The good form continues for Handsworth FC.

Handsworth FC's latest pre-season game took place on Saturday (15th July) when they visited Hucknall Town.

This was our first visit to Hucknall's new RM Stadium on Aerial Way, just across the road from their old home at Watnall Road and it's extremely impressive. Covered seating and standing areas down one side of the pitch and a covered terrace behind one goal, the ground has everything you could wish for. Nice, flat pitch, spacious clubhouse, ample toilet facilities and a sizeable hard-standing car park.

The stadium was opened in December 2022 so everything is still practically brand new but it is a great set-up and I have to admit to a tinge of jealousy even though Handsworth's home at Oliver's Mount is an excellent facility, much admired by visiting supporters.

The short drive down the M1 was a bit of a drag with congestion for a good part of the way and heavy rain at times. We later heard that there had been an accident and clearance of that had closed at least one lane for a good while. We were just unlucky I guess. Others arriving after us said they'd had no problem with congestion.

As we parked up at the ground, the heavens opened and there was a flash of lightening and a crack of thunder so we made our way to the turnstile during a break in the showers. When we got inside, the rain stopped and the sun came out.

The game itself was made difficult for the players as a strong, gusty wind blew for most of it. 

Handsworth ran out 3-1 winners and probably deserved it, certainly based on their second half performance. In the first half, the Ambers keeper, Dylan Parkin, pulled off a fantastic point-blank save to keep it to 0-0 at half time.

The Ambers made a couple of changes to players and formation in the 2nd half and it was sub Alfie Dodsworth who gave them the lead early on. Mitch Dunne pounced on a loose ball and squared it across the area for the unmarked Alfie to score from close range. Hucknall equalised with a spot kick not long after.

With the wind behind them, Handsworth began to press the home side back and scored their second goal when centre back Henry Carne powered home a far post header.

The scoring was completed when Alfie Dodsworth pounced on another defensive error and slotted the ball home past the hapless keeper.

There was no more scoring but we had a couple of "handbags" moments which were sorted out pretty quickly by the referee with the issue of a couple of yellow cards. Have to say, we've seen all of Handsworth's pre-season fixtures and reflecting on the games, I think the standard of refereeing has been pretty good. Maybe there's less pressure on the officials in friendly games but we'll see what happens when the real stuff starts.

On our way home, we stopped off at Chester's fish & chip restaurant in Chesterfield. One of the best around in our opinion and well worth a visit.

The final pre-season game is against Stocksbridge Park Steels who play in the division above ours. That'll be a tough test but The Ambers fans have to be encouraged by what we've seen so far from the all-new management team and squad. COYA!!

🧡🤎⚽👊