Holwell Sports FC
Matches
Sat 11 Aug 2018  ·  Division 1
Holwell Sports FC
Holwell Sports FC
1
2
Rushden & Higham United FC
Outcome of match turned following poor offside decision!

Outcome of match turned following poor offside decision!

Martin Rooney13 Aug 2018 - 10:55
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In what must be one of the worst offside decisions inflicted on Holwell it was clear the injustice of Rushden's equaliser affected the home side for the rest of the match!

Holwell Sports FC 1 – 2 Rushden & Higham United FC

In what must be one of the worst offside decisions to be inflicted on Holwell it was clear that the injustice of the equaliser for Rushden on the stroke of half time affected the home side for the rest of the match.

The match started well for the home side as they pressurised Rushden from the start, within six minutes a good move involving Baker and McGarry went close as Holwell swarmed over the visitors.

Holwell continued to press the play as McGarry again went close to opening the score as he met a Betteridge cross with his head, full on in the 15th minute but Rushden’s keeper Swailes managed to keep the ball out.

For Rushden their only out in the opening stages was left winger Nat Gosnal Tyler who showed his pace as he tormented Robinson, but the full back did well making him take the long way round whilst restricting crosses.

Bitmead and Ridout in the middle handled tall centre Townsend well, who was starved of service whilst the home midfield seemed to be running the show.

Ambrose had half a chance as the home side continued to press for the opener which duly came on 25mins as Baker stabbed the ball home at the back post after Ambrose and McGarry had fashioned an opening, having dug the ball out from defenders to send the ball back across goal where Baker rushed in to score.

No more than the home side deserved as the tide of play had only been one way from the start.

However, Holwell were not finishing the chances they were making as the forwards seemed hesitant in dangerous positions. Presented with a free kick in a great position on 35mins it looked as though Holwell would extend their lead only for Chapman to shoot straight into the wall.

As the half came to a close the dominance was clear but a second goal would make it more comfortable.

Then on 44mins just as it looked as though the half would finish with the home side in front Rushden moved the ball through the middle of the park. As the defence moved up Townsend was clearly in an offside position even to the extent that as he received the ball, he initially hesitated waiting for the ref to blow but with the assistant referee way behind play and the referee out of position in midfield, nothing was given! Keeper Witham like everyone else had stopped, standing up from his set position expecting play to stop as Townsend carried on to slot the ball home.

Holwell clearly wronged this proved to be the turning point in the match.

As the teams came back out it was clear the home side were rattled as within two minutes Rushden could have been three one up as first Wills then Gonal Tyler had close chances.

However it was not only the home side that were ragged the officials seemed to add to the frustration of both sides with strange decision making as poor tackles rained in all over the park with Ambrose, Thompson and Baker the target for some serious abuse. The football had become scrappy, secondary to frustration on both sides as to what was or not deemed a free kick offence in this official’s eyes.

First in the book for foul play was Rushden’s left back Duroe who went straight through Jack Baker in front of the assistant who did actually see that one! Followed by Rushden’s Townsend for dissent.

Holwell brought on Hazeldine for McGarry who had put in a strong shift to give some fresh legs in midfield as Thompson was moved further up field.

But Rushden were still dangerous and Bitmead did well to stop Gonal Tyler this time on the right conceding a corner on 74mins.

Captain James Russell took the corner swinging it deep to the far post. Witham looked as though he would deal with it but was impeded by a Rushden player and looked to have taken an outstretched arm to the face as he went for the ball which to compound Holwell’s woes went in straight in from the corner kick.

Holwell tried but could not recover as the frustration of poor official decisions took its toll, the final knife blow being Ambrose red carded after comments to the referee after the final whistle.

Unfortunately one to put down to experience, learn from whilst making the next opponents Irchester take the back lash!

Holwell: Witham, Robinson, Bitmead, Ridout, Betteridge, Baker, O’Grady, Thompson, Chapman (Hendey), McGarry (Hazeldine), Ambrose. Subs : Surridge, Stevenson, Binns

Match details

Match date

Sat 11 Aug 2018

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Division 1

League position

12
Holwell Sports FC
13
Rushden & Higham United FC
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