Witham’s safe handling spurs Holwell on at Kimberley.

"Fergie Time" penalty for Kimberley spares their blushes as Holwell upset form book again!

Match Report 21/04/18
Kimberley Miners Welfare 1 – 1 Holwell Sports FC

Jamie Witham had one of those days on Saturday which he could look back on and feel proud that he had a major part in ensuring Holwell’s improving form sees them pull off a moral victory with a hard fought draw away to Kimberley Miners Welfare.

Kimberley having seen their league aspirations blow up in their faces in the last three matches, where they had lost all three including an embarrassing loss to bottom of the pile Radcliffe in midweek, had a big point to prove to halt their poor run of form.

Having lost ground in the run in to the title it seemed the attitude was to get back on track against Holwell at all costs!

From the start they did pepper the visitors back line but as in recent matches Holwell were strong and coped with all that was thrown at them with sturdy defending.

Confidence is high at Holwell and having played well in their last few matches it didn’t take the visitors long to settle and make some moves of their own as Kyle Reek got off a great effort on 18mins which would have opened the scoring.

Holwell lost Chapman with a recurring injury soon after having to revamp their line up bringing on Mark Cowling up front and switching Shaun Smith to midfield.

Smith had a great effort on the half hour as the match had turned into a midfield battle between the two as both teams were guilty of promising moves breaking down in the final third or ball into the box.

As Kimberley pushed for the opener towards the end of the first half it was Jamie Witham that made two spectacular saves to keep the visitors in the game denying first their centre forward from close range then a shot from a midfield player from all of 25yds which looked a certainty before Witham got down well to turn the shot away.

Kimberley again came at Holwell at the start of the second half as they tried to impose their play. Witham had to be sharp again as he did well to save low down from a shot by Kimberley’s right full back.

But Holwell were still in this game as Smith benefitted from a sharp breakaway making Kimberley’s keeper tip his goal bound shot over the bar.

It was Holwell that was now on top as Tinsley came close with a header tipped over the bar but as the game opened up it was Kimberley’s winger who forced another top save from Witham.

A bit end to end now the match was building nicely as first Ambrose then Betteridge with a free kick came close to opening the scoring as Holwell bucked the form book again pressing again with good approach work.

Ambrose crossed the ball from another good move on 62mins and there to steer the ball past the Kimberley keeper with a close range header was Mark Cowling to put Holwell deservedly in front.

Kimberley started to push the panic button with moves breaking down as Holwell defended sternly giving as good as they got causing more frustration in the home side’s play the referee booking Meakin and Wren in the second half.

But Holwell weren’t finished and Reek may have done better after a fine solo run in the 83rd minute as he beat three players but shot weakly which the Kimberley keeper swallowed up.

As the game looked to be ending badly for Kimberley for the fourth game in a row Witham again kept the home side at bay with another big save in the 89th minute.

However after an untimely trip in the Holwell box referee Vayro awarded Kimberley a penalty in the fourth minute of additional time which Kyle Wren dispatched but not before Alex Doyle was sent off for striking Cowling in the melee which followed the penalty being awarded.

It is Kimberley that need to look inward after yet another below par display but for Holwell it is another good point won on the road which they hope to add to when they travel to Anstey Nomads on Tuesday.

Holwell:- Witham, B Smith, Bitmead, Woodcock, Betteridge, Reek, O’Grady, Chapman(Cowling), Ambrose, Tinsley, S Smith. Subs Hazeldine, Cragg