Holker Old Boys 3 (2) v 0 (0) Whitchurch Alport
 
The first game for the squad this afternoon as they made the 274 mile round trip to Barrow-in-Furness to play Holker. With a coach organised and pre match food booked at the Rusland Pool Hotel just 12 miles from the ground (kindly sponsored by GoddardDunbar) the preparation was as good as it couldve been.
 
Its renound as one of the toughest away games in the Division One calendar and the experienced Holker side kicked down hill first on the famous slope. Looking to play very direct and wide the home side applied the pressure from the first minute as Alport looked to adjust early to deal with the directness against the slope and wind. Despite the game been dominated possession wise by Holker it was Alport who probably shouldve pinched an opener with Ashbrook missing a rebound off the goalkeeper. A couple of further counter attacks from the away side that wouldve been dangerous were sadly halted with some poor final quality in the final third. It was the home side who deservedly took the lead though but the decision a harsh one as the referee awarded a penalty as Tinsley made a good challenge seemingly pinching the ball, however the official awarded a penalty and the confusion continued as he then cautioned the wrong player. The penalty was dispatched emphatically and Holker led one nil. Although an unlucky decision Alport couldnt grumble with trailing as the home side had applied plenty of pressure throughout the opening first half. Just as it looked Alport would get to half time with just a one goal deficit and then going downhill during the second half, the killer second goal happened with two minutes remaining. A long diagonal ball was switched from the Holker left back over Ledwards head to the Holker winger, as Ledwards turned to defend he pulled up immediately with a hamstring tear and hit the floor as if a sniper had hit! This left the winger with an open pitch to run into as he attacked the goal, with the Alport defence then rushing back they couldnt get there in time as the cut back was set for the Holker striker to tap home past Walentowicz. HT 2-0
 
The second half did improve for Alport and plenty of chances missed, some good saves from the Holker goalkeeper also. A well worked goal from a throw in after just fifteen minutes completed the scoreline for the homeside and they later hit the crossbar too. At the other end chances were wasted by a sloppy Alport as a goal wouldve definitely changed the dimension of the game but ultimately no arguments from anyone at Whitchurch as Holker gained all three points. FT 3-0
 
Manager Luke Goddard summarised briefly "Disappointing afternoon, yes we suffered some bad luck with the opening goals and you cant chase a game like today against a very experienced side and we put ourselves in that position. We improved during the second period but our lads especially in forward areas were not anywhere near the standards they and we expect. Its going to happen plenty of times this season when the quality isnt quite there and we have to ensure the workrate on the reverse is still upto standard as we will still be able to grind out results. I dont think all of them today did that and we now have to learn from it quickly. Were still learning as a group, we needed a game like today as harsh as that may sound, we must appreciate losing games to appreciate winning them, myself, Carl and Tony will be looking for a reaction next weekend"