HOLMANS 1

RNAS CULDROSE 1

ANOTHER point from one of the few games played in the Jolly's Combination League maintained RNAS Culdrose's steady improvement in form.

This was a match that they had targeted as one from which to take all three points, but at the end of 90 minutes of wind-blown football a draw was, perhaps, a fair result.

"I don't think either side did enough to win it," said assistant manager Neil Rudkin.

"We had seen this game as one we could win, but we were happy with the draw.

"We are now getting to a consistent level of football, but that's because the nucleus of the side is available week in week out. Until the last few week's that's what we have been missing, we had no consistency, but we are beginning to show that now.

"We've got them at home next week and to be honest it's a game from which we can get all three points."

After a cagey opening, it was the servicemen who began to look the more dangerous and Danny Card almost put his side ahead in the 15th minute when a mistake by a defender let him into the box but saw his shot well saved.

The home side had their best chance when a Culdrose attack broke down after the side had pushed forward. A ball was launched for the speedy Carl Paparone to run on to, and although he got past George Pattison, he blazed the ball high over the bar with only Tom Collins to beat.

It was then that the visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession and created two good chances in a purple patch with Jamie Thompson and Jamie Adam both having good efforts well saved by the 'keeper.

Holmans began to apply pressure in the run up to half time, but their play lacked creativity and the visiting defence was largely untroubled.

In the second half they were unable to use the wind to any great effect, and although Card looked dangerous, the final ball was lacking, or a defender got in his tackle.

Adam and Anthony Rowntree had chances, but didn't really trouble the 'keeper and it looked as if it might have been costly when Holmans struck with a goal ten minutes from time.

Gary Bell found Owen Barrett who made a good run and cut in to drill his shot into the far corner of the net past Collins.

Culdrose responded in the best possible manner with an equaliser three minutes later from a move involving all three substitutes. Sean Parker, making his first appearance this season since returning from Portsmouth, laid the ball out to Steve Woodhouse who beat a defender on the way to the by-line and crossed for Sam Connell to smash the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.

It was virtually the last action of the game and a result that both sides were happy to settle for.

RNAS Culdrose: T Collins, M McBeath, I Pattison, D Rowe, M Bulgin, J Marles, J Adam, J Thompson, L Elston, A Rowntree, D Card. Subs: S Parker, S Woodhouse, S Connell.