Handsworth FC 3-1 Wombwell Main

County Senior League Premier Division, Saturday 1st March 2014

An outstanding first half performance from Handsworth FC set the scene for victory over Wombwell Main as they recorded their tenth successive win.

The hosts took the lead in the twelfth minute of the match. Neat build up play between right back Ryan Goodinson and right winger Liam Greenfield was followed by a cross from the byline by the former and Alex Rippon struck a powerful header in at the far post.

Within three minutes the lead was doubled. Another cross from the right flank, this time by Greenfield and Nathan Morritt evaded his marker to double the lead.  

On 33 minutes it was 3-0; Goodinson again the architect. The cross from the right was parried by goalkeeper, James Oddie, but Lee Hudson was first to react and poke into the empty net with the keeper grounded. 

It was almost four with half-time looming. Captain Jordan Stocks’ corner resulted in a scramble within the penalty area; Darren Winters’ shot was then rocketed against the crossbar before the Wombwell defence cleared the ball off the line. 

Main’s performance in the second half was much improved and they were offered a route back into the game in the sixtieth minute. Ross Tutill dribbled beyond Liam Flint but was held back in the process and referee, Mr Ahmed, correctly pointed to the spot. Ryan Hallsworth stepped up and slotted calmly into the bottom left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 

Despite the improvements Wombwell made, they failed to further influence the outcome, losing the match 3-1. The result moves Handsworth up one place to 2^nd in the Premier Division table, whilst Wombwell remain 13^th.

The visitors began the tie brightly. Luke Winfield crafted two opportunities, first sending wide of the left post within the first minute of the game, before seeing his long-range shot parried by goalkeeper, Andrew Sneath.

However Handsworth proved themselves to be more clinical than their opposition with Rippon converting the first chance they had for 1-0 following Goodinson’s cross.

Their second, on their next attack, occurred in similar circumstance with a cross from the right and a header at the far post. This time Greenfield assisted Morritt to put the game beyond lowly Wombwell after just fifteen minutes played.

Wombwell’s confidence was seemingly exhausted by this quickfire rally. Mark Lutty was dispossessed by Winters who played the ball out wide to Morritt. From the byline the ball was then aimed towards the feet of Hudson, but the Oddie denied the striker with quick reactions.

League Cup holders Wombwell still continued to create chances. Adam Waller’s cross found Andrew Smith however the keeper was able to hold the effort which lost much of its sting due to a deflection.

But bar the occasional stray pass, Handsworth dictated the play at this stage. Their latest chance involved a deep Goodinson cross which was met by Winters who headed across goal but Morritt could not hit the target.

Wombwell’s Adam Waller looked vulnerable for the visitors, as crosses continued to be deployed primarily from Handsworth’s right flank, leading to two goals by this stage. The latest cross found Joe Austin unmarked at the far post, but the resulting effort flew over. However three minutes later another Goodinson cross fell to Hudson who profited from Oddie’s poor handling. 3-0.

Handsworth were unlucky not to score a fourth soon afterwards. A goal mouth scramble fell to Winters, but his effort hit the underside of the bar before being hoofed off the line. This was prior to Jordan Stocks long range effort floating harmlessly wide to conclude the first half.

The half-time team talks appeared to have opposite effects on the two sides, with Wombwell looking the more assured of the teams during the second period. On 57 minutes, Andrew Smith delivered a free-kick from the right which Nick Gill headed wide.

They were gifted a route back into the game when Liam Flirt pulled down Ross Tutill in the box; Ryan Hallsworth made no mistake from the spot.

This prompted Handsworth to seek to restore their three goal cushion; however their chances came to no avail. Hudson’s deflected shot went just wide; Jack Hall’s header from the following corner also failed to hit the target.

The closest the “Amber Army” came to extending the lead was through Hudson’s next effort which was spectacularly denied by the goalkeeper’s fingertips after the striker had been left unmarked.

Seven minutes later there were hearts in mouths as Goodinson’s cross was headed weakly by Rippon. However Nick Gill came dangerously close to heading into his own goal when attempting to clear his lines; the header rolling inches beside the post and behind for a corner much to their supporters relief.

With eleven minutes remaining Goodinson’s cross found substitute James Dawes at the far post, who unselfishly played the ball across the face of goal to fellow substitute Lee Thompson, however the Oddie demonstrated fine reflexes to deny Handsworth once more.

 A moment of comedy in the Handsworth defence almost allowed Luke Winfield to capitalise when a clearance struck a host defender a fell kindly into the striker’s path. Unfortunately for Winfield, he couldn’t convert the golden opportunity from the one-on-one.

In the 86^th minute Hallsworth’s effort from inside the box lacked power.

Still Wombwell created chances to reduce the deficit into stoppage time. Tutill’s cross found Winfield who was able to manoeuvre himself into a one-on-one position but he then missed the target. It is the kind of chance that Wombwell need to be taking advantage of in future weeks in their battle at the bottom of the table, with defeat leaving the side level on points with basement side High Green Villa. 

Handsworth FC Team: Andrew Sneath, Ryan Goodinson, Joe Austin, Liam Flint, Jack Hall, Jordan Stocks (captain), Liam Greenfield, Darren Winters, Nathan Morritt, Lee Hudson, Alex Rippon. Substitutes: Scott Bates, Luke Breadbent, James Dawes, Lee Thompson, Danny McDonald.

Wombwell Main Team: James Oddie, Matthew Tonks, Adam Waller, Scott Smith (captain), Nick Gill, Mark Lutty, Ryan Hallsworth, Connon Johnson, Luke Winfield, Ross Tutill, Andrew Smith. Substitutes: Ryan Bent, Johnathan Aiderson, Matthew Vaines, Alex Vaines, Richard Portman