Lee Whittington celebrates opening the scoring for Handsworth Parramore in their 3-0 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels
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Words and pictures by James Grayson (@jamesAgrayson, @NonLeagueNorth)
Russ Eagle admits he has been given a selection headache ahead of the big Toolstation NCEL Premier Division kick off next Saturday.
His Handsworth Parramore team cruised to an impressive 3-0 victory over Evo Stik Division One South side Stocksbridge Park Steels with 11 regulars missing.
Eagle had to upon the resources of the club’s successful under 19s team to play against Stocksbridge and they played so well that the Handsworth boss may have to re-jig his original plans for the opening day clash with Glasshoughton Welfare.
Handsworth comfortably saw off the challenge of their higher-league opponents with Lee Whittington grabbing two goals and under 19s player Will Eades sealing the win in the second half at Sandy Lane.
The nightmare afternoon for the Steels was compounded by the red card for midfielder James Knowles late-on and Eagle admitted his happiness with his side’s performance.
“We had probably 11 lads who probably be in the 16 next Saturday who were missing through work, injuries, stag do’s, the usual things,” he told Non League Yorkshire.
“The depth we have got at the moment with the club merging is great and we pulled six under 19s in today and they don’t look out of place.
“It’s made my job a bit harder for next week as the squad has gone from 19 players to 26 for 16 places (against Glasshoughton).
“The positives today were that we haven’t conceded. We tried to play the right way.
“The opposition were not what I expected. To be fair, the last 25 minutes were really easy and too easy for a team in the Evo Stik.
“I said to the lads in the changing room that that won’t happen in the NCEL this season.
“But, that was only because of how we played and I’m happy with how we played.”
Handsworth’s Callum Ward heads the ball back across the six yard box for the opening goal
Stocksbridge goalkeeper Liam Flynn spills the ball
Handsworth striker Lee Whittington opens the scoring
Stocksbridge were not at the races from the start. Handsworth goalkeeper Luke Herriott did not have a real shot to save and that will be of great concern to Steels chief Hilton.
Hilton was missing himself as he was at a wedding and the Steels did not have Nathan Joynes and Lee Garside available so they were weakened.
But, the performance still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth with only two weeks until the season opening trip to Norton United.
New goalkeeper Liam Flynn also had a day to forget.
Flynn let Callum Ward’s header slip through his hands for the first goal after just ten minutes. The ball dropped to the ground inside the six-yard box and predatory striker Whittington was on hand to score.
It didn’t get any better from there for Stocksbridge. A long ball forward looked straightforward for Flynn to rush out and clear. However, Flynn swung at the ball and mis-kicked it.
Whittington capitalised and slotted the ball into the empty net from the edge of the box.
Stocksbridge goalkeeper Liam Flynn completely mis-cues his clearance
Lee Whittington takes advantage by slotting home from distance for Handsworth’s second goal
A third goal nearly materialised towards half-time as the club’s new signing Nicky Travis saw a shot flash wide.
The second half continued in the same vein. Flynn made a couple of good saves before the third goal arrived – thanks to two of Handsworth’s youngsters.
Josh Dacre’s fine cross was met by an even better header from Eades. The youngster planted the ball in the top corner and with the post, the ball landed over the goal-line.
Within minutes, the day got even for the Steels. Already booked midfielder Knowles made one too many bad challenges on Travis and referee Chris Ward, one of the best officials in South Yorkshire, showed him his yellow card.
Knowles is now likely to miss the first game of the season at Norton.
The Steels have plenty of work to do before then, while Handsworth are clearly ready to go – it’s just Eagle who has the hard task of picking his team after yesterday’s performance.
Handsworth Parramore: Herriott, Johnson, Tootle, Griffiths, Thompson, Hudson, Fletcher, Travis, Whittington, Hill, Ward. Subs: Dawes, Chappell, Eades, Dacre, Trialist.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Flynn, Payne, Turner, Senior, Lawlor, Laight, Shillito, Knowles, Dyer-Stewart, D Joynes, White. Subs: Schofield, Biggins.
Referee: Chris Ward (South Yorkshire)
Attendance: 74