Another busy week with some personal stuff limiting the time I've had to update the blog. Anyway, since my last missive, Handsworth have played 2 games.
We didn't get to the midweek fixture (10th October) at Goole and so missed another defeat. This time, The Ambers lost 2-1 to a Goole side which to be honest, most fans would have expected to beat. Goole's recent form has been mixed but even so, with Handsworth in 5th place in the league and Goole just climbing from the relegation zone, the Ambers fans would have travelled optimistically.
As we didn't go to the game, Ian Robinson's match report on a disappointing result is here:
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094389/report
I can't really comment because I wasn't there but you can always rely on Ian to make a truthful and accurate report.
So it was on to Saturday 14th October and another tough away game. This time the fixture was at Frickley Athletic FC.
The weather was predicted to be fine but cold so we donned extra layers for the first time this season. It's a fairly easy drive to Frickley and they have a large car park so there was no need for an early start.
The stadium is showing it's age a little. It harks back to the 1980's when Frickley were in the Conference (now National League) and regularly qualified for the 1st round of the FA Cup.
A large stand at the top side of the sloping pitch provides plenty of cover and those preferring to watch their football standing up have a covered terrace running almost full length on the opposite side. The terrace has large holes in the roof which meant I had to seek shelter away from the elements when a rain shower passed over the ground. A minor inconvenience!
A minutes silence was held before kick off to remember those killed in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel.
Once again, Handsworth conceded early on when a loose ball in the six-yard box was knocked into the net. However the scores were levelled about 15 minutes later when Craig Nelthorpe struck home a penalty.
The game had been fairly even to that point but things changed before half time when Handsworth right back Tom Cropper was shown a red card for a "robust" tackle.
Tactics altered in the second half with Handsworth holding firm, playing on the counter attack as Frickley piled on the pressure. In fairness, either side could have nicked it but I think, after the sending off, The Ambers were happy to settle for a point to end the 3-game losing streak.
Ian Robinsons match report is here: (Dunno how he does it TBH. Ian misses nothing during a game, noting all of the major incidents! I can't claim to do that with the camera!)
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094517/report
The camera behaved itself and so a bumper bundle of pictures is here.
(If I can't get plenty of half-decent shots on a generally dry, sunny day, it really is time to consider selling the cameras and finding some other passion to pursue!)
Handsworth face another couple of hard games this week. A trip to high-flying Emley on Tuesday evening is followed by a visit to Oliver's Mount by top-of-the-table Campion FC who are having a very good season.
Both games will be tough but we have to be encouraged by the display at Frickley. To be honest, if Handsworth had converted more of the chances they've created in recent games, the picture (and current form table) would look very different. However, as I've said before - "ifs and buts..."
We won't be at Emley. We've something else happening on Tuesday evening but we will definitely be at the home game on Saturday. Fingers crossed for good results!
COYA 🧡🖤⚽👊
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