Holwells FA Cup Run Ends

Spalding who ran away with the UCL title last year, and who aiming for promotion again this year armed with a weekly wage budget of £3,500 proved too strong for an injury stricken Holwell side. This seasons cup exploits have taken its toll on a small Holwell squad and Harry Stannard is the latest player to suffer injury, after limping off in the second half.

With Foster ruled out through a hamstring injury Randall came in at right back. Hibbitt managed to shake of the injury sustained against Radford, and G.Wells was passed fit after recovering from his hamstring tear in the previous round against Retford.

Holwell who were looking to start as they did against Retford in the previous round, we stopped in their tracks by a rampant Spalding side in the first 25 minutes. Spalding lay siege towards the Holwell goal, and could have found themselves four goals to good, but some wasteful finishing, but even better goalkeeping from Holwell custodian Cragg kept the scores level. Cragg pulled off numerous top quality saves, and when needed his woodwork also helped him out.

Once the opening 25 mins passed, Holwell managed to finally threaten the Spalding goal with a shot from distance by I.Wells. The game then saw a massive momentum shift as Holwells belief grew. For the next 15 minutes Holwell managed to pin Spalding back in their half and could have easily taken the lead themselves had it now not been for two top quality saves from Duggan in the Spalding goal. Firstly a shot from the edge of the box by Williams, was diverted towards the other corner by G.Wells, however Duggan managed to re adjust and push the ball away for a corner. From the resulting corner Rose headed over. 5 minutes later it was a Chapman free kick that had Duggan scrambling but again he managed to push the ball to safety.

The opening goal of the game however was just around the corner and although deserving a goal from their opening 25 minute spell, Spaldings goal did come totally against the run off play. A quick break down the Spalding left from a Holwell free kick, resulted in I.Wells's attempted clearance falling straight to the Spalding winger, Waumsley who pounced and drove towards goal before teeing up Webb to tap Spalding in front.

In the opening minutes of the second half both sides had chances. First G.Wells pounced on loose back-pass but fired his effort over, and then in a similar scenario Cragg halted Waumsley.

The game then entered a lull where both sides struggled to create a clear cut chance. Spalding saw plenty of the ball but were struggling to penetrate a stubborn Holwell back line. This changed in a three minute spell however when a Cragg clearance inadvertently hit I.Wells, and despite Ridout best efforts in blocking the first attempt against post, the loose ball feel kindly to Burbeary to blast home.

A minute later, and with Holwell feeling a little sorry for themselves a deflected free kick by Thurbourne wrong footed Cragg to make it 3-0.

With Holwells hopes of an upset gone, the energy sapped out of the leg. Stannard limped off to be replaced by the returning Mooney, before a cramped up G.Wells was replaced by Calver.

Cragg again proved himself to be in fine form with a stunning one handed reaction save from another Spalding attack.

Spalding finally added a bit of gloss to the resulted when a loose ball was chased down by sub Jones and squared for fellow sub Mcque to tap home.

Holwell boarded the bus back to Welby Road and were left to reflect what might have been. Had they scored first? What if Daws had a full to pick from? Where may Holwell be with a similar budget and financial backing? This said Spalding showed their quality and why they are two leagues higher than Holwell at the moment.

Holwell are now left with the task of improving their current league position and making sure they firstly qualify for next season FA Cup as a minimum requirement. This task begins on Tuesday night away at current league leaders and league new boys South Normanton.