2008\9 Season Under 16s

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Match Report

Open Cup

Semi-Final

Away Vs Knowle Eagles

Holywell arrived on another away cup trip, to bottom of Division One side Knowle Eagles. The pitch was a smaller pitch than the lads were used to at Holywell Lane. The sun was shining and a slight breeze blew across the pitch.

This was Holywells’ very first proper semi-final and to do it in the Open cup was a massive achievement. The lads and supporters could sense that this was going to be their day.

We kicked uphill in the first half and it wasn’t long before we were under pressure from the long high ball that Knowle played to their tall players. Every kick from anywhere on the pitch was launched into the Holywell box. Matt S and Reiss coped with all thrown at them and were ably supported by a keen and willing midfield of Derrell, Ollie K, Ollie H and Mahad, who was welcomed back after such a nasty injury. Always a threat on the break were Dexter and top goalscorer Matt P. Waiting eagerly on the bench was Andy, Taniya, Wesley  and Aaron.

First blood fell to Holywell after a long goal kick was flicked on by Dexter and Matt P brushed aside the challenge of the centre half to slot the ball past the oncoming Knowle goalkeeper. !-0! Despite more pressure and anxiety from the crowd Holywell did very well to hold on til half time, despite Matt S slicing against his own crossbar!

The second half continued with much the same pace as the first with Knowle trying to get back in the game with the long, high ball into the Holywell box. Indeed after a harsh fee-kick against us, Knowle scrambled an equiliser which resulted in their players lifting their game in a bid to snatch a winner.1-1. Then with six minutes left after conceding an unnecessary corner, Knowle scored what looked like the winner with a free header on the six yard box. 1-2. Play immediately switched to the Knowle half straight from the restart which resulted in a free kick to Holywell from 25 yards out from the left hand corner of the box. Matt P stepped up and screamed a shot right into the right hand corner of the goal. What a goal and 2-2 going into the last nail biting few minutes. Each and every Holywell player had given well in excess of 100%. Now that effort was needed in extra time. Despite a lot of end to end incidents the match went onto penalties. What a way to end a pulsating match played in the best possible spirit. Especially with what was at stake.

Knowle went first in what turned out to be a jaw dropping finale to this tense semi-final.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After losing to Redditch earlier in the season on penalties it was Holywells turn to come out winners, even after Reiss missed! Well done to all who took the penalties and very well played to the lads for never giving up and getting what they richly deserved.

We look forward to a great day out on May 24th at Chelmsley Towns’ ground.

 

Written by A Glory Hunter.