Trojans fall to defeat in final game of 2020!

It's been just shy of 300 days since Inkersall Road last welcomed back-to-back competitive games for Staveley's first team.

The match had sold out tickets the day before as Trojans fans went to see their side try and right the wrong from a week previous.

On the back of a disappointing 3-1 defeat, Staveley welcomed Handsworth, a side who had made a few new signings on the back of a 9-1 thrashing a

t the hands of Bolsover.

Injuries meant that Brett Marshall were left with limited options for a starting eleven, but Tomas Poole made it back onto the bench after a lengthy injury.

After a rather even start between the two sides, Reives Boocock had the better of the chances between the two sides when he rounded ex-Trojan goalkeeper, Ben Townsend, but from an acute angle couldn't quite hit the target.

It was the visitor's who broke the deadlock though when Leon Howarth found himself with space to run into before his effort from 25-yards o

ut was enough to beat Myles Wright.

That goal gave confidence to Handsworth who started to take control of the game and became a threat from set-pieces, Luke McGinnell's header looped over Wright before being headed clear off the line by Matty Davies.

Frustration started to settle in for Staveley who struggled to find a way back into the game and when Charlie Oglesby committed a foul just outside the area. Juan Xavier's exceptionally well taken free-kick sailed into the top-corner to double to visitor's advantage.

With no changes made at half-time, Marshall had sent his players back out with the mentality that saw them end last season top of the NCEL Premier.

Mitch Langton's free-kick from 20 yards out rattled the cross bar before going out for a goal-kick after Robson Doolan was fouled on the edge of the area.

As Handsworth continued to test the Trojan def

ence, eventually the attack found a way through, James Oliver's effort was blocked by an on-running Ross Goodwin, who then placed the ball past Wright to make it 3-0 to the visitors.

Clement Fullington came on for James Oliver as the first change for Handsworth and he contributed straight away. His run down the right hand side was pulled back for Samuel Smith to convert putting the game beyond doubt.

As the game reached it's conclusion, Tomas Poole's return from injury was a sign of good news and when his well-hit free kick was parried by Townsend, Boocock was on hand to convert on the second time of asking to make it 4-1.

This would, however, prove to be nothing more than a consolation goal as Staveley fall to back-to-back home defeats and end 2020 just outside of the relegation zone in the NCEL Premier Division.

Up next: Saturday 2nd January (Home) vs. Penistone Church

Line up: Wright, Parkin, Webster, Foulkes (Kay), Eades (Oglesby), Hough, Davies (Poole), Doolan, Boocock, Gibbons, Langton. Subs not used: Clegg, Froggatt