Radcliffe win keeps Holwell run going!

HOLWELL SPORTS 2 RADCLIFFE OLYMPIC 1

Up against the EMCL’s top form side, Holwell boss Simon Daws was without his two leading scorers Scott Mooney (suspension) and Jay Kirkby (work commitments), as well as Levi Fray (suspended) and holding midfielder Chris Hibbitt (unavailable).

Both sides took time to settle in a cautious opening, but forward Sam Bettinson’s height and touch troubled the Radcliffe centre halves from the off.

But when another Holwell attack foundered on the edge of Radcliffe’s box, a quick counter allowed the pacey Royes to get the wrong side of Ian Bitmead on halfway and race clear down the left.

Holwell’s back four had time to recover, but Royes’ excellent cross to the back post found J. Smith who cushioned a header back across goal for R. Smith to bundle in a close range header.

But with the strong belief of an in-form side, Holwell’s heads didn’t drop and midway through the half were level. Bettinson’s precise headed flick allowed Ben Smedley to spring the offside trap and race through on goal before sliding a precise finish wide of the advancing keeper Griffiths.

Holwell had another good chance when Graham Keast’s pass found Smedley who turned well to wrongfoot his man and create space and time to pick his spot, but his undercooked shot was comfortably saved.

Great play down the left between Dom Hallows, Liam Chapman and Bettinson freed Chapman whose powerful shot on the run fizzed across the goalmouth.

But Radcliffe had their chances in an even first half, Richard Cragg denying them with a brilliant save on the stroke of half-time. J. Smith cut in after a fine run and his seemed to wrong-foot Cragg who recovered well to stop.

The game’s pivotal moment came just seven minutes into the second half when Holwell again attacked down the left flank and Bettinson deservedly claimed the winner from close-range.

Bettinson then turned provider with his precise cross onto the head of Kieran Foster in front of goal, but he couldn’t generate enough power in his header.

Radcliffe slowly began to tighten their grip, but each defender contributed in turn with excellent blocks and tackles. Quick interplay and neat touches from Royes, R. Smith and sub Whitley remained a real threat, but Holwell’s teamwork and determination to preserve their lead was admirable.

The best of a fine bunch fell to Ian Bitmead seven minutes from time when his perfectly timed sliding tackle took the ball off the toe of J. Smith as he looked certain to score his second.

And in added time, Cragg rescued the points with a second cracking save, diving at full-stretch to his right to tip Royes’ fierce shot round the post.