FOOTBALL returned to Upcott Field after many weeks, indeed only the second game since the first week in November due to the awful weather conditions and a run of six away games, and just one at home, writes Alistair Clements. Despite the best efforts of the weather this week the pitch was in surprisingly good condition albeit extremely heavy.

Immediately prior to the game a minute's silence was immaculately observed by supporters of both teams, in memory of Ken Yelland, a former Chairman of AFC Holsworthy who died recently.

The game itself evoked all the cliches, 'a heavy pitch is the great leveller' (Elburton being bottom of the league) 'their manager will have been the happier of the opposing managers with the result' (a one all draw), 'a classical six pointer' (both teams being in the bottom three), 'Elburton belied their position' (they played surprisingly well) etc, etc.

The sides were well matched and both worked hard in tiring conditions, if nothing else nobody could have been faulted for effort.

It was a game that Holsworthy will be disappointed to have only drawn, surprisingly only their second league draw this season, a win and three points would have created an 11 point gap between the clubs in Holsworthy's favour, in fact the status quo is maintained albeit still with an eight point benefit.

Elburton started the brighter with an early free kick which supporters felt was harshly awarded, this though was followed by a long Holsworthy throw in over the top of the away defence which almost put Lee Morgan through. Elburton's defence were continually playing over-square and were susceptible to the ball played over the defence which caught them out on numerous occasions although Holsworthy were rarely able to capitalise.

A bad Elburton miss followed when Dean Chidley did well to parry a shot but could only push the ball out to an opposition forward who made a serious hash of his shot, placing it badly wide. A serious let-off for Holsworthy!

Levi Landricombe for Holsworthy shot across the face of goal and the ball was then played into the Holsworthy half through the middle of the defence and Elburton's Sam Hughes shot to give 'keeper Chidley no chance. One down!

Stuart Rickard moved forward but shot past the post and then Mike Landricombe hit a superb shot only inches over the bar with the 'keeper desperately clawing clean air. The Elburton defence continued to be caught out by the ball played over their heads, Ian Rowe playing the ball in this manner to Lee Morgan whose cross eluded the back-pedalling defenders and just failed to be connected by Steve Hackett's despairing lunge.

Villa's Lee Harvey tackled with his foot-up on 'keeper Dean Chidley and Harvey might think himself lucky to have remained on the pitch. Chidley although not badly hurt needed lengthy treatment and was in discomfort for the rest of the game.

Ty Lavis making his home debut for Holsworthy had a super free kick brilliantly met by Mike Landricombe in the air and his header gave the Elburton 'keeper no chance thus equalising just before half time to give home supporters hope that they would get on top .

The second half opened with Elburton's keeper being booked for cutting down Steve Hackett, just outside the penalty box. The resultant free kick flashed across the face of the goal but no-one could get a toe to the ball. Wayne Riley was then booked for speaking out of turn. Holsworthy were beginning to dominate and substitute Alan Clarke immediately set up a chance for Levi Landricombe to shoot across goal.

Elburton's Sam Hughes threw the ball away after a decision went against him and chose to disagree with the referee who unsurprisingly booked him also.

Another Holsworthy move with the ball played over the defenders led to Levi Landricombe's effort being superbly saved by the 'keeper, Elburton promptly responded by rattling Holsworthy's bar with a fine effort. Holsworthy were nearly caught out by a move which was demonstrably offside but the miss of the season by the opposition forward saved their skin. A final Holsworthy effort nearly resulted in a winning goal when a goalmouth scramble could have produced a goal, but a defender managed to clear the ball to safety.

In finality a draw was a fair result but Elburton will be much the happier, the heavy pitch mitigated against flowing football but if Holsworthy could have capitalised on the over-square defence the result would have been more positive. Nonetheless four points out of a possible six in the last two games is not a bad return but a win on Saturday would have been a seriously good result.

Levi Landricombe's introduction to the team is going to produce results, he is lightening fast but needs the ball played to him in the goal area, he cannot be expected to be out wide and in the middle at the same time. The spirit in the side is though so much better than early season, now helped not least by a solid defence and benefits will come shortly. Just wait for a dry pitch.

Holsworthy suffer the typical problem at this level of everybody making the effort but sometimes the game needs slowing down, taking stock of the situation, putting a foot on the ball and then changing the flow. As a largely new side this will come with experience.