Holwell Continue Cup Form

After last seasons run in the FA Vase, and this seasons run in the FA Cup, Holwell built on their recent cup success's and setup a tie with former EMCL side, and current NCEL leaders Heanor Town.

Daws made one change to his threadbare squad, bringing in Chapman after he recovered from his toe injury at the expense on Randall. With the news that Hazeldine has left Welby Road in search of more regular action, Daws was left with just the two substitutes to his injury ravaged side and had to adopt a new system before taking on Anstey.

Anstey started the game on the front foot, as they pushed forward and pressed the ball quickly at every opportunity as Holwell seemed to struggle to adapt to their new system. Unsurprisingly it was Anstey who took a deserved lead. A seemingly straight forward clearance for Ridout was misjudged, and as the ball bobbled past him an Anstey player was left with the simple task of squaring the ball across goal for a teammate to slide home for the opening goal.

The goal energized an already enthusiastic Anstey side, as they continued to pin Holwell back without ever really threatening the Holwell goal once more.

Holwell did however as the half progressed manage to grow into the game and begin to threaten without managhing to gain control of the match. Holwell's first threat came as Foster crossed for Stannard whose vision was unfortunately blocked by the defender as the ball came off his shoulder and bounced wide. It was then Fosters turn to spurn a golden chance. Released one on one with the goalkeeper Foster unfortunately rushed his effort as the ball flew harmlessly over the bar.

Right on half time however Anstey themselves had a golden chance to double their but fortunately for a Holwell point of view the Anstey wide man finished in the same fashion as Foster previously.

As the second half got under way Holwell stuck with their new system and finally they managed to take control of the game and in a 15 minute blitz managed to turn the game on its head. Firstly a cross field ball from Williams was met by the head of Foster, that he managed to loop over the stranded Anstey goalkeeper.

A couple minutes later and it was two. Holwells best move of the match involving Hibbett, Stevenson, Foster, Stannard who teed up I.Wells who managed to perfectly slice his shot straight into the patch of the on rushing Chapman to slot home to give Holwell the lead.

A now tired looking Nomads side were struggling to deal with a Holwell side that now had total control of the game a third wasn't long in coming. A in swinging corner from Chapman was met by the head of Hibbett who headed down into the corner of the net to give Holwell daylight between themselves and Anstey.

With the game appearing to be over the spectators were left to witness two superb individual finishes. Firslty Chapman this time provided the cross field ball for Foster to control before unleashing his shot on the angle past the Nomads goalie for his second, and Holwell's fourth from all of 20 yards.

Anstey struck back heading into injury time with a bit of individual brilliance. Allowed the opportunity to turn and run at the Holwell defence, Taylor did so before hitting a fierce shot in the top corner from 25 yards and grabbing the best goal of the match which had seen a few good ones.

The goal was in vain as Holwell saw out injury time to claim the victory and net to club another £600 in prize money.

Holwell are back to league action on Tuesday when they entertain Radford, with 3 points very much the order of the day with Holwell languishing 4th from bottom at the present time. Although early on the season due to a back log of league fixture because of their cup success Holwell generally have two games in hand on the majority of the league. In some cases four.