Oadby go to Town on Holwell!

Having shown a spirited performance against the League leaders Heanor the previous week there was a feeling of confidence that Holwell might have been able to continue where they left off the week before and actually come away with something out of this game – unfortunately not!

The form guide suggested that this would not be an easy task, Oadby having lost only two matches in ten, Holwell having only won two matches in ten but Holwell set off and attacked Oadby from the start with a good move involving Drake, Smedley, Kirkby and Stevenson out to Wallis who’s cross into the box was over hit but Kirkby had drifted offside in any case.

Oadby looked strong and needed to be on a leaden pitch which is in need of serious repair with a team including Jon Stevenson and Matt Piper both Ex First team Leicester City players. It didn’t take Oadby long to get back onto the attack and a swift move forward saw ex Holwell player Matt Moore hit the side netting on 9 mins. Holwell were holding their own and finding some crumbs in the game and a good ball through to Jay Kirkby was well controlled with Smedley presented with a chance on 12mins which Oadby keeper Shilliam did well to smother.

At the other end Oadby continued to press and Cragg did well to save from a header at a corner by Oadby’s captain Joe Laytham on 15mins. Holwell attacked Oadby again and came closest to opening the score when on 17mins Chris Hibbitt shot just passed the right hand post. Cragg was on hand to keep Oadby out with a fine save from Matt Moore on 18mins and again when Gordon got the better of Ian Bitmead a minute later.

The game was end to end in the first quarter of the match with some strong encounters on the pitch none more so than Snelgrove’s battle with Jermaine Gordon up front which saw a booking for Snelgrove after 20mins for dissent after a free kick was awarded for a high boot.

Oadby’s pressure began to tell and all the hard work by Holwell up to this point was undone when Reeve sent in an innocuous cross from a hotly disputed free kick on 22mins. Keeper Cragg came for the cross lost the flight of the ball and it dropped to Jermain Gordon to open the scoring.

Holwell picked themselves up, Hibbitt and Stevenson in the midfield were trying to get things going and Oadby were not getting things all their own way despite their stronger fitter players.

The turning point in the first half came on 39 minutes when Jay Kirkby had control of the ball in the Oadby box and was fouled by an Oadby defender. Holwell should have been awarded a penalty. Referee Whittaker waved away the Holwell protests though many around the ground felt this harsh on Holwell. Andy Teare was booked for his protests to the referee.

Going in at the break level was what Holwell deserved for their endeavour against this strong side and on this poor pitch. H T 1-0

It didn’t take Oadby long to show their determination after the break with a goal by Michael Reeve after just 49mins, breaking in from the left, sending in an unstoppable shot which Cragg had no chance with.
Holwell were well and truly up against it now as Oadby had certainly been roasted by their management at half time.

Play was pretty much one way from here on in and on 58mins Oadby extended their lead when Gordon got his second of the match heading in at the back post with a free header with Cragg routed to the spot.
It seemed the pitch began to affect Holwell more than Oadby and the visitors defence looked ragged, struggling to handle the more experienced Oadby forwards. Michael Reeve was sent away on 72mins to make it four nil to Oadby after good play by Gordon.

Holwell’s only real chance of the second half came on 74mins when great work by Smedley and Kirkby broke through the Oadby defence to lay an open goal for Stan Wallis to score. The ball took a bobble just before contact and his shot looped over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

Holwell’s abject display was compounded on 77mins when after another strong tackle on Gordon, Holwell skipper Snelgrove showed his indiscipline by kicking the ball away after a free kick was awarded, receiving a second yellow card.

Oadby continued to press and Gordon capped a good performance with his hat trick on 90 mins. FT Oadby 5 Holwell 0