Holwell lose out in Vase but show fight to the end!

Match Report Holwell Sports FC 0 – 1 Dunkirk FC

The first match in a season’s foray into the Buildbase FA Vase is always important not only for the prize money at stake but for Holwell it normally kick starts their season into gear.

This match was no different with the visitors, Dunkirk FC, in the same league as Holwell but thirteen league positions higher -- could the home side raise their game and kick start their season.

Preparation for the match had been good and another new signing in Tyler Sibson promised some strength up front, missing for the last few matches.

The match was even for the first few minutes with neither side getting into a stride but on 7mins with Dunkirk’s “Sweeper Keeper” Mitchell way out of goal Shaun Smith tried his luck with an audacious lob which went just wide – would have been a great opener.

Aaron Ridout blocked a certain goal bound shot on twelve minutes as Tom Maddison’s shot looked a winner.

The game was end to end but more kick and rush than a classic from either side but the home side were holding their own, not overawed by their lofty opponents.

Dunkirk’s keeper who committed a howler of an error on his last trip to Holwell, leading to an easy goal, was doing his best again to assist the home side when he over confidently threw the ball straight out to Holwell’s Smith. As his defence tried to understand what was going on the keeper was by now, way out of his goal on the right touchline tackling Shaun Smith in an attempt to win the ball back. Holwell were awarded a free kick but Smith wasted the ball in, the chance was gone.

Dunkirk came close to opening the score when on 24mins Warren Clarke unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the box which came crashing down from the underside of the bar and out with Lawrance well beaten. For the next ten minutes Holwell were under pressure but did well to restrict Dunkirk to long range efforts.

Holwell’s best chance again fell to Shaun Smith who was having a decent game up front. A ball through from Stevenson on the right set Smith away free on goal but as he came in from the right with time to compose himself, he tried to curl the ball round the keeper, too far out his effort went just wide of the right hand upright.

Holwell were not out of this at all and on 41mins Hazeldine took a throw on the left to Tinsley who broke into the box with defenders around him. He managed to squeeze the ball to Michael Stevenson whose chip unfortunately went agonisingly wide.

After a roasting at half time Dunkirk started at a higher tempo than earlier trying to impose themselves on Holwell from the off. As Holwell tried to deal with the early attacks they failed to clear their lines on 51mins, the ball having been cleared out to the left was picked up by Maddison who sent in a cross which saw Warren Clarke nip in between defenders to head home to put the visitors ahead.

In some matches this would have led to a capitulation by Holwell but with stern resolve the home side set about recovering from this set back.
Defending well and trying to get the upper hand up top. Holwell gave as good as they got with Stevenson and Brad Smith trying to get the forwards in on goal.

Holwell tried to freshen things up bringing Reek on for Shaun Smith and Fontoura on for Sibson. Brad Smith had a shot on goal on 78mins quickly followed by Ridout sending a ball through for Fontoura who beat the keeper but just could not control the rebound of the tackle and Dunkirk cleared the danger.

Dunkirk players were beginning to tire now, Holwell were coming back at them as again Fontoura featured when fullback Wood sent in a good cross but the header went wide.

As the minutes ticked by Holwell were trying their best to get the goal which would take the tie into extra time and with seconds left on the watch the home side won a free kick on the right. Luke Underwood sent in a great delivery which Ian Bitmead got to, heading down towards the back post where Andre Fontoura got to the ball first but his last ditch header agonisingly came back off the post with keeper Mitchell floundering to get across the goal.

No one could fault the effort put in by John Webster’s team and on another day with just a bit more luck Holwell could have been celebrating a hard fought win. Hopefully there is an impetus now to get some much needed points in the league with two home fixtures this week against Birstall on Tuesday and high flying Aylestone Park on Saturday.

Holwell:- Lawrance, Wood, Bitmead, Ridout, Hazeldine, Underwood, Stevenson(Randall), B Smith, S.Smith(Fontoura), M Tinsley, T Sibson(Reek). Not Used Black, Binns.