Holwell Stop The Rot!

A point for Holwell doesn't do a great deal to improve on their current lowly league position, however it does mean that they do not become to detached from the rest of the league.

Daws had the 'luxury' of selecting from three strikers with Stannard declared fit. Manship also started the match however he could only last 30 minutes before a recurrance of a calf injury ended his afternoon. Hallam was back after missing the midweek defeat at South Normanton.

As has been the case all season however Daws was missing the services of two more of his players. I.Wells and Chapman were both unavailable. S.Smith was also missing following his first appearance of the season in the midweek fixture, with B.Smith coming in as his replacement.

In total Holwell had 5 changes from the side that started against South Normanton, so maybe unsurprisingly it was Stapenhill who started the better and began to threaten through the direct running of their right winger.

Stapenhill took the lead after 20 minutes when Holwell failed to clear a corner, and it was Bullock who reacted quickest to rifle the ball home. This was the 6th time out of 7 league matches that Holwell have let their opponents score first.

Holwell responded positively however, and began to trouble the Stapenhill back line with Stannard, G.Wells, Hallam and Manship (before going of injured) beginning get in behind their backline.

Within 10 minutes, Holwell had equalized. Hallam dispossessing the Stapenhill left back before unselfishly squaring the ball to G.Wells leaving him to tap the ball into an empty net, after Hallam had drawn him out, leaving him stranded.

Holwell continued to press till half time but unfortunately the quality on the final ball wasn't quite good enough.

Holwell began the second half like they ended the first half, pushing forward looking to take the lead. G.Wells failed to reach a Hallam cross, Stannard tested the Stapenhill keeper with a shot from distance, before G.Wells failed to finish Holwells best chance when slipped through by Stannard.

Holwell didnt get things their own way however. Stapenhill looking dangerous on the break testing Cragg themselves, before hitting the post twice.

Mooney continued his comeback from an ankle injury replacing Stannard, while Randall replaced Holwell's latest injury victim Rose.

With the game now totally stretched both sides had chances to win it but both sides were guilty of wasting the ball in the final third.

The point leaves Holwell still in 18th position with 5 points from a possible 21. With Holwell fast approaching the quarter way mark in the league, points and league victories are becoming a must, despite the good cup runs.

Holwell travel to Anstey Nomads on Tuesday 23rd September for a League Cup fixture, before entertaining Graham Street Prims on Saturday 27th September.