Holker Old Boys Vs Castleton Gabriels

On the back of a 1-0 victory over Leek, Castleton made the long trip North to face the team that were making the bottom of the table their own, Holker Old Boys.

Again the Gabs had to make several changes due to injury. The versatile Andrew Pheby deputised upfront for the injured Brad Barrington, and Michael Ward moved into the central midfield role for the injured Simon Riley.

Gabs began well and dictated the pace of the game early on, but were then hindered after 20 minutes when captain Steve McCann had to be taken off injured; Alan Brannick was brought on at centre back as his replacement. After 25 mins Carl Winstanley thought he had claimed his third goal of the season, only for it to be ruled out by the officious linesman for offside. But Gabs didn’t have to wait too long for the break through as 5 minutes later they took the lead. Central Midfielder Matt Jackson headed home from a corner to claim his first goal of the season, and put Castleton into a well-deserved lead. 0-1.

Gabs pressed for another before the half but were unable to break the Holker defence, and the half time whistle was eventually blown. A positive start for Castleton and with obvious signs of weakness in the Holker defence, they would hope to increase their lead in the second half.

Unsurprisingly I was wrong, and 20 minute's in Holker Levelled the score. Christian Evans put wide a glorious chance, and from this Holker pressed forward and scored the equaliser through Michael Hargreaves. 1-1.

This prompted a response from the Gabs who weren’t about to let slip after their hard work in the first half. After 70 minutes, Carl Winstanley went marauding down the right flank, beat several players, crossed into the box and Matthew Jackson was waiting to calmly slot home from 5 yards for his and Castleton’s second. 1-2.

A few minutes later Castleton were rewarded for their hard work with a third. Michael Ward won the ball in Midfield, played in Andrew Pheby who coolly put it through the legs of the stranded and later embarrassed Holker keeper. 1-3.

The game was far from over. And once again a lapse in concentration late on and a defensive mix-up allowed Holker to capitalise and pull one back through Bernardo Morris after 87 minutes. 2-3.

With only a few minutes left the visitors went in search of a fourth to finally put the game to bed. After a period of sustained pressure, the visitors were rewarded with a corner. Michael Ward swung a swirling ball into the box, which was met by the head of Andrew Pheby who claimed his second and Gabs fourth of the game. 2-4.

The final whistle was blown, and a second successive victory for Castleton. Despite jet lag, injuries and Andrew Pheby claiming his second man of the match in a row (confirming his effectiveness in any position), Castleton performed well away from home, and condemned Holker to another defeat. And if other results go their way, Castleton will be hoping to remain mid-table until Saturdays Home fixture against Bootle.