Hard work rewarded at Bardon

Bardon Hill 2 Holwell 3

Holwell started off brightly with a 3-5-2 formation. Inside 5mins Holwell set off strongly presurising the home defence. Scott Mooney given a good chance inside 6 mins but failed to get shot away and let defender recover.

Bardon tried to get going and on 9mins good work by Collis on the left linked well with Simmonds to make Bardon’s first real attack.

J Kirkby had the ball in the net for Holwell on 10mins but was ruled offside showing it was only a matter of time before Holwell would break through. However Bardon were imposing themselves and on 12mins a stinger of a shot from Collis was well saved by Richard Cragg. More was to follow in the next few minutes and on 16 mins the home side took the lead when after good work on the right a low cross was turned into his own net by Stuart Rose.

Holwell got back on the attack and on 19 and 21 mins Scott Mooney had two decent chances to level the score but missed the target on both occasions. The second a very good chance after another great throw in by Sam Muggleton headed on by Bitmead. Holwell’s pressure counted though and on 23mins they were awarded a penalty when Hibbitt was fouled in the box – Dom Hallows assuredly putting Holwell level at 1-1.
Play was even for the rest of the half but it came alight on 40mins when Michael Stevenson again scored a fantastic goal from 30yds which had Harris beaten all ends up.

After the break it was Holwell that came out the brighter but on 51mins the defence failed to cut out a hopeful ball forward and Blythe easily held off Muggleton to score for Bardon Hill bringing the game back level.

The game was even for the next 10mins but Holwell were beginning to get back in the game and on 63mins Mooney latched on to a throw from Foster again headed on by Bitmead Mooney's strong shot through a packed box deflecting off Fray on the way in to put the visitors back in front.

Muggleton who had taken a knock was replaced by Dean Randall and the sub was under severe pressure from Bardon Hill as they packed the right wing. Holwell were struggling to get going at this point and could have gone behind again but for a great save by Cragg from Sam Saunt. Bardon had another chance after a one two between Fray and Hebberd but a last ditch tackle by Bitmead cleared the danger.

Bardon Hill huffed and puffed for the rest of the half but could not find a way through and frustration got the better of them with Sam Saunt sent off late in the half.

Final Score 3-2 to Holwell and a good hard working team performance.