determination and this led to their goal on 35mins. Winger Jamie Disney got the better of Wood as he tried to shepherd out a ball for a goal kick but the winger managed to keep the ball in get past Anthony Wood and progress along the bye line sending in a hopeful low cross which Daniel Garforth got to before the Holwell defenders to bundle the ball over and put Stapenhill one nil up. A poor goal by anyone’s standard!

However from the restart Holwell went straight at Stapenhill with Sibson doing well to send in a decent ball but his forwards were just not up with play and the chance was lost.

Brad Smith had a good shot on target in the 40th minute but keeper Gough did well to hold onto the ball.

As half time approached Stapenhill were in change again as Garforth hit another goal bound shot which Holwell keeper Binns did very well to save assisted by Anthony Wood clearing off the line.

Holwell got off to a better start after the break with Mark Tinsley in the thick of it getting a shot away soon after the start and winning a free kick on the edge of the box on 51mins. Tyler Sibson took the free kick but it went straight at the wall before being cleared.

The visitors had a great chance to extend their lead on 55mins when Disney sent in a high cross from the right. As Holwell’s keeper Binns came for the cross he could only flap at the ball causing it to land at the feet of left winger Nial Dawkins. Dawkins had a good chance to score but saw his shot blocked to keep Holwell in the game.

Holwell brought on Fontoura and Reek for Hazeldine and Sibson and straight away Fontoura started to bother the defence with good footwork sending a good ball inside to Stevenson who shot just over.

Things got better for Holwell in the 63rd minute when, after confronting the assistant referee, Stapenhill’s central defender Paul Furniss was sent off by referee Scott.

Holwell’s numbers started to count along with the visitors’ frustration and yet again the home crowd could sense a comeback and that so coveted match win!

Kyle Reek sent in a great cross deep into the away box where Anthony Wood did so well to get onto it at the back post but his header went wide.

Fontoura was doing well on the left and again sent in a good ball to Stevenson who let rip from twenty five yards out goal bound looked like the equaliser but somehow a glance of a defender took it inches over the bar. However as the corner came over the ball cleared out to Stevenson just outside the eighteen yard box and he volleyed this time an unstoppable shot to equalise for the home side.

Holwell pressed as much as they could for that elusive winner and on 85mins came agonisingly close as Ridout headed a free kick cross back across the box Tinsley stretched everything to get on the end of it only for a last ditch block by a defender denied the home side the win they might just have deserved on their second half efforts.

Holwell: Binns, Randall, Bitmead, Ridout, Wood(Woodcock), Hazeldine(Reek), B.Smith, Stevenson, Tinsley, Hartopp, Sibson(Fontoura) Sub not used: S.Smith, J Goddard