East Midlands Counties League
HOLWELL SPORTS 0 GREENWOOD MEADOWS 1
Matchball sponsor: John Mooney

Traditional slow starters, Holwell began well against their visitors from Nottinghamshire, but faded in the second half.

But boss Simon Daws will still feel they did enough to earn at least a point with more cutting edge in attack.

The hosts, giving league debuts to new signings Russ Pitman in defence and Mike Stevenson in midfield, were in the ascendancy for the opening 20 minutes without a clear-cut chance, Scott Mooney's flicked shot, comfortably saved, in the seventh minute aside.

Holwell keeper Richard Gordon had to produce a fine save from Ashley Whitt in a rare Greenwood attack. But the hosts continued to press, Niall Prenderville pulling the strings in midfield and Mooney looking energetic up front as good build-up play lacked a decisive final ball or cutting edge around the box.

After several half-chances, Holwell came closest just before the half-hour when a neat free-kick saw Graham Keast tee up Mooney 20 yards out. He unleashed a precise shot, sending it low towards the bottom left corner, but Greenwood keeper Scott Clay saved well.

Holwell were forced into two changes at half-time, Keast breaking three bones in his hand and replaced by youngster Matt Hendey, while another youth team graduate Nat Price came on for Jamie McKay in attack.

But the hosts struggled to gel after the break as in contrast to the first half, Greenwood controlled possession and created chances.

After several half-chances and their best period of the game, Greenwood went ahead on the hour mark when sub Craig Meakin sent in a centre and Whitt found space to slide in and loop a shot over Gordon's head.

Finally stung into action, Holwell pressed with Andy Teare's long diagonal ball putting Anthony Snelgrove clear on the left, but his dangerous cross failed to find a Holwell head.

Mooney, heavily marked throughout the second half, worked space for a shot in the 18-yard box, but his shot lacked venom and was comfortably saved.

Last season's top scorer was again involved when put through by Hendey's great run and pass, and sent a shot fizzing to the top corner, but Clay tipped it over superbly. Clay missed the resulting corner, but Dave Saddington headed just wide at the back post when well placed to score.

Greenwood threatened with quick breaks, Meakin fluffing a good chance and Jordan Blair shooting wide. Holwell's Hendey was unlucky when his goalbound volley hit a Greenwood defender.

And in injury time, Mooney was almost sent clear by Teare, but typically of Holwell's day, Leighton Pollard's well-timed last-ditch challenge denied him.

Holwell's man-of-the-match, sponsored by Roger Hodson, was Niall Prenderville.

Holwell: R. Gordon, A. Teare, R. Pitman, A. Snelgrove, D. Saddington (c), N. Prenderville, F. Stannard, M.