Shirebrook progress in FA Vase as Joe Shaw bags three assists against Holwell

Shirebrook took a break from league action on Saturday afternoon as they headed to Holwell Sports in the FA Vase.

Shirebrook made the perfect start as they took the lead in just the second minute of the game. Joe Shaw’s long throw was headed away by a Holwell defender and the ball fell to Josh Tate on the edge of the box, who caught it on the volley and smashed it into the top corner.

Shirebrook were soon back on the attack looking to add to their lead with Ryan Parker and Kian Tansley having chances. In the 13th minute, Shirebrook did double their lead when Shaw found Tansley on the edge of the box with a corner. Tansley fired the ball through a crowd of players into the net.

Shirebrook capped off a fantastic opening 20  minutes when they got their third goal of the game. Another Shaw cross found Tansley at the back post and he headed into the bottom corner to get his second goal of the afternoon.

No sooner had the game restarted, Shirebrook almost had a fourth when yet another Shaw cross from the right found Ryan Parker. However, he couldn’t keep his header down as it went just over the bar.

As the game was heading towards half-time, Holwell were trying everything they could to get back into the contest and almost pulled a goal back when Gideon Neto tried his luck from distance.

Shirebrook goalkeeper Harrison Kissane produced a fantastic save to tip the ball over the bar but as the sides went in for the break it was Shirebrook who were in total control.

As the second half got underway it was the home side who started the stronger of the two. Sahil Bagavan and Andrew Boateng had chances for Holwell but in the 58th minute, Shirebrook added to the score-line when a free-kick from the right deflected off the wall into the path of Parker on the edge of the box, who managed to lob the Holwell keeper.