(SATURDAY)                                                                                                SWPL PREMIER WEST                                                            Holsworthy 1 Dobwalls 0

JEDD Peschke’s first half tap-in was enough as Holsworthy finally returned to action with a dogged 1-0 victory over fellow top-six hopefuls Dobwalls at Upcott Field.

The centre-half converted debutant Gary Clarke’s cross five minutes before the break to settle a drab game that had more incident before the game with one of the officials not turning up, which meant Dobwalls joint boss Brad Gargett ran the line for one half with a Holsworthy official doing the second.

The Magpies had not played since a 3-1 victory at Mullion back on November 11, but gave a debut to striker Gary Clarke, a recent acquisition from neighbours Bude Town.

Centre-half Lee Clarke was also back in the line-up as Ollie Moores moved into midfield, while Ryan Buckland and Jacob Nosworthy dropped down to the bench.

On a drab day in Torridge, both teams cancelled each other out from the start, although it was the visitors who shaded possession and territory in the first half without regularly troubling goalkeeper Ryan Chadwick.

It took until the 18th minute for the Dingos to do so as a cross in from the left eventually dropped at the feet of Kaycee Ogwu, whose effort was comfortably tipped over.

The game continued with a similar flow, while Holsworthy’s long balls over the top were penalised for offside.

Holsworthy scored with their first real chance on 40 minutes. Ollie Moores deep free-kick into the back post saw wing-back Gavin Carter fire the ball across the six-yard box from the byline for Peschke to slam past James Morley.

The Magpies had a decent chance to double their lead before the whistle as Peschke’s cut-back from the left was met by Clarke eight yards out, but leaning back, he scooped his effort over.

Holsworthy continued their momentum into the second half as within two minutes, a fine run down the left by striker Sam Jago saw the ball to Carter. He laid it off to Lewis Haxell, but his effort was brilliantly blocked.

Dobwalls flung plenty of crosses into the box, but the trio of Jake McLean, Lee Clarke and Peschke had no trouble getting them away.

Haxell fired just over before the hour, before sub Jacob Nosworthy was denied 15 minutes from time.

A third man run from midfielder Aidan Slade was spotted by Carter, and as he came in off the flank, his drive from ten yards was saved by Morley, and Nosworthy’s follow up was brilliantly blocked.

Dobwalls piled on the pressure in the closing stages, even forcing the Magpies to match up to a 4-3-3 as they won the midfield battle, but Chadwick was never seriously tested again as the hosts held on for a big three points.

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jake McLean, Lee Clarke, Jedd Peschke (capt); Gavin Carter, Ollie Moores, Aidan Slade, Lewis Haxell, Corey Sargent; Sam Jago, Gary Clarke. Subs (all used): Mark Horn, Jago Barriball, Cameron Heard, Ryan Buckland, Jacob Nosworthy.

Holsworthy man of the match: Jedd Peschke.