Holwell Sports stun Kimberley Miners Welfare with much-needed win

It was a much needed three points for Holwell following their 3-1 reverse at home to Greenwood Meadows on Saturday.

The hosts started the game well and for most of the first half had the upper hand on Kimberley, but they just could not profit from some good balls into the box.

Laithan Hammond had a chance on 13 minutes, but could not control the ball, and Holwell could have gone in front after 20 minutes when Hammond combined with Kieran Foster who shot wide.

John Webster’s side had to be wary of breaks by Kimberley and keeper Carrick Anderson did well to turn over a goalbound shot on 25 minutes.

Bitmead missed from close range as Holwell still could not get the ball in the net, and they were punished two minutes before the break.

Felix Hogg headed home from a corner on the left to give the visitors a half-time lead and stun the home supporters.

Both teams were trying to get their heads around what was happening when the officials failed to reappear before it was made clear that referee Niall Burtt could not continue, and his assistant Garner took over.

Holwell pressed from the off and nalmost equalised on the hour, but David Hazeldine missed his chance.

Kimberley were the team on top now as they pressed for that goal to kill the match and the host came under a fair bit of pressure.

However, another goal against the run of play turned the match on its head.

Chiavetta sent in another great free-kick from the right and as the ball fell in the box, Joe Williams finished to the delight of the home fans.

Then a minute later, with Kimberley now reeling, Hammond put the home side in front as he pounced on a loose ball in the box to slot into the net.

Holwell had further chances, but were now happy to see Kimberley chase the game.

Play became frenetic as Kimberley tried to break down the Holwell defence without success.

Anderson did well, while Ridout, Bitmead, Woodcock and Chiavetta handled everything the visitors threw at them.

Far from being backs to the wall, Holwell could have gone on to extend their lead as Wells, Hazeldine and Hammond worried the Kimberley defence, chasing down and forcing mistakes.

However there was a nail-biting finale when Foster was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.

The first yellow card was for dissent, and the second for kicking the ball away after the referee had stopped play.

A stupid red card, but a good home win for Holwell who move up to 15th and travel to eighth-placed Blaby and Whetstone Athletic on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).