Holwell stay calm to see out second home win in a week.

Match Report 17/04/18
Holwell Sports 3 – 1 West Bridgford FC

In a match played at a high tempo set by visitors West Bridgford this seemed to lift Holwell to move the ball about quicker attacking at pace in a match that wasn’t in doubt from pretty early on.

The visitors seemed on edge, not able to control the ball as Holwell hustled and harried defenders into early errors including a pass back to the keeper which he picked up on 5mins. A bit tough on keeper Clark as he was clearly impeded by Tinsley moments before as he tried to roll the ball out the forward seemingly nudging his throwing arm with his knee. The visitors expected a free kick but the ref waived play on causing confusion leading to the indirect free kick just inside the box. Chapman took the kick but hit the wall.

Holwell continued to press and it was Michael Stevenson that benefitted from the next individual error as he intercepted a ball out of defence from Erentz. The midfielder couldn’t believe his luck as he sped on sending a shot to the left of keeper Clark who got his hand to the ball but couldn’t keep the shot out - Holwell were in the lead.

West Bridgford were ragged committing unnecessary free kicks with Shaun Smith taking the brunt leading to a booking for defender Erentz who was clearly rattled.

The visitors had plenty runners but passing and control in the fairly strong wind was poor with attacks breaking down as they met the sturdy home defence.

Holwell nearly went further ahead on 30mins as Ambrose sent in a corner from the left, O’Grady headed on from the edge of the six yard box the ball going across goal but no takers.

Another chance on 40mins as Holwell walk the ball into the box and along the goal line but as the final pass reached Hazeldine at the front post he just couldn’t get the ball under control and keeper Clark turns it away low down to his left.

However Holwell kept the pressure up to the end of the half and were deservedly rewarded on 44mins as Chapman did well on the left wing sending the ball inside to Shaun Smith who lobbed a deft cross to the back post where David Hazeldine was on hand to tap in at the back post for his second goal in two matches.

West Bridgford had a hill to climb in the second half which got even steeper two minutes after the restart, as a mistake by keeper Clark was intercepted by Tinsley this time who got round the keeper even though he was being pulled back. The ref blew for a penalty just as Tinsley put the ball in the net and after a long debate made the home side take the penalty instead of awarding the goal. Keeper Clark was sent off then replaced as Ben Betteridge prepared to take the penalty. No mistake as Betteridge put the ball down the centre of the goal to make the score 3-0.

Holwell went into a short period of nervous play as West Bridgford tried all they could to get back into the game but continual poor decision making, poor control on the ball and slack passing meant that they didn’t really get the grip of the game needed to get them back on terms.

The visitors scored on 63 mins as Leon Suatock scored a good goal from the right side of the eighteen yard box but indiscipline meant that there was no cohesion to the ongoing West Bridgford play.

Gradually Holwell got control back to see out the match with Betteridge nearly putting gloss on the win on 86mins as his free kick from the left went all the way across goal with West Bridgford happy to see the ball go just past the back post with no Holwell forward in attendance.

A decent win for Holwell which sees them keep themselves above fellow strugglers, Ashby Ivanhoe, Borrowash Victoria, Graham St Prims and Arnold, all beaten in the midweek matches. The one shock of the night being a home win for Radcliffe Olympic beating KImberley 1-0 who Holwell play away on Saturday.

Holwell travel to play Kimberley Miners Welfare on Saturday – all travelling supporters should note that the match has been switched to Ilkeston Town’s ground, New Manor Ground, Awsworth Rd, Ilkeston DE7 8JF.

Holwell:- Witham, B Smith, Bitmead, Betteridge, Chapman, Hazeldine, O’Grady, Stevenson, Ambrose, S Smith, M Tinsley( Cragg). Subs Not Used Reek, Cowling