Handsworth 4 Garforth 0

A returning Curtly Martin-Wyatt went close to opening the scoring twice in the first 10 mins, shooting wide from the edge of the box after two mins and on 8 mins from a Chris Simpkins corner, heading just past the post.

After giving the Garforth defence no end of problems for Nostell last month at Cedar Ridge, Danny Critchlow was to do the same again in a Handsworth shirt after signing for them 10 days ago. Ben Hunter did well to get a hand to the ball to block him from rounding him and surely finding the net on 10 mins. Critchlow went close again six mins later after some good football on the left, evading challenges and firing just over the bar. Linking up well with Critchlow was fellow striker Lee Whittington who tested Hunter with a low shot from just outside the box which he just held.

It was then our turn for a good spell, on 24 mins a hard working Luke Mangham did brilliantly to win the ball in midfield and charge into the area but Andrew Sneath in the Handsworth goal did just enough to stop him getting a sight on goal. Some good football on the right three mins later ended in Jay Davis firing just over the bar from about 25 yards.

Down the other end on 35 mins Critchlow almost put the hosts ahead with a header from a free kick which Hunter saved. Town came closest in injury time, a free kick being cleared to Davis who’s sweet strike flashed just wide.

A game which at half time was evenly poised, one sensed the next goal would be crucial. The Miners continued to create chances early in the second half; Andy Hawksworth on 50 mins playing in Martin-Wyatt who shook off his man and shot just over from a narrow angle. Then the chance we would go on to wonder what if? A Simpkins corner finding Glen Wood who’s header was agonizingly tipped over by Sneath.

Then two key moments on 54 and 61 mins completely changed the game. Trying to play out of danger, Sam Akeroyd slipped on the ball, giving it straight to Critchlow who found Whittington to smash home past Hunter.
Davis then let himself and his teammates down in an incident where he picked up the ball after being challenged out wide and spotting the linesman half-heartedly raised his flag. The referee then gave a foul for handball, Davis threw the ball in frustration at the linesman leaving the referee little option but to send him for an early bath.

Sandwiched between those events Nick Black had a good chance on 56’ from a position similar to Curtly’s earlier, shooting just over the bar after some good work on the right. Shortly after Sam Smith headed over a cross from James Cotterill (?) out wide. And back at the other end again Hawksworth almost equalised after breaking clear but was denied by a last-ditch header.

Town struggled thereafter to get a foothold in the game and the defence struggled to cope with the constant pressure from the hosts who never looked back. Hunter pulled off a brilliant save from Whittington on 71 mins after a delivery from Richard Tootle. On 76 mins it was 2-0 when Whittington won a challenge with Jassim Alali and charged forward to score with a fine finish into the top corner.

Craig Tonkinson and Jack McCarthy were brought on to try and change things, only for the Parras to introduce experienced former Sheffield and Goole AFC striker Vill Powell who created their third and fourth. On 83 mins Powell stormed down the wing to link up with Smith who stroked the ball home. Further salt was rubbed into the wound two mins later when Powell beat McCarthy on the right and squared for Scott Maxfield to volley into the net.

There was one good chance for Town on 90 mins when Tawanda Rupere made a good run down the right, his ball inside cleared to Hawskworth who forced a save from Sneath. Sadly it just wasn’t T’s day, possibly due to his Handsworth connections.
A ruthless final third from the home side (who it later transpired had relieved their manager of his duties hours before) to inflict the biggest competitive defeat in Graham’s reign. Sadly no midweek fixture to try and erase painful memories so Maltby at home it will hopefully be next Saturday.