Manager Terry Hincks handed a debut to keeper Adam Rigby in the absence of Dane Smith and Reserve Team regular Kieron Crosthwaite made his first start in the first team following Matthew German’s one game suspension.
Cheadle made a positive start to the game and broke the deadlock as early as 7 minutes when a short corner found the feet of Rhys Webb who slotted the ball into the net.
Cheadle soon doubled their lead on 14 minutes as George Blackwell played an inch-perfect pass to Justin Pickering on the edge of the area, and the striker advanced a few yards before firing low into the corner of the goal.
Holker were awarded a penalty on 16 minutes when Jack Lever was adjudged to have fouled a player in the box. Luckily for Cheadle debutant Adam Rigby pulled off a spectacular save with his legs to deny Holker a goal.
Cheadle continued to press for another goal and Pickering and Webb were both unlucky with efforts. Then on 28 minutes a fumbled corner by the Holker keeper presented Liam Tongue with the easiest of volleys at the back post to give Cheadle a 3-0 lead.
HT: Cheadle Town 3 Holker Old Boys 0
Holker must’ve received the ‘hairdryer’ treatment at half-time as they came out in the second half looking more of a threat going forward.
Holker were rewarded for their efforts on 62 minutes when their striker headed home from close range.
The match then seemed to lack the quality of the first half as Holker players seemed more intent on arguing with the match officials over decisions made against them.
Regardless, whilst the second half may not have been a pretty affair, Cheadle did enough to claim the points from their first half performance and managed to ride out the second half to claim all three points.
FT: Cheadle Town 3 Holker Old Boys 1