Holwell fight back from three nil down to earn spirited draw!

Holwell Sports FC 3 – 3 St Andrews FC

With Manager Andy Gray showing a level of dignity not reciprocated by some players he criticised last week and ominous by their absence, thus seemingly vindicating his comments. The Manager and his assistant Rich Armstrong took the side for the last time on Saturday as they at least understood it was important to give the side and club something in return as the Committee now wrestle to stabilise the club starting yet another search for a First Team Manager.

Holwell fielded a decent enough squad one that would at least compete with a St Andrews side itself struggling to get going in this campaign.

The start was edgy with both sides vying for control but the visitors were just edging it with more of the ball.

The opener came on 18mins as an innocuous cross from the left, which Cragg may have dealt with, was allowed to go to the back post where Hodgkinson did well to keep the ball in play heading it down for Sam Gent to shoot through a group of players.

However Holwell tried to get back on level terms and were unlucky two minutes later when Bitmead just failed to connect with the ball under the posts from a corner.

On 24mins Jamie Gilberston sent in a telling cross from the right which Connor O’Grady just failed to connect with another half chance could have levelled the score.

St Andrews McLean closely monitored by Gilberston, did well to get in a long cross to the back post again from the left this time cleared by Ben Betteridge for a corner.

St Andrews were on top now as the home side fought to stem the tide as Cragg kept them in the game with a great tip over the bar from a strong Lewis Turland free kick centre of the park twenty five yards out.

But it was the visitors that were stronger in the tackle and quicker to the ball as Gent scored his second on 33mins to make it 2-0 with a well taken goal from the edge of the box which left Cragg with no chance.

Courtney Meade was running the show now as his strong runs and physicality was causing the back four problems and when left back Lewis McLean sent in another cross from the left St Andrews went three up as Meade scored easily on 38mins.

But Holwell were still in with a chance as a free kick from Betteridge was just tipped over by St Andrews keeper Jamie Aikiens on 42mins before Mark Cowling finished off a great move with a tap in on the stroke of half time to give Holwell a much needed lift and hope going into the break.

Holwell had a steady start to the second half but as the first it was St Andrews that were forcing the pace with some poor finishing the only thing stopping them from extending their lead.

Holwell had resorted to trying to catch out the visitors back four as they pushed up with long balls and it was game on when on 55mins Ambrose broke the offside trap to advance unattended rounding keeper Aikiens to reduce the deficit to one.

St Andrews then proceeded to give the home side a point at least on 67mins when centre back Ayoola tangled with Bitmead in the box as he retaliated following Bitmead’s tackle.

There followed a fairly lengthy delay as referee Giles consulted his assistant, finally deciding that though Bitmead had fouled Ayoola, in retaliating by kicking an opponent to the ground in the six yard box, the result was a red card for Ayoola a yellow card for Bitmead and a penalty to Holwell.

Ben Betteridge did well to keep his focus after such a lengthy delay but duly dispatched the penalty to bring Holwell level.

St Andrews were incensed but the officials were correct in their actions and the continued complaints from the visitor’s team manager Trevor Wiltshire led to him being sent from the dugout.

The visitors did manage to steady the ship and still looked dangerous every time Meade got hold of the ball but they went away with only one point rueing missed chances and the sending off which allowed Holwell to pick up a well-deserved point bearing in mind what had transpired in the week.

It is now up to the Committee again to find another manager in time for next week’s away fixture at Lutterworth Athletic as the squad is likely to be further depleted by players, loyal to Andy Gray from Leicester leave to find clubs in their own locality.

Holwell: Cragg, Gilbertson, Bitmead, Ridout (Bakrim), Stevenson, B Smith, O’Grady, Cowling, Hazeldine, Ambrose. Sub not used Harris.