Handsworth 2 Garforth 0

The unavailability of Sam Leach and Dan Coupland, the signings of Alfie Raw (midfield) and Josh Winn (striker) and the return from holidays of Rinor Ejupi saw a much-changed line-up take the field at Olivers Mount. Raw and Winn went straight into the starting lineup as did Sam Denton who joined Harry Viggars and Jamie Barkway in a three-man defence. Matt Antcliff was given a job as wingback over Kieran Clayton, and finally there was a return for evergreen Town legend Lee Turner who took a seat on the bench.

There was an early setback when Denton took a knock on 7 mins and had to be replaced by Duke Witter, prompting a defensive reshuffle. A competitive start to the game saw few clear-cut chances, but by the 20-min mark The Miners were the better side. There were shades of our last outing at Whitley Bay though as the final ball or finish was lacking. Ejupi's fierce drive was kept out at the near post by Handsworth keeper Dylan Parkin after a foray forward by Tabish Hussain, then Josh Winn saw a downward header saved after Sam Barker did well to pick him out from the byeline. From a Witter cross Barker then forced a stop from Parkin at close range, the keeper spilling the ball against the foot of the post, but the midfielder was penalised in any case for offside. Winn shot straight at Parkin when set up by Ejupi's foray along the right wing as Town couldn't make their chances count.

The home side enjoyed a couple of their own towards the end of the half; Toby Wells punching clear Alfie Dodsworth's drive, then Mitch Dunne could only shoot weakly at Wells after a ball in from the left wasn't cleared.

Back down the other end Winn was unlucky not to grab a debut goal when put through by Witter and finishing well through Parkin's legs, but was ruled offside. Ejupi then fired wide from a narrow angle after the ball was worked along the right flank.

The half time whistle was probably more welcome for the home side than the visitors, and they responded with two quick-fire goals early in the second period to completely change the game. A free-kick was played forward to Dodsworth on the edge of the box who put The Ambers ahead with a fizzing strike across Wells into the bottom corner. An error at the back gifted them their second; Barkway's back-pass was short and was pounced upon by Kieran Wells who beat his stranded namesake and found the empty net (although thankfully without crouching on all fours and heading over the line as he did at the Bannister Prentice Stadium in similar circumstances a few years ago).

The goals took the wind out of Town's sails and it took until the 73rd minute for us to fashion a response of our own. Some away fans (including your reporter) were cheering a goal back when substitute Turner looked to have found the net on his return with a curling strike after a driving run by fellow sub Louis Silva, but the ball had sadly hit the side netting. A free-kick in a good position saw Parkin keep Town out with a double save, first from Jason Davis' well-taken effort, then from Raw at close range.

Sadly a repeat of the Garforth heroics seen in our last league visit here almost a year ago wasn't in prospect and Barkway's involvement was ended seconds from injury time when he was sent to the sin-bin for words said to the referee. The home side almost profited by grabbing an arguably harsh third when Craig Nelthorpe found himself free in the box after the ball was played in from the right, but could only fire over the bar.

Another frustrating game where finishing was the main difference between the two sides, with The Miners falling short once again despite their efforts. With Saturday's opponents Albion Sports in FA Cup action, we sit out another weekend and head to current league leaders Knaresborough Town next Tuesday 22nd August (kick-off 3pm).