Spirited performance undone by penalties in each half!

[b]Lutterworth Athletic 2 – 0 Holwell Sports FC[/b]

Penalties in each half undo disciplined performance.

A spirited performance by Holwell was unfortunately undone by a penalty award in each half as Lutterworth Athletic took all three points.

In what has been a turbulent couple of weeks it was left to Chairman Graham Lewin to manage the side on Saturday as Holwell continue to talk to interested parties willing to take up the Manager’s post at Welby Road.

With most of Andy Gray’s cohort of players now gone and midfielder Jack Baker back at Melton Town, it was very much a make weight side on Saturday bringing in reserve players, but one that was up for the task and ready to fight for the club.

The match started pretty evenly with Holwell just shading the early encounters as first Bakrim then Ambrose came close to opening the score for the visitors within the first five minutes. Bakrim, just shooting over the bar whilst Ambrose’s goal bound shot was saved by keeper Faulkener.

As the teams vied for possession a move involving Brad Smith, Ian Bitmead and Ross Cragg might have ended more positively but again keeper Faulkener was well placed to save.

Lutterworth were beginning to show strength but Holwell’s back four were solid and on 20mins Richard Cragg in the Holwell goal had to be smart saving well at his back post whilst within a few minutes more did well to save a free kick as the home side pressed on.

Brad Smith was having a strong game in midfield along with “Baddy” Bakrim who was showing the home defence that it was not going to be an easy day.

Holwell were under a lot of pressure as the half wore on but hoped to get to the break at nil – nil but with luck not on their side in the past few weeks it was unlucky when young Jamie Gilbertson conceded a penalty right on the edge of the box on 43mins which Barnes Gladman converted sending Cragg the wrong way.

The second half was similar to the first where both teams were pretty even but Holwell were caught on 53mins as Bitmead brought down Gladman for Lutterworth’s second penalty of the match which again Gladman took extending the lead to two nil.

The rest of the half was pretty much end to end but with no great finishing Cragg brought off another point blank save on 75mins which was pretty much that as the game petered out.

Care Taker Manager Lewin was happy with the performance bearing in mind the disruption to the team but the younger reserves Gilbertson, Fenwick, Ross Cragg and Jack Anderson all put in a shift for the side when called upon, impressing some of the Senior players with their efforts.

A special mention was made for Tom Harris who returned to action after a serious injury last year showing the home defence a clean pair of heels as his trade mark speed caused problems for the twenty minutes he played in the second half.

Holwell continue their search for a new Team Manager with credible options under consideration it is hoped that an announcement will be made this week after final consultations and parties have time to consider their next steps.

Holwell: Cragg, Gilberston, Bitmead, Ridout, Betteridge, B Smith, Ambrose, Cowling, R Cragg, Fenwick(Harris), Bakrim (Anderson)