Back Up & Running.

I've been without my camera for a week or so. It's been having a sensor clean at Harrison Cameras. They also had a look at why the shutter was "freezing." The sensor is now clean but there's no definitive answer as to why the shutter was misbehaving. Whatever they've done to it, it seems to be working OK now. Fingers crossed

During the week, Handsworth FC's 6-match winning streak came to an end with a 4-2 defeat at Albion Sports. We didn't make the trip. It was an 8pm kick-off on a Wednesday evening so we decided it was a bit of a trek. The getting there isn't bad I guess but the later than usual kick off and the drive home meant it would be way past our bedtime when we got back!

According to reports and fans comments, the 4-2 scoreline wasn't really as comprehensive as it sounds. Having gone 3-0 down, Handsworth pulled it back to 3-2 but then, chasing the equaliser, got caught on the break as Albion got their 4th and decisive goal.

Ian Robinson's match report is here: 

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094482/report

And we know Ian always tells it like it is so you may be sure it's an accurate and honest account of the game.

I picked up the camera on Friday 22nd, just in time for the Ambers first "3pm Saturday afternoon kick-off" at home this season when the visitors were Eccleshill Utd.

Turned out to be another win for Handsworth although it was a close encounter. A Kieran Wells tap in put The Ambers 1-0 up just before half time but some heavy Eccleshill pressure brought them an equaliser 10 minutes before the end. Handsworth secured the points in the 89th minute when substitutes Brandon Bagley and Craig Mitchell combined for Craig to grab the winner.

Again, Ian's match report is here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094618/report

And I managed to get some pictures (The camera still has it's moments but performed much better on Saturday!) The full album is on the Handsworth website:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/photos/2023-09-23-ambers-21-eccleshill-ncel-prem-1075816.html

The win takes The Ambers into 2nd place in the NCEL Premier Division, behind Silsden FC on goal difference. We're only 9 or 10 games into a 38 game season so there's a way to go but we have to believe!

It was good to see so many youngsters at the game. Aside from The Ambers Under-12 girls on Mascot duty, there were babes-in-arms, toddlers and other young folk of varying shapes and sizes! It's really great to see families coming to Olivers Mount and confirms the "Amber Family". ethos of the club. Long may it continue.

Next up is another home fixture. On Wednesday 27th September we host Knaresborough Town. Their form has dipped recently but it will be another tough test for Handsworth who will have to be on their game to beat one of the early season title favourites.

Weather forecast for Wednesday isn't great with heavy rain and strong winds forecast but we'll see. My dad always said the Met Office couldn't tip rubbish! Looks like this game may have to be shot from the back of the stand!

COYA 🧡🖤⚽👊

The Wins Just Keep Coming!!

In a very busy week (3 games attended) I haven't had a chance to update the blog so here's what's been happening in the frantic last few days.

On Wednesday 13th September, The Ambers hosted Penistone Church FC at Olivers Mount. It's usually a tough game against Church and this one was no exception.

Handsworth were 2-0 winners and moved up to 3rd place in the NCEL Premier Division table.

A first half goal from Mitch Dunne (an absolute screamer which left the keeper grasping at thin air) and Kieran Wells with a powerful header from about 10 or 12 yards early in the second half sorted out the points although a missed penalty would have made for a more emphatic final scoreline. 

Celebrating the 2nd goal!

A crowd of just over 200 enjoyed an entertaining encounter on a warm September evening.

Ian Robinson's match report is here and is certainly worth a read:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094471/report

And my photos from the game are here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/photos/2023-09-13-ambers-20-penistone-ncel-prem-1074137.html

Incidentally, both of these links will take you to the revamped Handsworth FC website. Have a look around whilst you're there!

Friday evening, 15th September, we were back at Oliver's Mount to watch the Handsworth Under-21 side start their league season.

Facing Jubilee Sports U21 side, the young Ambers took a 2-0 lead in the 1st half although it has to be said that the Handsworth keeper made some crucial saves to preserve the lead until just before half time when Jubilee pulled one back.

The 2nd half saw Jubilee up  their game and they eventually ran out 2-3 winners. Disappointing for the young Ambers lads but it's essentially a new team and I'm sure they'll continue to improve as they get to know one another.

