Holwell Beat Ellistown & Ibstock

Resolute defending, grit and determination mixed with some clinical finishing, and a slice of good luck were what was required for Holwell to gain their 5th league win from the last 7 played. Throw in to the mix two late red cards and Holwell still kept Ellistown at arms length to earn their 3rd league clean sheet of the season.

Ellistown who had suffered defeat previously in the Westerby Cup at the hands of Holwell arrived at Welby Road flying high in the EMCL and in the hunt for title. The Ellistown team featured a numerous changes from the cup tie, but the game followed a very familiar pattern.

Holwell welcomed back Stevenson in to the starting line up for the first time since his ankle injury, and Hallam returned to the bench following his own ankle injury. Smith was missing as was Anderson from the 3-3 draw with Arnold with Foster returning to his familiar midfield position.

Ellistown started on the front foot but were stopped from getting to close to Stainsby in the Holwell goal with some early feisty challenges, as Ellistown were not allowed time to settle. Despite seeing more of the ball Ellistown failed to create any clear cut scoring challenges until late on in the first half to which Stainsby parried to safety.

Ellistown were then rocked when Mooney was allowed the freedom of Welby Road to score two in three minutes and put Holwell firmly in the driving seat. The first Mooney calmly finished after beating the off side trap after 14 minutes. Two minutes later Mooney again finished well this time from his own run which began in his own half, leaving the four Ellistown defenders trailing behind.

Ellistown again fought back and gained control of the possession aspect of the game, but only threatened the Holwell goal from set pieces, when after a few goal mouth scrambles managed to clear their lines with help on the post and on another occasion Stainsby's crossbar came to the rescue.

Holwell did however continue to threaten on the break and could have made it three, but Foster shot wide Holwell's best chance.

Holwell saw out the half however to go in at half time two goals to the good.

Holwell emerged from the changing rooms with a slightly more defensive mentality, despite looking to kill the game of with a third. Much like the Cup game once Holwell went two goals up, Ellistown dominated possession but could not penetrate the stubborn defense of Denigan, Ridout, Rose and Randall.

As Ellistown used their substitutes to try and create an opening, Daws introduced Hallam for Denigan to add some fresh legs to his busy defense.

Hallam introduction was brief as within 5 minutes he was shown a red card for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity, despite the through ball heading more towards the corner flag than Stainsby in the Holwell goal.

From the resulting free kick Ellistown forward Lewis fired his effort harmlessly wide.

Barnard was introduced, replacing Stannard in a tactical reshuffle following Hallams dismissal.

More drama followed when a couple of minutes late Hibbitt was then also shown a red card, this time collecting his second yellow for dissent.

With 9 men Holwell dug deep and defended as an even tighter unit and apart from one scare when Ellistown did get the ball in the net, it was judged that Stainsby had been fouled in the process.

The ref finally called time on proceedings, with Holwell taking the points and lifting themselves up a position in the EMCL to 13th. Despite defending for long periods it can not be argued that Holwell did it well, and apart from a 5 - 10 minutes spell in the first half managed to stop Ellistown from ever looking overly threatening.

Up next for Holwell is a League Cup tie away at Arnold on Tuesday night, before heading to table toppers St Andrews next Saturday.

Holwell; Stainsby, Denigan (Hallam 70 mins - sent off, professional foul), Rose (booked - foul), Ridout, Randall, Foster (booked - dissent), Stevenson, Hibbitt (booked - punching ball away + dissent = red card), Wells, Stannard (Barnard 75 mins), Mooney.