The season ends...

 Saturday 13th May 2023

Handsworth Reserves 2-0 Houghton Main, SHCSL Premier Division.

A trip to Olivers Mount for the final football photo opportunity of the season. A bright, sunny afternoon gave the best chance of some half decent photos!

This game should have been played a while ago and was rescheduled for 6th May but then postponed again until 13th due to the Coronation proceedings on the 6th. 

Given the heat (around 20C in the middle of the pitch) and the fact that neither team really had anything to play for this was quite an entertaining encounter. Some nice football played by both sides. The work-rate and pace of the game obviously dropped as the heat and tired legs took their toll. The referee allowed a drinks break in each half so the players could take on fluid.

Handsworth took the lead early in the 1st half when Lewis Dalmedo rose highest from a corner kick and bulleted in a close range header giving  the keeper no chance. A second header before half time, this time a very clever flicked effort from another defender Theo "T-Man" Wilson, gave The Ambers a 2-goal cushion and to be honest, control of the game.

Both teams tried to play passing football but Handsworth had the upper hand and kept their two goal lead fairly comfortably until the final whistle brought the season to a close.

It was nice to be invited to sit with the team in the stand at the end of the game to enjoy a beer. I didn't get to all of their games this season but I've always enjoyed watching the team when I have been free to go along. A good set of lads with an excellent team spirit.

My photo album from the game can be found on my Flickr pages. Click the link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62126085@N04/albums/72177720308275118

So - what to photograph next? Well, we have a short holiday near Valley, Anglesey coming up and with a couple of RSPB reserves and the airfield that was once RAF Valley nearby, I should be able to keep the shutter button clicking!

I understand that the new NCEL football season starts in late July this year (it seems to get earlier every season!) and I was also told on Saturday that 1st team pre-season training will start on 16th June when the new management team of Jon Froggatt  and Mark Ward will begin to assemble their squad for 2023/24.

Soon be back at it then!