Holmans put dent in Illogan's title hopes

HOLMANS put a dent in Illogan's challenge for the Jolly's Combination League title when they held them to a 1-1 draw at Blaythorne.

In a game high on effort but short on quality, neither side settled sufficiently to play any football of note in windy conditions, but Illogan will be rueing the loss of points after conceding an equaliser six minutes from time.

Illogan got off to a great start when they scored after five minutes. Stuart Peters whipped over a corner that was missed by both attackers and defenders and ended up going into the top corner of the net.

Simon Ellis almost made it two when his 30-yard shot skimmed the bar, but the next decisive incident was the injury to referee Steve Carpenter. A replacement was obtained from a nearby junior game.

The second half mirrored the first with neither side settling down, but Rodney Gregory had two great chances in one on ones with the goalkeeper, but the first shot ended up in the 'keeper's arms and the second wide of the goal.

Holmans almost snatched the equaliser from a bizarre free kick. Keith Rule's effort from inside his own half had goalkeeper Danny Burrows back pedalling. He managed to get back and push the ball up on to the bar, which shot straight back down, into his arms.

Four minutes from time Holmans struck with an equaliser when Illogan failed to clear an attack. The ball fell to Adam Freethy who made no mistake with his shot past the 'keeper.

This Saturday Illogan are home to St Day.

Illogan: D Burrows, G Pitt, D Holsey, A Clarke, R Treloar, S Ellis, R Bray, S Peters, B Widdershoven, R Gregory, S Richards. Subs: G Sturmey, A Cowper, J Kemp.