Chilt had some serious selection issues heading into the game with Holbrook, with many of the first team squad unavailable. Missing this week were Dann, Daly, Hilditch, De Gruchy, McCafferty, Rickman and Leppard. Also absent was new signing Jay Newton who will hopefully be fit within the coming weeks. Some good news though for Chilt was that club captain Scott Wolters returned to the team.

Holbrook appear to have a very strong squad now and even since our cup game two weeks previously, they have added the eye catching signing of Luis Freitas. A front four of Freitas, Warren, Spiers and Greig will cause many teams problems this season.

In the first half Holbrook were the dominant team and Chilt were just off the pace. It was a relief to get to half time at 0-0. However, Gary Weedon did have a great chance when he dispossessed the Holbrook centre half but could only chip the ball tamely into the goalkeeper's arms.

At half time, Chilt knew things could only improve and they started to get their passing game going in the second half. Ash Hills was starting to get more joy down the right wing and Josh Burns started to take control of the centre of midfield. His trickery on the ball and his eye for a pass were very impressive in the second half.

The defining moment came 20 mins into the second half when Craig Pulling received the ball in the box from Scott Pulling. Craig found some space and attempted to loft the ball to the back post. The ball was blocked by the Holbrook centre half who had his arm in the air. The ball appeared to hit the player in the armpit region and the referee awarded the penalty. There were obviously complaints from Holbrook but the referee stated that the player's arm was in the air. If we had been on the receiving end of this decision we would have been complaining in a similar fashion. Charlie Monaghan clinically dispatched the penalty kick.

Holbrook had one very good chance with a minute remaining, when Greig went clean through after a mix up between Holt and Wolters. However, Dave Williams produced a great save to deny Holbrook a point.

This was a good win for Chilt, but at times we were not at our best. Holbrook will feel they deserved a point. Hopefully more players will become available in the next few weeks.

M.O.M Dave Williams