Holwell Bring Back A Point

Holwell travelled to Stapenhill looking to get their league form back on track after the disappointing defeat to Blaby in the week, and were welcomed by the worst playing surface witnessed so far this season.

Unsurprisingly Daws was forced into changing his starting eleven as has become common theme this season, with Anderson, Wilding and Chapman unavailable. In to the starting eleven in their places came Calver, Ridout and new signing Seward.

The game started and set the tone for the rest of the match. On a bobbly pitch both teams attempts to play football was hampered and physical battle followed with both teams willing to put the ball in the right areas and then pressure their opponents into a mistake.

Daws unfortunately had to again re shuffle his pack when G.Wells was forced of with a groin injury, after stretching for a flick on by Hibbit. Seward was pushed further forward to join Mooney, with Randall moving to right midfield, and Samuel Daws slotting in at right back.

As the first half progressed, goal mouth action was at a premium with mooney managing to carve out a couple of half chances for himself and Barnard with an effort from range. Stapenhill were looking to get the ball to their tricky widemen but they were kept pretty quite by Daws and Calver.

Half time came a went with Holwells main task of keeping a clean sheet, being 45 minutes nearer. With Stapenhill looking dangerous without ever really threatening Cragg in the Holwell, Mooney gave Holwell a morale boosting goal. After a defensive mix up between the Stapenhill keeper and his centre halves, Mooney latched onto to loose ball, jinked inside the covering defender and firing past the Stapenhill keeper, who again probably didn't do himself any justice in failing to stop Mooney's effort.

With a lead to protect now, Holwell became stubborn, limiting any space for the Stapenhill and forwards, but also played their best football of the game on the counter attack with a bit more confidence in their sails now.

This was until the 77th minute when from a Cragg kick a Stapenhill forward was allowed to header the ball, and then regain control of the ball, without being challenged. He then fed his right midfielder who was allowed time and space to deliver what was an over hit cross. Luckily for him the cross found his left midfielder who again was allowed time to tee up Carvell, who sent a curling effort into the far corner.

For a Holwell team that had been defensively stubborn for the previous 77 minute it was disappointing goal to concede.

With a draw now looking like the most probable result, with 5 minutes remaining Holwell were given a golden chance to regain the lead. Mooney was fouled in the box and the referee awarded a penalty for Holwell. With Mooney receiving treatment following the challenge he was forced of the pitch, only to rejoin at the next phase of play.

The responsibility was passed to I.Wells, but unfortunately he dragged his effort wide of the keepers left hand post. This was to be the last chance for either side and the match ending in a 1-1 draw for the 3rd time in 4 league matches in the past seasons.

The game did however end on a sour note when a horrible challenge was made on Daws after the ball had been played. The challenge went unpunished by the referee who opted to blow for the final whistle instead.

On Tuesday evening Holwell entertain Ashby Ivanhoe, looking to improve what has so far been a poor home league campaign, but also build on the point earned at Stapenhill.

Holwell Team; Cragg, Randall, Rose, Ridout, Calver, Seward, I.Wells, Hibbitt, Barnard, Mooney, G.Wells (S.Daws 20mins)
Subs not used; Hatton, Denigan
Booked; Rose, Calver, Mooney.