Holwell gear up for semi final with win at Gedling.

Match Report – 12th April
Gedling Miners Welfare 1 – 2 Holwell Sports FC

Depleted by the loss to injury of Graham Wells and G Keast unavailable, Holwell made a steady start however they nearly went behind on seven minutes when Gedling’s Jack Hopper was given a clear header at the back post but his attempt went wide of the goal. The early stages of the match saw Gedling in control on a bumpy pitch with the wind in their favour.

But for indiscipline and self mindedness of the home forwards Holwell could have found themselves behind but the visitors teamwork and passing play, began to take control and the early pressure from the home side diminished.

Gradually Holwell started to take charge and the first chance came on 20mins when Foster sent in a long cross. Mark Tinsley had a decent shot well blocked but Gedling never really cleared their lines, the visitors kept up the pressure and from an attack up the left Tinsley sent in a cross which Kieran Foster despatched well for the opening goal on 22mins.

This brought Gedling back to life but they were finding it hard to break down the visitors, against the run of play on 28mins Holwell were caught out when Ricky Law latched onto a long through ball and beat Richard Cragg as he advanced on goal levelling the score at one each. This goal being the first Holwell had conceded in over 340mins of open football.

Holwell regained control of the match and both Foster and Tinsley were seeing lots of the ball whilst up front Bettinson and Mooney were a constant threat to Gedling. Hibbitt and Stevenson were running the show in midfield with Skipper Stevenson in particular top form.
Referee Garner awarded Holwell a free kick on 41mins when Michael Stevenson was hacked down by Tony Law. Stevenson took the kick and sent in a pin point cross met on the full by Sam Bettinson and Holwell had regained the lead. HT 1-2

The second half was controlled by Holwell with hardly any worries as the visitor’s back four handled all that Gedling could throw at them whilst up front Mooney was continuing to be a thorn in the home side outrunning defenders and closing them down to limit their outlet.
Holwell continued to make chances and nearly went three one up when Chris Hibbitt crashed a shot off the post on 65mins. Bettinson had another chance on 79mins when he reacted quickest in the box after Kieran Foster had sent in a low cross.

The game was over on 82mins when Gedling had Luke Stanley sent off for denying a scoring opportunity. As Scott Mooney picked up a through ball, his control was good, as he tried to go round the defender a clumsy tackle brought Mooney down with no apparent covering defender and after consulting the linesman the red card was shown. FT 1-2

This was another assured display by Holwell, who have now gone nine games unbeaten as they prepare to meet Graham St Prims in the League cup Semi Final on Tuesday at Anstey Nomads ground.