Holwell Sports fight back after shock first minute goal

Holwell recovered from the shock of conceding a goal in the first minute to battle back for a point.

Sports were caught cold in that opening 60 seconds as Connor Carter netted for the gleeful visitors.

But Holwell got back on level terms on the stroke of half-time thanks to a great finish by Laithan Hammond.

Sports had the chances to win Saturday’s game but had to settle for a share of the spoils against opposition who were just two points better off in mid-table in the East Counties League premier division.

Latecomers were still making their way into the ground when Radford grabbed that quickfire opener.

There seemed to be a lack of concentration among the Holwell rearguard as Graham Wells, playing in an unfamiliar left back role, was beaten too easily by Radford’s Joe Evans and his low cross into the box was turned into the net by Carter.

Sports fought back immediately with Hibbitt and Latham making chances for Foster.

Holwell looked good on the break with Hammond firing over on 13 minutes.

A great move almost produced the equaliser midway through the half as Hammond held the ball up well and played in David Reeves only for the shot on target to be weak.

Holwell were well on top and the Radford goal led a charmed life.

Wells and Hammond combined bu the latter’s chip dropped narrowly wide.

Goalkeeper Dunning had to be sharp to parry a header by Hammond before the shot back in from Mike Hendy was saved on the line by Karem, with home appeals for a penalty waved away.

Holwell came close again on 33mins as Hammond was fouled on the edge of the box, Chapman took the kick and Hibbitt was unlucky as Dunning turned his header away low down to his left.

Minutes later Hammond had the ball in the net but the referee adjudged the keeper had been fouled.

Wells burst into the box on five minutes before the break and his low cross was scrambled away for a corner.

The leveller finally arrived on 45 minutes.

Holwell worked another corner on the right and Reeves and Chapman combined for the latter to send in a strong cross which Hammond met on the full in fine style.

Holwell continued to press in the second halfwith Radford less of an attacking threat.

Hendy shot just over the bar before the visitors went in search of a second goal of their own.

Kenny Reeves replaced the tiring Carter up front and then home goalkeeper Jamie Witham had to pull off a remarkable save from Ibrihim Karem’s goal-bound effort. Minutes later Witham made another instinctive save.

As the half wore on the game became stretched Fontoura coming on for Chapman but he was not able to inspire a winner.

Radford will have been happier with the point after surviving heavy periods of pressure from their hosts.

Holwell Sports: Witham, Reeves, Wells, Bitmead, Norris, Chapman (Fontoura), Hibbitt, Stevenson, Hendy, Foster, Hammond.

Substitutes not used:

Hazeldine, Tinsley, Matt Hendy.