HOLSWORTHY made it four games unbeaten to start the season with a deserved point at Elburton Villa.

The Magpies headed to the outskirts of Plymouth following a 4-0 victory at Millbrook on Saturday, while Villa were looking to bounce back from a 3-2 reversal at Penzance.

Holsworthy boss Kevin Squire had to do without midfielder Aiden Slade who was ill, and gave a debut to Tavistock’s Tallan Burns who is helping the club when needed until the end of September.

Haye Road is a notoriously tough place to get a result and the home side included plenty of players full of experience at Western League level and higher.

But Holsworthy are a tough proposition and the first half saw neither side really create any chances, although it was Elburton who enjoyed more of the ball and in the visitors’ final third.

Squire instructed his side to clear their lines with more purpose after the restart and got his wish as within the first five minutes they twice went close.

First, striker Elis Aldrich finished off a throughball from strike partner Ben Sharpe, but was correctly ruled to have been offside, while soon after Sharpe could only find the sidenetting from a tight angle.

All four travelling subs – Sam Hill, Josh Down, Joe Barker and Chris Wildern were introduced – as Squire looked to freshen the side up.

The hosts did have a good chance 20 minutes from time when a move down the right saw a shot across goal saved by Ryan Chadwick’s feet, but that was about it.

Elburton piled on the pressure in the closing stages, but the visiting defence – led by superb performances at the back from man-of-the-match Callum Martyn and skipper Jedd Peschke – hung on to make it eight points from a possible 12.

Reflecting on the game, Squire told the Post: “Going to a team who are much-fancied to be towards the top of the league, we battled and worked hard and I thought a draw was a fair result.

“We weren’t overawed or intimidated at a really tough place to go.

“We defended really bravely and I was really pleased with everyone, including the subs, and everyone put a real big shift in.”

Squire continued: “Callum (Martyn) and Jedd (Peschke) were both superb and Callum, who was up against a really good player at this level, I don’t think he lost a duel all night.

“Jay and Tallan were also really good in the middle of the park and got through a lot of work.”

Many thought taking on a side that punched above their weight last term maybe a difficult challenge, but Squire believes his side are on the right track.

He continued: “Going into the season I didn’t set any expectations and I certainly won’t be doing that now.

“It’s about letting the players go out there and play and express themselves, and they’re doing that.

“We’ve only conceded one goal so far and scored several so we’re doing well, but there are occasions like last night where you’ve really got to defend well and battle. We were brilliant in that respect.”

Holsworthy are back in action on Saturday when they visit newly-promoted Falmouth Town Reserves (3pm).

Squire continued: We’re really looking forward to it, we know it’ll be a tough place to go but it’s a nice ground and with the way we’re going at the moment, we can’t wait for each game.

“We’re happy with what we’ve got in terms of the squad, it’s looking very good at the moment.

“If a player comes along who we feel will really add to us then we’ll look at it, but everyone at present deserves their spot so there’s no need to change that.”

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Callum Martyn, Jedd Peschke (capt), Kieran Jollow; Gavin Carter, Tallan Burns, Rob Pearce, Jay Thomas, Will Harris; Elis Aldrich, Ben Sharpe. Subs (all used): Sam Hill, Josh Down, Chris Wildern, Joe Barker.

Magpies’ man-of-the-match: Callum Martyn.