Another disappointment is the lack of match photos! My camera started playing silly beggars not long after the game started. Pressing the shutter button, instead of firing off 12 frames per second, resulted in the camera "freezing" and not reacting to the shutter button at all. Tried switching off and back on again (standard procedure for most technology) and that worked until I stopped clicking and it went into standby mode. Restarting brought the freeze again for maybe 15 seconds by which time of course, I'd missed the action!

Anyway, Saturday 16th September took us to Maltby Main FC. It's a difficult place to go and Handsworth haven't had a win there for 6 or 7 years but with Maltby having a difficult season and given the Ambers current form, we travelled in hope! The game turned out to be as tough as expected but Handsworth eventually triumphed 3-4.

The scoreline flipped and changed (0-1, 2-1, 2-3, 3-3, 3-4) and as ever at Maltby, it was a tough battle. 

Handsworth had taken the lead through Brandon Bagley but an own goal by Henry Carne brought Maltby back into it and the home side added a second before half time.

Second half and Handsworth scored twice in about 10 minutes to re-take the lead before Main levelled again a couple of minutes later.

It was nice to see Henry Carne atone for his own goal by powering in a header on 80 minutes to bring Handsworth another 3 points and stretch the winning run to 6 games in a row

A much better match report than mine can be seen at:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094413/report

Credit once again to Ian Robinson, our match reporter and programme editor.

Unfortunately, there is no accompanying match album due to continuing issues with my camera which once again, randomly froze at critical moments. Even though I'd taken my spare camera, that too decided it didn't want to work properly. So, disillusioned, I put both cameras away midway through the 2nd half.

The camera is booked in for service and fault investigation at Harrison Cameras on Monday morning. Fingers crossed they can sort it for me!

Anyway - The Ambers next challenge is an away game at Albion Sports who are unbeaten in the league so far this season. Handsworth have only lost once in the league this season so it'll be another tough challenge. I can't make it to this one so "Good Luck Ambers!!"

COYA 🧡🖤⚽👊

Onwards & Upwards

Saturday 9th September and we made our first ever visit to Bottesford Town FC for The Ambers latest NCEL Premier Division fixture. A combination of fixture schedules and a week's vacation in North Yorkshire meant this was our first view of the team since the epic 3-2 win at home to Hallam FC a couple of weeks ago.

The Barrett Steel stadium has a 3G pitch and is pretty well equipped with plenty of parking and spectator cover if it rains! A little disappointing that there was no printed match day programme, just a team sheet.

A modest attendance of 75 of which some 25% to 30% were Handsworth supporters. Maybe that's because Bottesford are having a bit of a rough season, having lost all 5 of their league games before this one and only scoring 2 goals in those matches.

Forecast was for thunderstorms around 4pm but apart from one huge bang and a flash of lightening late in the 2nd half, there was nothing more than a distant rumble.

However, we were amazed to find massive puddles and the obvious aftermath of heavy rain as we drove away from the ground to head home. It turns out the Scunthorpe v Buxton game in the National League North was abandoned late on because of thunderstorms and torrential rain. The two grounds are around 4 miles apart so I guess we got away with it a bit!!

The match itself was not a classic. In the first half, Handsworth played some excellent passing football and captain Mitch Dunne scored two real "poachers goals" to give The Ambers a 0-2 lead at half time.

As the second half went on, a combination of the heat and a referee who had apparently decided at half time that he needed to show who was in charge, meant the match became very stop-start. Frustration built amongst the players and the coaching staffs as the ref flashed his yellow card at every opportunity.

Both sides had chances to score but The Ambers held on to their lead fairly comfortably to make it 4 league wins on the bounce and move up to 6th in the League table.

Ian Robinson's excellent match report can be found on the Handsworth website. A good read and an accurate description of the game as ever from "Scoop". Click the link:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094456/report

My Flickr photo album is here if you want a look (please!!):

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62126085@N04/albums/72177720311089027

Next up is a tough home game against Penistone Church on Wednesday evening, September 13th. The current form table shows the teams have almost identical records so it will be a tight affair but then again, it usually is a close game when these two sides meet.

The games come thick and fast through September with another 6 fixtures to be played. Looking forward to it!

COYA!! 🧡🖤⚽👊