SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Holsworthy 1 Wendron United 1

GAVIN Carter’s second half header earned a much-changed Holsworthy side a deserved draw with fourth-placed Wendron United at Upcott Field on Saturday.

This was the Magpies’ fourth game this week, and remarkably their third in three days after Thursday’s Torridge Cup final defeat and a draw against Newquay on Friday night in a game played by the reserves.

Holsworthy were playing their seventh league game in a fortnight, a quite ridiculous ask of a semi-professional player, but boss Ryan Hall was able to bring back his first team squad, although coach Liam Slade had to start in midfield.

Young striker Bruno Bundey was given his first start at Peninsula League level.

Holsworthy started slowly again and visiting centre-half Russell May nodded in a free-kick from the left after just three minutes.

Wendron enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half, but bar a couple of corners, the home defence were comfortable.

Holsworthy’s first chance saw a Gavin Carter free-kick easily saved by Zach Telling, while soon after home man of the match Sam Jago could have done better with a lob from goalkeeper Ryan Chadwick’s long ball.

The hosts switched to a 4-4-2 diamond in the second half and it helped shore up the middle of the park.

Although chances were at a premium, the leveller came on 75 minutes as Jacob Nosworthy’s superb ball back into the box was headed home on the bounce by Carter.

Chadwick did brilliantly to tip a long range shot over the bar late on, but Holsworthy’s players had done the club proud.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Callum Martyn, Ryan Buckland, Jedd Peschke (capt), Mark Horn; Toby Martyn, Aiden Slade, Liam Slade; Sam Jago, Bruno Bundey, Gavin Carter. Subs: Jamie Ball, Cory Sargent, Will Harris, Jacob Nosworthy.

Holsworthy man of the match: Sam Jago.