Kieron Wells seemingly sends the League Cup into extra-time after equalising for Handsworth Parramore in the last minute
Handsworth Parramore lifted the League Cup after completing one of the greatest comebacks in Toolstation Northern Counties East League history with the sensational 4-3 victory over Cleethorpes Town.
All hope looked lost with six minutes remaining as Parramore were trailing 3-1 as the Premier Division’s top goalscorer Brody Robertson had rattled home a superb hat-trick for Cleethorpes.
But, Lee McFarland’s red card gave Handsworth hope and Kieron Wells brought them back from the dead to seemingly send the final to extra-time.
That was until handled and Sam Smith was able to score from the penalty spot to spark pandemonium inside Staveley’s Inkersall Road stadium and cap off a remarkable game.
The unforgettable finale was a fitting conclusion to a brilliant season in both NCEL Divisions.
The final was predicted to be a classic, but few would have envisaged the magnitude of the drama.
Sam Smith cancels out Brody Robertson’s first half goal
Smith celebrates with Wells
Cleethorpes felt the goal should have been ruled out for a foul on goalkeeper Liam Higton
Cleethorpes fans celebrate Robertson’s third goal which appeared to have won them the trophy
Handsworth players appeal to referee Jane Simms after Julian Lawrence is kicked by Lee McFarland
The turning point: Lee McFarland is shown the red card
Both sides have finished the Premier Division season strongly so went into the final in good form.
Handsworth were the dominant team in the first half, but Peter Duffield’s men found themselves a goal down.
Robertson muscled his way into the Handsworth box and clinched the golden boot with a powerful strike.
Handsworth had plenty in response. Substitute Gareth Davies saw a goal-bound effort pushed onto the post before Smith forced home the equaliser in a separate chance.
Parramore failed to come out for the second half in the same vain and Cleethorpes took advantage.
Robertson completed his treble with two fine strikes which got their Owl mascot dancing both times alongside the club’s huge travelling support.
Cleethorpes appeared to be comfortably heading back to Lincolnshire with the trophy until their afternoon started collapsing in the 71st minute.
The Owls’ recent discipline problems continued as McFarland crazily kicked out at Julian Lawrence in the penalty area after the ball had gone out for a goal kick.
Referee Jane Simms sent McFarland packing to no complaints and initially awarded a spot kick until her assistant Henry Naylor reminded her that the ball was dead at the time of the offence.
Hope: Wells celebrates after making it 3-2
Wells converts from close range to equalise in the last minute
Wells runs away to celebrate
Handsworth appeal for a penalty after Luke Mascall handles
Jane Simms tells Liam Higton to get back in his goal
Smith celebrates scoring the winner
At first, the sending-off did not affect Cleethorpes. But, as soon as Handsworth threw caution to the wind, they started crumbling which helped bring about the incredible grandstand finish.
Wells, who scored a three minute hat-trick on his debut for the club in March, got Parramore back into it with a powerful header.
The onslaught continued and the leveller was now inevitable. Cleethorpes were having to deal with a number of high bombs and eventually one dropped nicely for Luke Fletcher. The midfielder headed the ball back into the six-yard box and Wells buried it in the first minute of added time.
Although extra-time was the likely outcome, there was only one winner from then on. Parramore came forward again and a handball by Lawrence Heward led to the penalty. Showing nerves of steel, Parramore’s hero Smith fired home from 12 yards to round off a stunning finale and earn Handsworth their first piece of silverware as a merged club in unforgettable circumstances.
It was a heartbreaking finish for Newell’s highly-rated young charges, but football can be cruel sometimes.
Peter Duffield described Handsworth’s victory as the most incredible game he had been involved in
Champions – Handsworth Parramore
Handsworth lift the League Cup
The whole Handsworth team with the trophy
The heroes: Sam Smith (left) and Kieron Wells (right)
Handsworth Parramore manager Peter Duffield:
“Madness, crazy, unbelievable and a great advert for the Northern Counties East League.
“Give credit to Cleethorpes because they are a good team and I rate them so highly and I said that to the manager (Marcus Newell) before the game.
“I was disappointed that it was one-each at half-time. They had a couple of chances, but I thought we had more and their goalkeeper was excellent.
“It was a great game of football, but one team has to lose. If that was us who lost in than fashion I would be devastated. Fair play to my players to win the game at 3-1 down with five minutes to go. It just shows you that this game is never over.
“At 3-1 I thought it was over because my players’ body language looked like it was all over. But with them down to ten and when we got the goal back, all of a sudden the whole dynamics of the game changed.
“They suddenly started thinking ‘oh god’ and it gave us a massive injection of energy. I did think we had a chance of getting the draw and taking it to extra-time, but I thought there was no chance of us going onto win it in normal time.
“I have been involved in some amazing games, but not in a game like that. Anyone who has come through the gate today has had their money’s worth.”
Cleethorpes Town: Higton, Mascall, Kingston (McFarland HT), Peck, Heward, Hanslip, Oglesby, Flett, Cooper, Robertson, Kennedy (Trott 60). Subs unused: Richardson, L.Grant, D.Grant.
Handsworth Parramore: Snaith, Harrison (Tootle 84), Starosta, Marrison (Davies 29), Lawrence, Adams (captain), Rippon, Fletcher, Smith, Wells, Buttle (Holden 84). Subs unused: Ratcliffe, Edridge.
Referee: Jane Simms
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 376
Man of the match: Kieron Wells (Handsworth Parramore)