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(Junior Cup)
Thorpe Village (1) v (2) Holt Reserves
Holt traveled to Thorpe for the second week running. This time to face Thorpe's first team in the Junior Cup. After losing to Thorpe's reserves the week prior, Holt wanted to put the record straight about why they were so disappointed by the 3-1 defeat. However this was going to be a tough proposition against an in-form division 3 side. Holt welcomed back Adam Smith and Chris Hopper who were missing from the previous week. This meant that Holt had only 2 different reserve players in the starting line-up from the loss against Thorpe's reserve team. Holt started brightly knowing that all the pressure was on Thorpe and settled into the game nicely. Holt won a couple of corners early on in the game and the 2nd corner was whipped in by Daniel Rouse and Gavin Sheridan was the player to convert it in for the first goal. After 15Min's Holt became a little sloppy with the distribution and started to panic on the ball. This allowed Thorpe into the game, who started to turn up the pressure on Holt. Thorpe eventually broke Holt down and scored a well taken goal, which always seemed on the cards. Holt battled hard to half time and were pleased with the work effort on show. Holt knew that Thorpe would not be happy with how things were going and probably expected Holt to be a walk over after last weeks display. Holt decided to keep things tight for the first 10Min's, which they did to great affect. Chris Cude decided to make a sub and took of the forever hard working Marty Alford for Robert Rust-Andrews. This tuned out to be a good tactical decision with Rusty having a shot, which hit the cross bar and kindly fell to Bret Squire to poke home. Holt were now right up against it with Thorpe chucking everything they could at Holt. Vince Peart had to make a few reflex saves to keep Thorpe at bay. Cude decided to make another tactical change and took of Rouse for Richard Hooker and then played 3 in the middle with 1 lone striker. With 15Min's to go Thorpe had all the play and were determined to draw level. Holt were feeling the fatigue, with players going down with cramp and some heavy breathing to suit. Thorpe looked to have equalized in the dying minutes, only for Smith to save it of the line and forcing the corner. Holt had all their players back to defend the last few seconds of the game and were relieved once the full-time whistle went. Holt's back 4 (Smart, Thompson, Sheridan, Smith) and keeper (Peart) all deserved man of the match after a great display at the back, showing how to grind out a win and playing well as a unit. A good all round performance showing what they are capable of and are now eagerly awaiting the next round draw.
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