Cruellest injury time fluke exits Holwell from Cup.

Holwell did not deserve to lose this match which they had dominated for most of the second half and at times looked like the probable winner of this match, but were left to again rue several missed opportunities which should have changed the outcome.
The first half seemed to follow on from the stalemate of Saturday’s league encounter with no great skill on show from either side.
Holwell couldn’t take advantage of a poor ball out of goal from the Ashby keeper on 23mins as Brad Smith tried to shoot for goal but the keeper managed to hold on to his half volley.

There was a let off for Holwell on 27mins as Bitmead was called to make a last ditch clearance at the near post.

Holwell were pressing but a promising attack on 36mins broke down as the final ball to Hammond was poor. This allowed Ashby to go on the attack which swiftly moved up field ending with Sam Johnson putting the home side in front.

But to Holwell’s credit they went at Ashby from the restart and were level within a minute as Foster picked the ball out wide on the right, cut in playing a one two with Hammond then sent in a low shot which Mark Cowling turned into the net.

Holwell were the stronger of the two sides in the second half with Hammond more to the fore troubling the home back four. Tom Harris had replaced Matt Lowe after injury in the first half and as in Saturday’s match became the focus for some rough tackling by the edgy Ashby defenders.

Hammond and Foster both had decent chances which they did not take which would have put Holwell out of sight in this match and credit is due to Ashby’s keeper who was brave diving at feet to save another couple of half chances afforded to Holwell forwards.

But just as it looked as though there would be no clear winner in ninety minutes Evan Cawley broke down the left in added time and fashioned a winner which with the greatest respect looked like a sliced cross with his left foot which somehow found its way skimming off the underside of the bar onto post and in.

The cruellest way to lose this tie for Holwell who put in a decent performance but finishing in front of goal let them down again.

Holwell: Cragg, Hazeldine, Chapman, Bitmead, Woodcock, Foster, Smith, Hibbitt, Lowe(Harris), Cowling(Williams), Hammond. Not Used: Cropper, Stevenson