Holwell falter at Anstey but performance gives confidence.

Anstey Nomads FC 3 – 0 Holwell Sports FC

Unavailability of O’Grady and Ridout again stopped Manager Gray from sending out an unchanged side and a shuffle saw Hazeldine fit in at left back whilst Betteridge moved to centre of defence and Tinsley brought in up front.

Though not ideal Holwell started sharply enough and had Anstey on the back foot from the off. Hazeldine was doing a fine job restricting winger Cosmos Matwasa on the right whilst Robinson was also equal to the task on the left curtailing the danger from Ash Day.
As early as the twelfth minute Thompson sent in a rasping shot from the edge of the box as his tenacious tackling gave Nomads something to think about.

Anstey were relying on the wingers to get behind the defence and send in crosses but it was a run in from the right that gave them a half chance on 18mins as Matwasa worked his way in from the right the ball finally going loose to Ben Tansley whose shot hit the outside of Holwell’s right hand post.

But Holwell were on top and with chances of their own a good move involving Baker and Ambrose brought about a corner where Bitmead was unlucky not to get clearly on the end of to open the scoring as his header rose over the bar.

Still it was Holwell that were forcing the play with Jack baker again putting in a stellar performance in midfield when on 25mins Mark Tinsley found space after a defensive error but shot over.

When Anstey did break through Binns was alert enough as he brought of a good save from Matwasa on the half hour mark.
Nomads lost Marshall to injury on 33mions replacing him with James Hicks moving Taylor to full back.

Ambrose was brought down on 34mins right hand side with Liam Chapman taking the kick. His effort was low down to the keeper’s left and looked good but Smith got down very well to parry the ball away.

As the half wore on Holwell were living a bit dangerously but coped with the homes side’s advances and the visitors were unlucky not to take the lead late on in the half as Michael Stevenson had a clear shot at goal which keeper Smith had do well with parrying then recovering composure to gather the ball.

Holwell started the second half well with Baker and Chapman combining on 49mins to get the ball to Ambrose who just could not collect the ball out of his feet. Minutes later a long ball from Holwell into the box caused panic in the home side defence as both centre backs collided going for the same ball.

Matwasa had been quiet for most of the match but brought out another good save from John Binns on 53mins but still Holwell looked comfortable as the half progresses.

Another good spell just after the hour saw Tinsley win another loose ball, his pass into Robinson giving the full back space for a powerful shot which again Smith did well to turn away.

But the tide was beginning to turn as Nomads upped the pace late on bringing on Harry Sheffield up front as Holwell’s exertions took their toll.

Anstey started to load the right winger with long cross field passes looking to get him in behind the visitors defence as Sheffield busied himself between the centre halves causing problems as he pressed the ball.

The deadlock was finally broken on 73mins as Anstey cut through the centre of the Holwell defence with sub James Hicks finishing well to open the scoring and lift the home side. Sheffield had caused problems for Holwell since he came on and he broke the spirit of the visitors on 77mins as he played in Ash Day to extend the lead for the home side.

Holwell had run out of steam now as Nomads controlled the game to the end but the home side were not finished as they scored a superb goal on 89mins. Started from new signing Ball at the back he sent a peach of a long cross field pin point pass over the Holwell defence to Matwasa, who controlled the ball before sending in a low cross which Hicks ran on to, forcing the ball over the line and sending Nomads top of the league.

A three nil win but a score line that flattered the home side who were second best to Holwell until very late on. Still a performance Holwell can be proud of and continue to build on away at Aylestone on Saturday.

Holwell: Binns, Robinson, Hazeldine, Bitmead, Betteridge, Thompson, Stevenson, Baker ( Calver), Chapman, Tinsley ( McGarry) Ambrose Not Used: Hendey, B Smith