Westerby Cup Exit

After failing to fulfill the fixture twice at their own venue Quorn were forced into reversing this fixture and ended up as the away side. Despite the adverse weather conditions the Welby Road playing surface was in a good playing condition for the start off the match.

Daws made one change from the weekends victory over Kimberley Miners Welfare with Keast coming straight into the starting line up with Barnard dropping to the bench. Hibbitt passed a late fitness test to resume his role in the middle of midfield.

The game started with Holwell unable to get a foothold in the game. Quorn looking to assert themselves on the match pressed high up the field, and when in possession kept the ball away from Holwell before looking to penetrate the Holwell defence.

Despite the control off possession Quorn were failing to create any real clear cut chances on the Holwell goal. Stainsby saved down to his right, before a routine save from a long range effort. Quorns' patience however was rewarded after 20 minutes when two goals in three games completely changed the complexion of the tie. Firstly Turner broke the offside trap before firing past Stainsby who despite managing to get a good hand on the shot couldn't keep it out. Minutes later Wakeling doubled Quorns lead heading in at the front post from a Brennan corner.

With 20 minutes still remaining in the first half Quorn continued to dominate possession as Holwell still struggled to fire. Half time sounded with Holwell frustrated that two lapses in concentration had handed a huge advantage to this well organised Quorn side.

As the second half began, fired up by a dressing down at half time Holwell looked to take the game to Quorn and give it a real go at getting back into the cup tie. Quorn still looking to play and keep possession began to make mistakes as it was now Holwell pressing high up the field, aided by a Welby Road surface that was beginning to cut up quite badly.

For the first ten minutes off the second half Holwell had Quorn pinned in their own half. Firstly from a Chapman free kick Ridout challenged the keeper, but the loose ball was hacked to safety with the goal gaping. Next Stannard flash a cross along the six yard box with no one able to get that decisive touch. Chapman then crossed for Mooney who just failed to make a telling connection, before the loose ball then just evaded Foster at the back post.

With Holwell enjoying their best spell of the game and goal was vital and the best chance fell to top scorer Mooney. Mooney seized on a loose pass along the Quorn back line but unfortunately when one on one with the keeper dragged his shot wide.

Having failed to make this pressure count the game effectively ended as a contest when a second yellow within five minutes of his first saw Hibbitt dismissed for two late challenges.

Barnard was introduced for Stannard with maybe a case of damage limitation now setting in. For the remaining 25 minutes the game was played at Quorns tempo as they in the end saw the match out comfortably without putting any real shine to score line.

Holwells Westerby Cup is over for another season and were left frustrated having failed to take advantage off their pressure at the start of the second half and at the manner they conceded the two goals.

Up next for Holwell is a trip to Borrowash Victoria in the EMCL on Saturday with a 3pm kick off.

Holwell; Stainsby, Calver, Rose, Ridout (booked - tackle), Chapman, Foster, Stevenson, Hibbitt (2 yellow - both tackles - dismissed), Keast, Stannard (Barnard - 70 minutes), Mooney
Subs not used - Smith, Wells, Denigan.