Holwell hold Arnold

Holwell entertained the leagues form side in Arnold Town on Saturday and showed how far they have come in recent weeks by weathering heavy early pressure and showing the spirit and determination to fight back on three separate occasion to halt Arnold's 6 game winning streak.

Holwell had to re shuffle their starting lineup due to player unavailability with Barnard and Calver both missing. With Foster (suspended) and Chapman (injured), Daws' option were stretched with Randall reverting to left back, Denigan to right back and in came Anderson to right midfield, with Stevenson still not in a position to be starting a game.

On a very wet Welby Road pitch Arnold came with a game plan and just about executed it perfectly in the first half except for two lapses. Arnold who played percentage football from the off, and looked extremely dangerous from set pieces took a deserved lead after 15 mins when Price's free kick was inch perfect into the top corner of Stainsby net.

Despite more Arnold pressure it was Holwell who struck next when Stannard set up Hibbitt up on the edge of the box and after lifting the ball over an on rushing defender fired a volley that looped over Cherry in the Arnold goal.

Arnold fired back and regained the lead 10 minutes later from another set piece. This time it it was Hayes who got across his man to head home from a corner. Things nearly got worse for Holwell when another Price free kick was sailing towards the top corner before Stainsby diverted it over his cross bar. Stainsby then came to Holwell's rescue again this time diving to save an Hastings effort.

Five minutes later however and right on half time Holwell leveled again. Mooney sent Stannard through on goal who kept his composure to round Cherry and slot the ball into the empty net.

Holwell were rather fortunate to go in at half time with the scores level however with the amount of pressure that had been absorbed and also the fact that they hit back twice is a sign of the belief in the team at the moment.

Holwell needed to try and gain some momentum in the game and unfortunately Hastings halted any chance of this 5 minutes into the second half. A half cleared header from another long Arnold throw was superbly volleyed in by Arnold's young forward. A disappointing goal to concede yet again however the skill in the goal must be applauded.

As the second half progressed Holwell finally began to build momentum and threaten regularly themselves aided by the continued recovery from injury by club captain Stevenson. This said it took Holwell till 5 minutes from time to find another equalizer. This time it was Rose who met a Stevenson corner.

Arnold may and probably should have had this game out of sight at half time but unfortunately met Stainsby who on the day arguably enjoyed his best performance thus far in a Holwell shirt. After three spirited fight-backs however no one can begrudge Holwell a share of the spoils.

Up next for Holwell is an away day trip to Graham Street Prims where they will look to build on their recent good form.