UCL Division 1
19/8/23
Gedling see off Holwell with a 2nd half masterclass.
The Miners were looking to build on a 4-0 away victory at Southwell but started slowly against a Holwell team who were looking for their first victory of the season.
Both sides really struggled in the early stages with no keeper having to make a save but on 20 minutes the visitors took the lead, Gedling switched off from a short corner and Jai Wedgwood was allowed to run along the edge of the box and his effort found the bottom right-hand corner.
Gedling reacted well and just two minutes later they were given a penalty, Muta Eisa beat two challenges before he was bundled over in the area and Kieran Harrison stepped up and slotted his penalty away for his 2nd goal in as many games and the miners were level.
Gedling’s first half struggles continued and on 40 minutes Holwell retook the lead, a simple pass found the free Josh Barrett who went 1v1 with Mitchell and he slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner from 16 yards to give the green and golds a deserved half time lead.
The Miners came out the traps quick and pinned the visitors back and on 69 minutes the hosts drew level again, Harrison whipped in a super free kick which was met by Courtney Hastings whose header from 12 yards found the top right corner for his 1st of the season.
Just 40 seconds later the miners nearly went in front, Ross McCaughey ran onto a loose ball but his effort from 30 yards clipped the top of the crossbar and the visitors cleared.
But five minutes later McCaughey gave Gedling the lead with a unreal strike, Eisa picked him out and Gedling’s captain found the top left corner from 25 yards to send the hosts faithful crazy and to give Gedling the lead for the first time.
On 81 minutes Gedling extended their advantage, Harrison again capitalised on some poor visitors defending and he picked out Hastings who smashed the ball over the hosts keeper from 20 yards for his 2nd of the game and to give the hosts a 4-2 lead.
It should have got better as in stoppage time Harrison missed a glorious chance as the visitor’s lost possession and the ball fell to the Gedling midfielder but he could only hit his effort wide of the post from 18 yards, but Gedling claimed all 3 points and have made it back-to-back victories scoring 8 goals in the process.
Gedling Man of the Match – Ross McCaughey
Gedling Team – Josh Mitchell, Liam Corrigan, Buba Ceesay, Jack Koczalski, Adrian Hawes, Steven Brett (Kian Clarkson 59’), Victor Somoye (Daniel Momah 52’), Kieran Harrison, Courtney Hastings (Exauce Nsiala 86’), Muta Eisa, Ross McCaughey (C).
Next Game- Dunkirk (A), 26/08/23, UCL Division 1, 3:00PM KO
