Daisy Hill 0 - 3 Holker Old Boys

Daisy Hill 0 v 3 Holker Old Boys.

Holker made the Monday night away trip to Bolton with the added incentive 3 points would see the stags take pole position in the league.
With both sides having tough matches on Saturday ,the game started quite slow which suited Daisy Hill and there long ball tactic over Holker’s defence was causing a little concern.
It was Daisy Hill who had the first chance ,a neat inter change on the right ,saw the Daisy Hill right back swing a deep cross into the far post, only to see the big centre forward steer his header wide of the post.
Holker struggled in the first 10 minutes getting their passing game going on a pitch where the grass was very long and seemed to slow the ball down. Daisy Hill had certainly started the brighter and another ball given cheaply away by Holker released a Daisy Hill midfielder who jinked past one and from the edge of the box hit a stunning drive, which looked almost destined to be going into the top corner until a brilliant one handed save by Bell tipped the ball over the cross bar.
This seemed to spur Holker into life and a neat move down the right saw Brough release Swarbrick where he outstripped the defence and hit a low effort wide of the keeper and post.
Another attack from Holker this time from the left, saw Gareth Smith with time on the ball to deliver a low hard cross which caused a goal mouth scramble in the Daisy Hill box, somehow the ball ended in the goalkeepers hands when 3 Holker players looked certain to get the final touch.

In a good spell for Holker now ,a driving run from Hubbold at Hill’s defence and a through ball put Smith in the clear, unselfishly he crossed to find Swarbrick at the far post, who hit it first time only to see his effort crash against the crossbar and over for a goal kick.
The next chance fell to Daisy Hill, a free kick some 30 yards out was delivered high into the far post, the Holker defender thought it was going out but a Daisy Hill defender managed to direct his header to an un-marked player and with the goal open should have really done a lot better than heading over.

After this both teams cancelled each other out till the break with very limited chances created.

Half Time: Daisy Hill 0 - 0 Holker OB

As the second half started Holker came out the stronger and started to really insert some heavy pressure onto the Daisy Hill defence, Dave Swarbrick was first to trouble the keeper with a stinging shot on the turn and then Billy Moss had a surging run down the left hand side and a great cross saw Jordan Brough head straight into the keepers hands when either side would have seen Holker take the lead.

Daisy Hill were pinned back now with Holker in full control ,a series of corners ensued but to no avail, with Jamie Pattinson coming the closest with a shot that just skimmed the post.
As Daisy Hill were tiring, Gareth Smith bombed on only to see his cross come shot deflected out for a corner.

Smith took the corner and with Daisy Hill still sorting out their defensive shape, a perfectly weighted ball saw an unmarked Grundy power home a header to give Holker the deserving lead.
Another Holker spell almost saw them double their lead when a swerving shot by Pattinson looked certain to find the top corner only for it to swerve away at the last moment.

Daisy Hill to their credit never gave in and when the lively winger for Hill put a dangerous cross in from the left ,it took a couple of last ditch tackles from Holker to clear their lines.
A warning that Daisy Hill were still in this game and it was no way over, Holker brought on John Paul Stanway to replace Smith and had an immediate effect, a beautiful ball down the right hand wing by Bonner, saw Jordan Brough in the clear, who drove to the by line and delivered a perfect cross for Stanway on 87 minutes to finish bottom left to double Holker’s lead.

2 minutes later a through ball by Grundy released Brough who’s initial shot was saved by the keeper but Swarbrick was on hand to finish and make it 3 – 0 and game over.

As the final whistle went it was a great 3 points for Holker at a ground where it’s always a tough place to go on a Monday night.

Full Time: Daisy Hill 0 - 3 Holker OB

Attendance: 34

Holker's Man of the Match: Martin Grundy

Match Report Credit to Gaz Fawcett.

Next up is a home game against title favourite’s Barnton FC.
Date: 22/08/15
Venue: Rakesmoor Lane
Match Preview will be completed within the week