Three Wins in a row - what?

On a poor uneven surface any flowing football by either side was going to be difficult and it was the home side that started the better with a shot on the run from Brett Marvin on 5mins just passed the visitors right hand post. Holwell were quick to counter and on 7mins after J Kirkby had been up ended Michael Stevenson took the free kick and only just missed with a low shot at goal. Marvin missed another chance to open the scoring on 9mins shooting high and wide of the target.
The game settled to an end to end game and on 16mins Kirkby was put clean through with only Flinders in the Thurnby goal to beat but shot straight at the keeper. A minute later Thurnby were up the other end and nearly scored but for some frantic defending by the visitors. from this Holwell broke and Ben Smedley had another great chance to open the scoring but failed to take the chance.

It looked like goals were going to come in this match but as the half wore on and both sides battled away a clear winner was difficult to predict.

On 27 mins Andy Teare was booked following a desperate lunge on the edge of the box putting the visitors in a difficult position. Alex Johnson took the free kick and Holwell did well to defend the free kick with Michael Stevenson saving on the line.

Both teams battled away with Holwell beginning to take command and on 42mins Ian Bitmead had a great chance and should have scored but for a great one handed save by keeper Flinders but with Holwell pressurising it looked as though the visitors would finish the half the stronger and on 44mins their pressure worked off when Ben Smedley found himself in acres of space and with the keeper rushing out calmly lobbed it over him to put Holwell in front. HT 0-1

The second half started with Thurnby trying to get back on level terms but the Holwell defence again marshalled well by Snelgrove and supported by Rose, Hallows and Teare were dominant with the home side getting short shrift for their efforts. On 56 mins Thurnby had another chance to level but again put the ball wide of the post and true to how this game was progressing Holwell went straight down the other end and but for another great save by Flinders the visitors would have been two up when Stevenson Kirkby and bitmead linked up with Bitmead sure to score but for the out stretched arm of the keeper.

Again Brett Marvin had another chance to level on the hour but hit the ball straight at Richard Cragg in the visitor’s goal who was having another confident game.

As the half wore on Holwell again took charge and but for some fantastic saves by the home keeper James Flinders the final score could have been 3-0 to the visitors. One such save from sub Kieran Foster on 80mins was Premier Divan class.

Thurnby tried to get back on level terms but the way that Holwell are playing at the moment they just could not break down this confident defence epitomised by Stuart Rose’s saving tackle on Matt Melbourne on 82mins.

Holwell continued to press to the end and on 83mins should have been awarded a stone wall penalty but play was waved on by the referee.
So Holwell go three wins on the trot scoring eleven goals conceding none and look forward to a big crowd at home this Saturday against Greenwood Meadows as the home side go for the double against a side three places below them in the league.