Holwell Grab Defeat from realms of Victory!

What a finish to this game, Holwell had come from behind twice to level and looked the more likely but Ashby Ivanhoe took the match by the scruff of the neck finally punishing Holwell.

Holwell Sports FC 2 – 5 Ashby Ivanhoe FC

Holwell Grab Defeat from realms of Victory!

What a finish to this game as Holwell had come from behind twice to level and looked the more likely to score again, before Ashby Ivanhoe took the match by the scruff of the neck in the last ten minutes and sadly punished Holwell for their late lack of concentration.

The match started pretty evenly Ashby maybe the slight better of the two but both showed endeavour in the approach play but finishing was poor.

However it was Ashby Ivanhoe who broke the deadlock on 18mins when captain Mitch Woodbine scored. Holwell lost the ball in midfield after a mistake by Woodcock allowing forward Woodbine to break free, run on and slot the ball past Witham.

Holwell rallied to this set back with a good move down the left as Stevenson passed to Reek who set Tyler Sibson on his way but his final shot went agonisingly wide.

Holwell had another chance two minutes later when Stevenson volleyed from the left side of the field only to see Ashby's keeper Nik Ivanov pull off a great save to keep the visitors in front. The visitors were struggling to get to grips with Michael Stevenson in midfield and though dangerous on the break when they did get through Holwell looked safe at the back.

Holwell had another chance on the half hour when Chapman was fed the ball on the left of the eighteen yard box but with a clear shot his effort went over the bar.

Holwell chose to swap out Reek and Reeves at half time for Cowling and Shaun Smith and it looked a good move from the start as within a minute of the second half starting Cowling was given a clear chance to level but froze so soon into the game and the keeper easily stopped his effort on goal.

However it was Holwell that started with the greater intent and for the first part were knocking on the door as Ashby Ivanhoe looked rattled. It was only a matter of time as Holwell pressed and on 52mins they were deservedly level as Tyler Sibson scored, benefitting from the visitors not clearing their lines from a Holwell throw in.

However Ashby went back in front on 58mins as Holwell sat back leaving themselves open at the back as Angus Blair-Park stole in to beat Witham.

But in a bizarre twist as the game had become end to end Holwell were straight back in it a minute later as Woodcock scored from close range after yet another Holwell corner.

Holwell were by far on top now and looked likely to go on to win this as Stevenson smashed another volley at Ivanov but this time the ball went just over.

Shaun Smith was getting some tough attention on the right but still was able to come close with a left foot effort on 67 mins which Ivanov again did well to keep Ashby Ivanhoe level with another fine save tipping the shot over the bar.

Bitmead came close minutes later at a corner but headed over when he maybe could have done better with a clear header.

Holwell brought on Underwood for Randall who was teetering on the verge of a second yellow card for persistent fouling. The home side also lost Sibson to a leg injury, going to ten men and the game turned from this point on.

It looked as though the match would finish level as both teams started to feel the effects of the very heavy pitch.

However in a last flourish the visitors seized on the fact that Holwell were down to ten men and put in a profitable push to victory as Holwell seemed to lose all concentration scoring three times in as many minutes in the last six minutes.

First Woodbine beat Witham 86mins with a strong shot from just outside the eighteen yard box, right of centre, the shot dipping and bending as it flew leaving Witham no chance. Then 88mins Josh Malmeron was allowed to weave his way through the defence to easily slot past Witham, then in 89 mins, Captain Woodbine rounded off a strong performance with his third to flatter the score and finish the match 5-2 to Ashby.

A real pity for the home side, as for most of this match Holwell looked favourites to get a decent result to end the year.

Holwell: Witham, B Smith, Bitmead, Woodcock, Hazeldine, Reeves (Cowling),Reek (S Smith) Randall (Underwood), Stevenson, Chapman, Sibson.