A great start to UCL Div1 by Holwell!

Raunds FC 1 – 2 Holwell Sports FC

Holwell travelled deep into Northants for their first UCL match away to Raunds Town FC and came away with all that you want on opening day a win and three points.

Raunds finished fourth in this league last year so it was a daunting task for this relatively new squad assembled by Andy Gray as Holwell headed for their first UCL fixture.

Confidence grew from the start however as the visitors took the game to Raunds setting them onto the back foot from the off.

The home defence could not cope with the early pressure when Holwell took the lead on 5mins through midfielder Harry Thompson. The ball had been worked quickly through midfield to Baker on the right his ball into the box was blocked coming out to Thompson who with back to goal volleyed strongly, the ball ending up in the left side of the goal with keeper Collett given no chance.

Holwell were quicker to the ball and tight in defence dealing with the pace of Bass and Mandson up front for the home side.

A chance for Ambrose to increase the score went missing as he lofted the ball over the bar after good work by Ross McGarry another new signing by Holwell.

Holwell were pressing play well with pace and direct running but chances were going amiss as Ambrose, Hazeldine and McGarry were presented with good opportunities but somehow they failed to pull the trigger going to one player too many where a shot would have been on.

Raunds were relying on the pace of the front pair as Bitmead was adjudged to have pulled back Bass. Holwell dealt with the free kick before attacking and earning their own free kick in a dangerous position as Hawkins overstretched in a tackle up ending Jack Baker. Raunds defended the free kick and sent the forwards after a long ball which was again dealt with and another attack started which ended with a cheap error by Ambrose allowing Raunds to catch Holwell pushing on as Dalitso Mandson out run the Holwell defence on 31mins to equalise.

Holwell got back to task and continued to dominate play though the missed chances to stretch their lead was something that needed addressing at the break as heads had started to drop.

The half finished, with another chance going begging as O’Connor tried his best to get on the end of a smart chip to the back post by Baker but off balance his header was easily saved by the keeper.

Holwell came out after the break with renewed vigour straight into the box from the kick off as keeper Collett brought down Hazeldine. Penalty awarded wit Ben Betteridge taking the penalty leaving Collett with no chance as he thundered his shot down the middle of the goal for Holwell to go in front on 46mins.

There followed a long period where Holwell were in total control good movement up front by Ambrose and McGarry as Thompson, Baker, O’Connor run the midfield, Bitmead and Stevenson mopped up everything at the back sharp in tackle bringing the ball out of defence well with the full backs Robinson and Betteridge finding it more easy to move forward.

The home defence struggled for most of the second half as Holwell controlled and managed the game well with Liam Ambrose outstanding up front in the second half as he harried the defence used his body to good effect to shield and hold up the ball intelligently for others.
Though the result looked assured not having that killer third goal meant that Manager Gray only changed Hazeldine for Mark Tinsley who also gave the home side something to think about as he outrun defenders.

Holwell came close to securing a third in the last minute as Tinsley picked up the ball in left midfield he outstripped defender McInelly laying off a great ball to Jack Baker but he failed to make the chance count.

It was a great start to their UCL campaign well worth the one hundred or so miles round trip!

Holwell are at home next week to Rushden & Higham and will look to continue where they left off!

Holwell: Witham, Robinson, Bitmead, Stevenson, Betteridge, Baker, Thompson, Hazeldine (Tinsley), Ambrose, McGarry. Sub Not used, S Smith