AFTER Keiran Stares’ hat-trick had secured the spoils in midweek, Pickering Town were brought back down to Earth on Saturday with a 6-2 demolition at Handsworth in the NCEL Premier Division.
The South Yorkshire side had secured their last home victory against the Pikes back in March, and there was no stopping them as they repeated the feat against their 10-man opponents.
Handsworth didn’t look back after breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, racing into a three-goal lead before former York City youngster George Harrison pulled a goal back for Pickering shortly before the break.
Things worsened for the visitors during the second half with Connor Avison sent off after two yellow cards.
The hosts extended their lead from the penalty spot before going on to add two further goals to wrap up victory with 15 minutes to spare.
Sam Calvert salvaged some late pride for Pickering but it was too little, too late to prevent a heavy defeat.
Handsworth came out of the blocks well, with Alfie Burnett called into action to thwart both Mitch Dunne and Ollie Fearon in the opening stages.
Stares’ long-range effort fizzed over the bar as Pickering looked for a response, but it wasn’t long until they fell behind.
After winning the ball back inside the centre circle, Johno Williams fed Dunne, whose right-wing cross-shot flew over Burnett and nestled into the bottom corner.
Williams turned provider again four minutes later, with Joe Parkin meeting his pinpoint cross to head home Handsworth’s second.
Dunne crashed an effort off the post before the hosts added a third shortly after the half-hour when Ozzie Radford’s long throw was flicked on to Luca Defalco, whose well-struck volley found its way into the back of the net through a sea of bodies.
Pickering though did pull a goal back six minutes before the break, Harrison pouncing on a loose ball before firing past Mikey Roxburgh.
The visitors looked to carry that momentum into the second half, with Ben Silburn curling narrowly wide.
But Avison was cautioned for a clumsy challenge on halfway, and it wasn’t long until he was given his marching orders after protesting a Handsworth penalty.
Scott Ruthven slotted home coolly from the spot to hand his side a 4-1 lead.
Four soon became five when defender Ben Harriott pounced from close range before Ruthven completed his brace with a delicate nod over Burnett.
Pickering though had the last word from the restart when Calvert rounded Roxburgh before slotting home, but that proved to be nothing but a mere consolation on a disappointing day for the club.
Tony Hackworth's side take a break from league action this evening when they host Harrogate Railway in the League Cup (7:45pm).
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