Howard leads cup raid

Jan 15 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WITH only one defeat so far this season, Honley’s hopes of progress in the cup looked bright until the second-round draw paired them with Hepworth – the team who inflicted that solitary defeat.

Hepworth, on the other hand, remain unbeaten this season, although they have dropped more points than Honley, having drawn four games.

Considering the rainfall of the last few weeks, Honley’s Meltham Road pitch was in remarkably good condition, so a good game was expected from two strong contenders for the league title.

Unfortunately for Honley, the visitors were in no mood to give up their unbeaten tag and when Jamie Howard headed just over the bar from a Huw Thatcher cross in the first minute, it was clear that Honley needed to find another gear.

Honley were still struggling to cope with the speed of the game when, a minute later, another Thatcher pass again found Howard, who fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Hepworth’s superior power and pace enabled them double their advantage five minutes later when Andrew Atkinson released Daniel Bell, whose far post cross was turned into the Honley net by the grateful Howard.

At this point, Honley were already in danger of being sunk without trace as Hepworth’s avalanche of attacks threatened to overwhelm them but, some sterling defending by Edson Bansali, Sam Bellas and captain Joe Martin gave Honley a breather.

And their efforts were rewarded after 25 minutes when Liam Mortimer’s clumsy challenge gave the referee no choice but to award a penalty.

Although keeper Ryan Hawley went the right way and got a fingertip to the ball, Matthew Gardner’s spot-kick nestled in the back of the net and Honley were back in the game at 2-1 down.

The goal inspired Honley and, with half time approaching, Bansali was unlucky to see his snap shot fly just wide of the target.

Honley were beginning to threaten but it was Hepworth who struck again when Honley failed to clear a corner and Liam Mortimer made up for giving away the penalty by lashing the ball into the net.

Honley continued to press for goals and were handed another lifeline, again from the spot, when William Bowers handled and Gardner stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

For the first time in the game Honley looked as though they could get something out of it but, with Thatcher marshalling the solid Hepworth defence, goal chances were few and far between.

Their best chance came seven minutes from time when the dangerous Elliot Kilner was brought down just outside the box, only for the resulting free-kick to be cleared to safety.

The tie was finally settled when Atkinson fired home Hepworth’s fourth two minutes from time.

Hepworth now face another tough challenge when they take on third-placed Longcroft Lions at home in the third round.