Holwell Upset Retford

Holwell achieved one of, if not their most historic victories on Saturday. Not only did they beat a team from a higher standard but they also netted themselves a nice £1,900 in prize money to go along with the last rounds prize money, and also for the first time in the clubs history win back to back FA Cup matches.

After a scouting opponents Retford, Daws warned his side that they faced an uphill tasked against a very good side, and they everybody needed to produce to have any chance of a positive result. Daws had the privilege of naming an unchanged side for the first time this season with new signing Hallam amongst the substitutes as well as reserve team player Heinzman.

In front a good crowd, with a brilliant following of Holwell fans, Holwell made a nervous start, conceding a free kick in the opening minute from their own kick off. This free kick seemed to settle Holwell and within the next couple of minutes they found themselves a goal up. Good work down the right from Stannard, Stevenson, and Foster led to a cross coming and being put in their own net by a Retford defender under pressure from Williams.

Ten minutes later Holwell doubled their lead. I.Wells feeding Stannard, who slipped in G.Wells before he rounded the Retford goalkeeper and slot the ball into the empty net.

25 minutes into the game and Holwell got their third. This time Chapman, and Williams linking up before finding Stannard, who then played a one, two with G.Wells on the edge of the box before slotting home for his first goal of the season.

After a dream opening 30 minutes for Holwell, Retford began to get a grip of the game and began to show their quality. Feeding the ball wide to either full back Retford began to press forward and chase a route back in the tie. Firstly a shot from distance whistled over Cragg's goal, before Cragg was forced in to a good save low to his left just before half time.

Despite the three goal advantage, Daws asked for his team to remain tight at the back but to go and try to finish the game off with a fourth, before seeing the job through professionally. Despite a few half chances falling to I.Wells, and Stevenson the fourth goal didn't come. Neither however did the Retford onslaught, despite Cragg having to make an outstanding reaction save to deny substitute Muirhead. Any ball that was played forward was easily dealt with by Hibbitt, Rose and Ridout.

G.Wells was replaced by Heinzman to make his first, first team appearance. Hazeldine replaced the tiring Stannard before Hallam made his debut coming on for Williams.

Retford did keep playing and pressing despite never really looking like get back into the game, however they were given a golden opportunity when Rose tripped a Retford centre half from a half cleared corner. Retford dispatched the penalty kick despite Cragg going the right way, but with only three minutes remaining Holwell saw it through to progress to the First Round Qualifying where they will travel to Spalding who overcame Heanor Town 1-0.

Holwell travel to Gedling Miners Welfare on Tuesday night looking to build on their FA Cup momentum and gain their second league victory of the season.