Dugdale scores hat-trick for Handsworth

Toolstation NCEL Premier Division

Handsworth Parramore 5-1 Staveley MW

Tom Dugdale’s time at Handsworth Parramore has begun with a bang after he scored a hat-trick against Staveley.

Dug dale, whose form at Thackley last season was exceptional, was at the heart of the demolition of Staveley. It took his tally to four goals.

It was actually the visitors who started on the front foot though, penning The Ambers back and they should have really tested Joe Green on 16 minutes when they found room in the box but twice failed to connect properly and the chance was gone.

They were made to pay for their failure to convert just four minutes later when a deep Simon Harrison cross evaded keeper Eley and was swept home at the far post by Tom Dugdale for his second goal of the season.

The left winger then turned provider, setting up Conor Higginson who just failed to control an attempted volley before the front man then sent a spectacular bicycle kick wide from a Harrison cross.

Staveley finally called Green into action when Jamie Coulson got on the end of a ball in by Baugh but it was a comfortable save, however in the next minute the keeper was beaten by a low strike from Leigh Hutchinson which nestled into the bottom corner of the net.

The equaliser was testament to the scorer’s good work on the by-line which created the opportunity, and was no more than the visitors deserved.

Handsworth almost regained the lead a minute later but Colin Marrison’s header from Dugdale’s corner just cleared the bar with the keeper beaten. The Ambers faithful did not have to wait too much longer however, and two goals in the space of two minutes as half time approached put paid to any hopes that The Trojans may have had of causing an upset.

Firstly, a delightful turn and pass by Higginson played in Dugdale who fed Jon Froggatt in the box. The hit man controlled the ball, found space and fired home for the fifth consecutive competitive game, and shortly afterwards, the away defence was breached again when Dugdale was again Johnny–on–the–spot as he converted a Higginson shot which fell at his feet.

The early stages of the second period were fairly even, the best chances being a couple of long distance strikes from Higginson, which was spilled by Eley, and from Micky Harcourt which just missed the far post. The Ambers fourth goal duly arrived just before the hour, and what a beauty it was, Harrison curling one home from 20 yards to open his account for the season after Steve Warne had set him up.

The hardworking Higginson almost netted his first goal for Handsworth two minutes later but his clever far post flick from Dugdale’s cross hit the bar, before Harcourt stung the keeper’s fingers with a rasping drive which Eley did well to tip over. With four minutes remaining, Ellis misjudged a long ball forward, allowing substitute Danny Holland to get in behind him. The big man flicked the ball over Eley but the ball came back off the post and who else but Dugdale was on hand to complete his treble.

Thanks to Ian Robinson for this report.