A few short weeks ago Tadcaster Albion’s manager, Billy
Miller said after his table topping sides defeat at the hands of Staveley
Miners Welfare that there would be a few more twists and turns in the title
race before the end of the season and how right he was… back then (24th
Feb) there were four teams right in the mix…
… now? its seems to be a two horse race Between Albion and
Staveleys opponents this evening -
Handsworth Parramore who just sat one point behind the leaders but having
played a game more.
With Tadcaster losing the night before not only was this a
big game given the proximity of the two clubs but one that could go a long way
to deciding the outcome of the title race…
.
Kurtis Morely clearly did enough during his substitute
appearance to warrant inclusion from the start this time around and he took up
a central midfield role alongside Steve Carty. Dan Fletcher came in for
Courtney Hastings upfront and there were changes at the back too with Alex Pugh
moved to right back Chris Baugh partnering Richard Mintoft in the centre as
Matt Varley served the final match of his suspension, but was still around
offering his advice from the side lines and Greg Fitzpatrick came in at left
back.
So would Staveley put a spanner in the Parramore title
works, like they had done to Tadcaster’s? Well it started well enough
a nice passing move started in the attacking third of the
pitch by Greg Fitzpatrick who after
receiving his throw back from Steve Carty, touched it past Stephen Warne
and passed square and right to Kurtis
Morely, who opened his body up and helped the ball over to Alex Pugh on the
right flank he via Adam Scott found Dan Fletcher who ran across the box holding
off the challenge of Warne again and checked back to find Kurtis Morely who
dinked the ball into the area trying to find the run of Jamie Brown but he was
beaten to it by Billy Wright who knocked the ball to safety and out for a
corner…
it wasn’t that safe however as from that corner taken by
Adam Scott, Jamie Brown got in front of his marker and headed the Trojans into
the lead.
Staveley MW 1 – 0 Handsworth Parramore
Despite being in several good attacking situations after the
opening goal….Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Staveley.
Parramore were forced into a change on twenty minutes with
Mitchell Ward leaving the field to be replaced by Alex Rippon and ten or so
minutes later he got the goal that sparked his side into life although what he
actually knew about it remains to be seen. A cross from the left dropped just
out of the reach of Nick Siddons in goal for Staveley who was under pressure
from Kieran Wells, and instead hit Rippon who wheeled away to celebrate after
it trickled over the line.
Staveley MW 1 – 1 Handsworth Parramore
The visitors took the lead just 5 minutes later when they
broke following a poorly taken Staveley corner... John Froggtt chased a hopeful
looking ball forward which Chris Baugh and Nick Siddons looked to have dealt
with Baugh holding Froggatt off whilst Siddons booted clear, except Siddons
missed the kick and Froggatt pounced on the loose ball to steer in from a
difficult angle from the left hand corner edge of the area
Staveley MW 1 – 2 Handsworth Parramore
Two became three just before halftime when Alex Rippon
scored with a header from a Danny Buttle corner from the right.
HT: Staveley MW 1 – 3 Handsworth Parramore
And it went from bad to worse for the Trojans as try as they
might they just couldn’t get anything decent going in an attacking sense, but Jamie
Brown did force a save from Archie Sneath following a dribble from halfway
where he beat three players before getting a shot away.
Any faint hopes of a comeback were extinguished by two quick
goals after the hour both coming from John Froggatt to complete his hattrick.
Kieren Wells brought down a flicked on throw-in in the box
and laid it off for Froggatt to strike from 7 yards out making it, on 63
minutes.
Staveley MW 1 – 4 Handsworth Parramore
And a minute later as Staveley pushed forward Kieran Wells
turned provider again breaking down the right and crossing for Froggatt who had
the time to take a touch and plant the ball past Nick Siddons.
Staveley MW 1 – 5 Handsworth Parramore
To their credit Staveley kept going, kept trying and Greg
Fitzpatricks long range effort had Archie Sneath scrambling a bit but
unfortunately it went just wide hitting the stanchion holding the netting in
place behind the goal but, It wasn’t long before the Trojans net bulged again
and Alex Rippon made a claim on the match ball as he too completed his hattrick
tapping home a Danny Buttle squared ball across the box.
Staveley MW 1 – 6
Handsworth Parramore
Staveley did grab another consolation goal when following an
Adam Scott corner which hit the far post Jamie Brown after play had been
recycled played in Kurtis Morley with a deft reverse pass and his shot arrowed
in at the far post for what was arguably the goal of the game.
FT: Staveley MW 2 – 6 Handsworth Parramore
A poor night for Staveley as Handsworth Parramore went top
of the league taking a huge step towards the title and their season beginning
aim of promotion.
Attendance: 172
SMWFC Line up: 1.Nick Siddons.2.Alex Pugh.3.Greg
Fitzpatrick.4.Kurtis Morely.5.Chris Baugh.6.Richard Mintoft.7.Adam
Scott.8.Steve Carty.(14.Tom Gambles).9.Dan Fletcher (Courtney Hastings).10.Kieren
Watson.11.Jamie Brown.
Subs Not Used: 16.Lewis Naylor.17.Charlie Oglesby
