Holwell grab a much needed 3 points

A first half strike by Mooney was enough to ensure GSP returned home with nothing to show again for their trip to Welby Road, and in the process lift Holwell up to 16th.

A Holwell side that is still riddled with injuries, were able to welcome back Chapman after his holiday, in place of Williams who has decided to move onto pastures new. Also coming into the starting lineup for his full debut was Denigan after he impressed in midweek, with Calver dropping to bench.

In a game where the first goal was going to be crucial Wells nearly gifted Holwell the perfect start after 4 mins when he latched on to a poor backpass however his attempted lob was well off target.

In what then become a workmanlike performance from both sides, effort was evident, but clear cut scoring chances were at a premium. Both sides in fact guilty of failing to produce any real quality in the opponents final third.

This was until the 38th minute when Mooney was sent though, and after checking back on to his right foot, he then checked back on to his left before firing the ball in to the roof of the net for his third of the season.

Holwell emerged from half time knowing that they couldnt afford to let this lead slip and in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, they could have easily ended the game as a contest.

Firstly Mooney failed to find the net for his second when slipped through one on one with the GSP goalkeeper again. This time the GSP keeper saving well with his feet. Wells then had two chances within a couple of minutes of each other. The first failing to get his shot away after a good cross from Mooney, and then the second failing to hit the target after stretching for a Hallam cross.

Mooney then shot from distance, as GSP began to threaten themselves after riding out the Holwell onslaught.

In fact it was GSP who looked the most like scoring for the remainder of the game as the pushed men forward, and the Holwell legs began to tire.

Smith, was brought on for Denigan who had, had a good full debut before tiring late in the second half.

GSP forced Cragg into several saves in order to preserve his sought after clean sheet. The closest GSP came to finding the net, was in the midst of a goal mouth scramble where first Cragg was worked, before Ridout blocked the follow up the shot. The rebound was then fired back at goal, but Cragg had recovered the save again, before the fourth rebound was crashed against the under side of the bar and finally away to safety.

Holwell were put under heavy pressure for the final 10 minutes but with Hallam, Ridout, Rose, Chapman, Randall and Hibbet defending resolutely, Holwell managed to hang on to their slender league and in the process their second league victory of the season.

The victory comes as a timely boost for Holwell as they head into a rare mid week off, before travelling to EMCL high flyers Heanor Town in the next round of the FA Vase.