Brave Holwell Beaten

In front off a healthy opening day crowd at Welby Road, Holwell were beaten by two late goals from St Andrews. Making his presence felt around the ground was the newly appointed Chairman Graham Lewin, but unfortunately his popular presence wasn't enough to inspire Holwell to an opening day victory.

After a torrid pre season that has been riddled with serious injuries to key personnel, Daws and Hatton had a thread bare squad to choose from. Mooney (ankle), Bettinson (ankle), Keast (cheekbone) were all missing after picking up injuries through pre season. Chapman and Hibbet were also missing. Ridout and Stevenson did however pass late fitness test and were able to start the game.

An Andrews side that are seen as serious contenders for the title this season made an expected quick start, and could off, and should off taken the lead after about 15 minutes. An accidental trip at the back post by Randall while trying to clear a cross lead to the penalty, but fortunately for Holwell despite Cragg going other way, the Andrews player dragged his shot harmlessly wide. The rest of the first half was much of the same. Wave after wave of attacks from the visitors who could have easily been three up at the break. Holwell however managed to keep them at bay. Randall, Rose, Ridout, and Williams all with vital blocks and last ditch tackles and when they were penetrated Cragg was on hand to make vital saves. Late in the half a goal mouth scrabble lead to the Holwell goal post being struck, before the danger being cleared off the line.

Holwell were relieved to hear the half time whistle. After a very unfortunate pre season maybe lady luck had just shone on Holwell in the first half, with the home sides only effort on goal coming from Calver, from all off 30 yards.

After a slight change to the system, Holwell came out for the second half and began to cause Andrews a few problems off the own. Stevenson, Calver, Foster and Smith began to find more space and create and openings for the forwards. Firstly Wells took too long in tying to get his right footed effort away before Stannard went close. Andrews hit back with a cross that was headed against the foot of the post before being cleared to safety. This was before Wells again got in on goal but this time his lob attempt missed the target. Efforts from Foster and Stannard followed and Holwell were now beginning to have the better off the game.

With the sun still beaming down on the Welby Road ground both sides began to make changes, with legs beginning to tire across the pitch. It was in this spell 15 minutes from time when the deadlock was broken. A corner for Andrews was headed down towards back post and managed to squirm its way over the line and into the Holwell net. It was a massive blow for Holwell and despite further changes being made they could not force the equalizer, and were then caught on the counter attack with five minutes remaining to finally the kill the game off.

In a game when many hadn't given Holwell much of chance they certainly gave one of the title favorites a fright, and made them work exceptionally hard for their victory. Despite the result Daws was happy with the effort and togetherness shown by his players, and had Holwell managed to get their noses in front it may well have just turned out differently.

Next week Holwell entertain Graham Street Prims in a FA Cup qualifying round match again at Welby Road.