Thats Blaby done - who's next in great run of form?

Blaby & Whetstone 1 – 2 Holwell Sports FC

Holwell seal sixth league win on trot with two goals from Michael Stevenson.

Holwell travelled to third place Blaby on Saturday and recorded their sixth league win in a row continuing a remarkable run that has seen them unbeaten since the beginning of the year.

To an extent the pressure is off Holwell when they play these higher placed clubs who should on form be able to handle a team like Holwell. However on Saturday it was plain to see who was under pressure and Blaby did not look comfortable against in form Holwell as it showed in their disjointed performance, frustration and overall sluggish play from the start.

Though Stuart Rose did well to clear off the line in 3mins Blaby, though on top for spells, didn’t seem to have the answer to the Holwell back four. Blaby were muscling their way through the midfield trying to support Gordon and Reed up front but Holwell stood their ground well. However they eventually went behind on 21mins when a shot by Gordon was beaten out by Richard Cragg only to be fired back in by Liam Reed to put Blaby 1-0 up.

In what was an even first half Holwell battled well up the slope and coped well with the aggressive Blaby tactics but were soon having to re-shape on 25mins as Graham Keast suffered a dead leg in a poor tackle by Orton and had to be replaced by Chris Hibbitt.

Blaby were finding space down Holwell’s right and Ryan Hawker was sent away on 32mins but failed to take the chance presented.

As half time approached Hibbitt was again fouled and from the free kick the Blaby defence seemed all at sea. Sam Bettinson managed to nod the ball forward for Michael Stevenson to stab the ball home from 6 yards and level the score. Stevenson actually had an even easier chance to put Holwell in front before the break but his shot went over the bar with the goal open. HT 1-1

Stevenson found himself with another chance just after the break but this time his volley did not hit the target. As Blaby attacked up the slope their first attack saw the ball crossed into the middle for Gordon and as Cragg claimed the ball it seemed that Gordon became involved with Holwell defenders. As the officials consulted each other and Stuart Rose received attention the referee showed the Red Card to Blaby skipper Germaine Gordon, incensing the home supporters at the back of the goal.

Frustration got the better of Blaby after this and Holwell pressed on with good work by Chapman on the left and Bettinson up front. However on 68mins Bettinson who had taken some big knocks all match had to be replaced by Jay Kirkby after another bad tackle by a Blaby defender.
Another pair of fresh legs was sent on by manager Daws when Smedley was replaced by J Simpson and the visitors looked more assured and the team likely to score again. Blaby had Reed playing on his own up front and though he gave Holwell something to think about with his pace and skill the final touches went astray.

Holwell kept pushing and as the visiting supporters were prepared to accept a draw, on 80 mins the ball broke into the Blaby box but the defenders failed to clear their lines and as the ball fell to Michael Stevenson at the back post he had the easiest tap in of his life to put Holwell two one up.

It was too late for Blaby to recover from this and though under severe Blaby pressure, with Richard Cragg pulling off yet another amazing reaction save in the very last minute, Holwell saw out the match to continue this amazing run of form with eighteen points out of eighteen lifting them to seventh in the League.