Early goals kill chance of upset!

HOLWELL suffered a result as bleak as the scene at a cold, windswept Welby Road as a young Barrow side comfortably took the derby spoils.

A gusting wind spoilt hopes of a free-flowing match, and one match in six weeks perhaps left Holwell lacking sharpness as they struggled to create chances. Barrow arrived handily placed in fifth, fielding Holwell old boys Tom Cooper and Niall Prenderville, and were 2-0 up within eight minutes.

There seemed little danger from an innocuous overhit free kick from the left touchline, but as it bounced around Holwell’s goalmouth, Allen, with his back to goal, hooked the ball over his shoulder and in off the right-hand post.

Worse followed just four minutes later from another free kick, this time 30 yards out in front of goal. Richard Cragg could only parry Gray’s powerful strike and Adams nipped in unchallenged to stroke the ball past Holwell’s keeper.

The hosts were knocked out of their stride and lost their shape, particularly across the backline, while in midfield Barrow constantly hustled and harried Holwell off the ball.

Jay Kirkby had the ball in the net after 20 minutes, neatly lobbing keeper Riley after Michael Stevenson’s through ball, but the linesman had already flagged for offside. Nick Hardy had Holwell’s first shot on target, but Riley saved comfortably as Barrow seemed content to sit deeper and let Holwell try to break them down.

Kirkby almost put Ben Smedley in, but a defender took the ball off his toe at the vital moment. But Barrow looked comfortable, and continued to create chances.

Skipper Antony Snelgrove’s fine last-ditch tackle denied Adams before Coppard’s free header was hit straight at Cragg from close in.

And with virtually the last kick of the half it was 3-0 via Adams’ penalty perhaps harshly awarded for a handball against Stuart Rose.

Manager Simon Daws will have expected a reaction after half-time, but the hosts continued to struggle for fluency with the wind now behind them, even after Ian Bitmead’s introduction up front.

Snelgrove again cut out more danger after a good move between Prenderville, Whymark and Davis, and the Holwell captain made another great challenge to stop Allen’s surging run.

But with the pressure intensifying, Barrow made it four with 17 minutes left, the dangerous Whymark collecting the ball on the edge of the box and firing confidently past Cragg.

Still Holwell continued to struggle and only Cragg’s smart save prevented further damage after Whymark’s good run and pass found Allen’s run into the box.

Holwell: R. Cragg, K. Foster (I. Bitmead 55), D. Hallows, A. Snelgrove, S. Rose, Hibbitt, B. Smedley (S. Wallis 76), F. Stannard (T. Barnard 86), J. Kirkby, M. Stevenson, N. Hardy. Subs: