Belper Town back to winning ways against Handsworth Parramore

Picture: Skipper Alex Peterson bags his first goal for the Nailers (Credit to Tim Harrison)

Belper Town’s superior second half showing saw them cruise to a comfortable win against Handsworth whose side fielded a number of former Nailers including the legendary John Froggatt who also skippered the visitors.

Hayden Goddard was in the Handsworth line up having played at Belper as recently as last season while Jordan Turner and Lee Cooksey have both pulled on a yellow shirt in recent seasons.

Visiting manager James Colliver also enjoyed a successful spell at the Marston’s and no doubt wanted to put one over Belper’s recently appointed manager Grant Black in their first ever game against the Nailers.

Belper had an early opportunity to go ahead when Ross Haig’s effort was well saved by Phil Barnes - this inside the first minute, and the Belper player went close again in the 10th minute after receiving Anton Daniels’ assist and shooting just wide.

Defender Danny Burns saw a 12th minute volley stopped by the ‘keeper before Cameron Clark’s perfectly timed tackle prevented Handsworth’s Jordan Turner having a clear strike on goal.

John Froggatt’s clever flick just went wide a minute later which heralded a better spell for the visitors, and during this time the Nailers looked less of a dominant force.

However Anton Daniels could have relieved the pressure on 37 minutes after going on a mazy run that carved open a great shooting opportunity that he put over the bar.

The visitors looked menacing leading up to the break and should have taken the on the stroke of half time after Max Beardmore had saved brilliantly to parry Lee Hill’s header, but Jordan Turner was a little too nonchalant in his approach which allowed Beardmore to block his follow up effort.

If Handsworth had edged the first half on points, the second belonged totally to Belper.

Marcus Day, and Joel Ambalu came on a s substitutes at half time to be followed 3 minutes later by Danny Gordon and immediately things looked far more promising.

Firstly Max Beardmore had to deal with a John Froggatt volley in the 48th minute but this was a rare opportunity afforded to a prolific striker who bagged 150 goals for Belper during some of the most successful years at Belper.

On 50 minutes Callum Lloyd saw a powerful header well saved then good link up play with Joel Ambalu ended with the former North Ferriby striker shooting just past the far post.

The Nailers had not only upped the tempo but the quality also and the visitors started to struggle with the pace of the moves that the Nailers were stringing together.

On 60 minutes Belper broke the deadlock when Alex Peterson soared above everyone to nod a Danny Gordon cross into the net.
Within 10 minutes Belper had made the scoreline more comfortable although it was an error by the Handsworth ‘keeper that allowed Danny Burns the chance to score from close in.

Marcus Day hit a wonderful shot from 35 yards that the ‘keeper saved with equal brilliance, and as the game came to its conclusion, Day and Nathan Curtis both had shots saved as the Nailers ended on a high note.

Belper Town. Max Beardmore, Darryl Lucas (J Eldridge 65), Cameron Clark (F Butcher 73), Ricky Paylor, Danny Burns, Sam Colbear, Jake Ellam (D Gordon 45), Callum Lloyd (N Curtis 70), Alex Peterson (D Garnett 77), Anton Daniels (M Day 45), Ross Haig (J Ambalu 45).

Referee: Richard Eley.