Holker Old Boys v Irlam.

Tue 11/03/14

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HOLKER OLD BOYS’ AFC 2 IRLAM FC 1

THE NWCFL 1st DIVISION 11/03/14

Holker just managed to hang on to their 100% League record since the enforced 8 week break because of the weather. A disjointed performance saw them move into 7th place in the table leapfrogging their opponents with first half goals from Danny Pattinson and Brad Hubbold being enough to counter a dire second half performance that saw them on the defensive for almost the whole period and John Main’s goal for Irlam making for a frantic final 10mins and stoppage time.

Manager Gary Fawcett’s only pre-match headache was selecting a starting line up with virtually a full squad to pick from apart from Liam Shields who was unavailable because of University.

The game started at a high tempo with the ball constantly changing sides but with little goalmouth incident and it took until the 22nd min for either side to have get anything on target when Danny Pattinson’s persistence on the left won a corner. Dave Swarbrick’s corner to the far post was met by Phil Coombe’s head as he came round the back but he could only find Brewer’s left hand post. A minute later Hubbold volleyed over from 20yds out as Holker began to look more positive and they took the in the 33rd min after a rapid one two between the Pattinson brothers Danny and Jamie on the Holker right ended with Danny sending a low drive under the diving Brewer from inside the 6yd box. Holker doubled their advantage a minute before the break when an in swinging corner from Hubbold on the Holker right crept in at the near post with Brewer stranded in the middle of his goal.

Half time: - Holker Old Boys’ AFC 2 Irlam FC 0

With Holker looking comfortable with their two goal cushion at the break it was expected that the second half would be a formality against a side peppered with youth players but it was anything but as Holker never got out of the dressing room for most of the 45mins. They were under the cosh for long periods unable to break out of their own half or string two passes together as Irlam harassed, chased and closed down at every opportunity. If Swarbrick had managed to put away his chance in the 50th min after Jamie Pattinson had raced down the right and squared the ball in for him it might have been a different story but Brewer saved well down to his right and that was virtually the only chance Holker created in the whole of the half. Irlam’s pressure and possession finally got them the goal it deserved when John Main reduced the arrears in the 81st min from close range to make for an interesting final 10mins and 6mins of added time after an injury to Hubbold delayed play. Fortunately Holker held out and Irlam did themselves no favours when their indiscipline cost them the services of Jordan Icely for added time when he was dismissed for a second bookable offence on the 90min mark which took the pressure off Holker.

Not an inspiring performance ahead of Saturday’s 1st Division Challenge Cup semi final 2nd leg against Hanley Town but perhaps it was the thought of this game in the player’s heads that contributed to this poor display and anything like this against Hanley would prove disastrous.

Saturday also sees the start of three home games inside six days. After the cup tie on Saturday, KO 3.00pm, Holker entertain Northwich Flixton Villa on Tuesday night then Rochdale Town on Thursday night both 8.00pm KO’s.

Full time: - Holker Old Boys’ AFC 2 Irlam FC 1

Attendance: - 58

Holker Old Boys’ AFC: - 1, Ollie Bell 2, Danny Pattinson 3, Craig Redhead 4, Phil Coombe (Capt) 5, Guy Heffernan 6, Dave Swarbrick 7, Stu Pattinson (Sub 60mins) 8, Mark Daly 9, Brad Hubbold (Sub 76mins) 10, Martin Grundy 11, Jamie Pattinson. Substitutes: - 12, Paul Southward (On for 7) 14, Nathan Reid (DNP) 15, Gareth Smith (On for 9) 16, Joseff Tindale (DNP) 17, John-Paul Stanway (DNP).

Irlam FC’s Man of the Match for Holker Old Boys’ AFC: - Martin Grundy

Cautioned: - Lewis Jackson of Irlam FC
Steven Mills of Irlam FC
Jordan Icely of Irlam FC
Jacob Holt of Irlam FC