Holwell get off to confident start under new manager Neil Miller

Holwell Sports FC 2 – 0 Bugbrooke St Michaels FC

As Holwell move forward after appointing Neil Miller, new First Team Manager it was a confident yet cautious start to the new manager's tenure as the home side ran out two nil winners to fellow mid table side Bugbrooke St Michaels FC.

Making his first team debut for Holwell was Ross Dunlop at right back who was confident and assured, slotting into a spot which had troubled Holwell lately but Dunlop certainly laid claim to the number two shirt with a very good performance opening the scoring on twelve minutes which calmed the nerves an settled the team as his smart volley from the edge of the box beat keeper Farrel all ends up, bringing cheers from the home support.

Also making his debut was new keeper Ben Challis who came through the game with a welcome clean sheet. Not troubled at all in the first half Challis did very well to get down to his near post early on in the second half as Bugbrooke’s Gohkan Uikel bore down on goal from the left shooting from inside the box where Challis did well to turn the goal bound shot away for a corner.

With the visitors playing with the very strong wind behind them Bugbrooke started sharply as centre Folabo Totele Agunbiade caused early problems as McGarry did well to get in a covering tackle to break up his attack on goal.

Both teams were really struggling to play any football in the very warm temperature and swirling strong winds.

However Holwell started to come more into the match and a great move involving Brad Smith from midfield to Hazeldine on the right saw him pass to O’Grady who sent in a telling cross which nearly brought the opener as defender Betts wildly sliced the ball over the bar for a corner. From the corner Holwell recovered the cleared ball as Stevenson sent in another cross. Bugbrooke thought they had cleared again but as the ball fell to the edge of the box Ross Dunlop sent in an unstoppable volley to open the score on 12mins.

Holwell were the better side now and Dunlop was involved again on 22mins as he sent Ross McGarry away down the right his centre just eluded Matt Hendey as he came in from the left at the back post. Another chance fell to Holwell as McGarry and O’Grady combined to send the ball into the middle but this time Boatang just got to the ball to clear with Hendey in close attendance.

Mc Garry was causing problems with his speed when on the half hour only a last ditch interception by Boatang turned his centre away for a corner. Holwell again maintained the pressure as McGarry got a shot away from inside the box only for Betts to turn it away for yet another corner. As Betteridge’s cross came in Connor O’Grady thought he had scored but a point blank save by Farrel denied the forward – a good save by the keeper!

Challis was handling well in the Holwell goal with good long range kicks into the wind as Holwell finished the half strongly with Michael Stevenson running midfield sending a peach of a cross field pass out to O’Grady on the right as the home side went in one nil to the good at the break.

Bugbrooke came out after the break, looking to recover the deficit and for a period of time early in the second half caused the home side to defend as they struggled to keep control of the ball, but the back four remained solid with Bitmead and Ridout handling all that was thrown at them.

Challis was using the wind to good effect as long balls out of goal into the heart of the visitors defence were causing them real issues as Boatang was booked after another panic tackle. Mc Garry was finding space also, clean through on goal on the hour from a pass into the right channel by Dunlop, but his shot was straight at the keeper when it looked as though Holwell would extend their lead.

From this Bugbrooke advanced up field with Uikel given another opportunity to level but his shot went across goal missing the back post for a goal kick.

Holwell then lost Brad Smith to a knee injury bringing on Tom Harris who opened up the defence minutes later with a strong run and good move from centre left poking the ball forward but Ling and Farrel got themselves in a muddle as they left the ball for each other. This allowed the quick thinking Connor O’Grady to get in between them as he deftly nut-megged the advancing keeper then followed his shot into the empty net to seal the game for Holwell.

Holwell managed the game from here on in to secure all three much needed points just what the new management team had requested with a clean sheet a bonus.

Holwell make the trek to Huntingdon Town FC next week looking to capitalise on a new feel good factor running through the side.

Holwell: Challis, Dunlop, Bitmead, Ridout, Betteridge, Hazeldine, Smith (Harris), Stevenson, Hendey (Cowling), McGarry, O’Grady. Subs not used: Gilbertson, Cragg