Season up and running.

Wednesday, 16th August 2023 and  Handsworth FC recorded their first win of the season in a tough encounter with a good Garforth side.

The lads grew into the game after a dominant start by the visitors. Two goals early in the 2nd half secured the 3 points. The goals were scored by Alfie Dodsworth, who fired home a shot from the angle of the penalty area into the far corner of the net and Kieran Wells, who was re-signed by the Ambers last week. Kieran pounced on a defensive error, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

It wasn't all over by any means and Handsworth still had some defensive work to do as Garforth took the game to Handsworth in an effort to get back into it but The Ambers stood firm. Goalkeeper Dylan Parkin maintained his current good form and in particular, a world-class double save in the second half showed his quality once again.

Ian Robinson's Match Report is on the club website. Another honest and accurate account of the evening's proceedings. Have a read:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094423/report

I'm a little ashamed to admit that as a photographer, I missed both goals!! Alfie's strike in particular caught everyone by surprise and I was moving to a new position to get a better view of the goal area when Kieran scored his! My match album (minus 2 goals of course) is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62126085@N04/albums/72177720310557303

Fortunately, there's a video highlights package on the Handsworth website. It's worth a look if only to see the fantastic strike by Alfie. A goal to grace any game at any level. And I missed it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCQlwoEzoRU&t=75s

It's good to see another former Amber has been re-signed too. Along with "Wellsy",  Aaron Moxam has joined us again after a successful period with the club a few years ago. These two players will add to the Ambers striker options of course and will also bring a wealth of experience to the team. The squad is now a really good blend of youth and experience.

Next up is an away trip to Eccleshill today (August 19th) but we won't be there. I have some business in Sheffield around lunchtime and by the time that's done, it'll be too late to get to the game before kick off.

With no Saturday football for us again, we went to watch the Ambers Under-18 side who were in FA Youth Cup action at Oliver's Mount on Friday evening. (18th August).

This was another cracking game of football as the Ambers ran out 4-1 winners. Handsworth were 2-0 up at half time but Eccleshill U21 made a fast start in the 2nd half and quickly pulled a goal back. Handsworth had to absorb some pressure but scored two more late on as legs on both sides began to tire.

A great advert for youth football this with both teams having their moments. Both played some excellent passing football but did the physical stuff as well when it was necessary. There's no doubt that the young talent on show suggests the future's bright for both clubs.

Since I don't have CRB or DBS clearance, Safeguarding certification or whatever it's called these days, I wasn't allowed to take photos of the game. It actually made a nice change to watch a game normally and not through a camera lens. Every cloud...!

🧡🤎⚽👊