It's football so it's another week of ups and downs!

The steadying of the good ship Handsworth continued on 17th October when they visited in-form Emley and came back with a very creditable draw.  With another great defensive performance The Ambers became only the 2nd team to stop Emley from scoring this season.

We didn't go due to another engagement but Ian Robinson's report is here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094445/report

Two good performances against two strong teams was encouraging and we moved on to the next game which saw us host league leaders Campion at Olivers Mount on Saturday 21st October with a little more optimism than usual maybe!

The final score - Ambers 3-5 Campion - doesn't tell the full story of the game. Campion scored early but goals from Aaron Moxam and Mason Barlow meant Handsworth went into the break with a lead.

Not surprisingly, Campion came roaring back in the 2nd half and equalised fairly quickly. Aaron Moxam scored again to restore the lead (he'd also had a lobbed goal ruled out for a debatable offside decision in the 1st half.)

Campion equalised again and then an unfortunate own goal put them ahead. Chasing the game, Handsworth conceded a fifth goal late on. 

With a disallowed goal and a couple of missed chances, The Ambers felt a little hard done by. An excellent showing by the team for no reward. How often is that said of a football match? Someone said after the game that if we play like that for the rest of the season, "We'll be oreight!" Hope so!

Ian Robinson's report is here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094530/report

and my photos are here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/photos/2023-10-21-ambers-35-campion-ncel-prem-1079837.html

Probably the best part of the afternoon came when we met some surprise visitors from Braunton FC's Disability squad who had travelled up from Devon - through Storm Bebet!! - to play in a local tournament. The plan was then to go on to Bramall Lane to see Sheffield Utd v Manchester Utd but that plan was scuppered when Sky TV moved the kick-off to 8pm.

Plan B was to go to see Sheffield FC but that was rained off so they came over to Oliver's Mount to watch Handsworth FC! We presented them with medals to commemorate their visit and we hope they enjoyed their brief time with us. A lovely bunch of folk!

I asked what time they would get back to Devon but one of the organisers said they were heading back on Sunday via Bristol  where they were to take in a Bristol Rovers Ladies game (or Bristol City - I have an awful memory) before going home.

So - not the best result but a memorable afternoon for another reason! Thanks for coming guys!

COYA 🧡🖤⚽👊

There was some more bad news when it was reported that Storm Babet had caused serious flooding at Belper Town's ground. The pitch was under water as was the clubhouse and changing rooms. It's the 3rd time in 5 years they've suffered flooding like this and it's heartbreaking for the club, its staff, volunteers and supporters.

We watched our first game of non-league football at Belper Town in 2005/2006 and have fond memories of the club and people. I've been hooked on non-league ever since and these days, wouldn't consider going to a professional game. 

The value for money is second to none and some friendships formed over the years wouldn't have happened without non-league footy.

Anyway, everybody at The Nailers has got stuck in and they are working hard to get the club back on its feet. They desperately need cash to replace floorings and so on in the clubhouse.  The club can't get insurance cover because of their proximity to the river so a crowdfunding page has been set upI

https://www.gofundme.com/f/belper-town-fc-ground-repair-funds?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

It's going to cost in the region of  £18,000 to put things right so if you can, please put in a couple of quid to help them out. Click the link above. Thanks!

Hopefully Stopping The Rot...

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.

This was not the greatest game of football I've ever seen but then  again, every time I've been to Frickley with either Belper Town or Handsworth, it's usually been a bit of a battle!

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. 

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/photos/2023-10-14-frickley-11-ambers-ncel-prem-1078944.html

(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 🧡🖤⚽👊

As Someone Once Said - "It's a funny old game..."

With no midweek fixture, The Ambers next opponents were Thackley who visited Oliver's Mount on Saturday 7th October.

The Ambers faithful were hoping for a better result and performance than the last outing at Rossington which ended in our biggest defeat of the season.

On an unseasonably warm day, the game ended in another defeat. This time though, Handsworth were undone by a freak goal in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Having conceded an early goal, central defender Henry Carne powered home a header to make it 1-1 at half-time.

However, the 3 points went home with Thackley after Ambers keeper Dylan Parkin parried a strong shot but the ball deflected slightly and hit an unsuspecting Thackley player before trickling into the back of the net. 

There was no time for another comeback as the referee blew the final whistle shortly after the game restarted.

Ian Robinson's accurate and honest (as ever) match report is here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094509/report

And my match album is here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/photos/2023-10-07-ambers-12-thackley-ncel-prem-1077954.html

(Both of these links take you to the Handsworth Pitchero website. Have a little look around the page whilst you're there please?. I'm trying to increase hits to push our Pitchero ranking into the top 100 sites! Ta!!)

The disappointment was obviously evident amongst both fans and players although to be fair, if The Ambers had taken a couple of good chances created in the 1st half, the outcome could have been different. If's and but's count for nothing though and the fact is that team has come off a 6-game winning streak to a draw and 2 defeats.

The results leave Handsworth in 5th place in the division. It has to be said that at the start of the season, with new management and a new squad in place, I for one would have settled for 5th place after 12 games! It's a tough league and as other results from the past week have shown, anybody can beat anybody so there will be many more twists and turns I'm sure.

So we move on to the next two games which are both difficult away fixtures. On Tuesday, the game is at Goole and then next Saturday, we're at Frickley. Unfortunately, The Duchess and I won't be at Goole but we're hoping to make the Frickley game.

At the weekend, it was pointed out to me that we are just about a third of the way through the 2023/24 league season. Just another reflection of how quickly time is passing!

COYA 🧡🖤⚽👊

You win some, you lose some.

Or rather, you win none! Another hectic week with no chance to post on the blog so here's what's happened since my last notes.

We've seen three games in the last week, including a look at the Handsworth FC U21 side on Friday evening.

On a cold and blustery Wednesday evening, 23rd September, as the tail end of Storm Agnes passed over Oliver's Mount, Knaresborough were the visitors and they went home with a point in a 1-1 draw.

Knaresborough took the lead inside 20 minutes after a point blank save by their keeper had denied Handsworth a goal. Knaresborough, with the wind at their backs, probably had the better of the first half hour but then had a man sent off. As Tom Bishop burst through and beyond the last man, he was fouled and the ref showed the defender the red card, despite protests from the visitors players. 

Keeper's point bank save denies Masai Arbouin

The resulting free kick from just outside the area came to nothing but just before half time, Handsworth's Alfie Dodsworth scored the equaliser from the penalty spot after overlapping full back Mike Trench was brought down just inside the box.

So, 2nd half and with the wind at their backs, Handsworth fans hoped for a win but credit to Knaresborough, the 10-men saw out the game very well, giving the Ambers little opportunity to take the win. 

The referee evened things up as far as number of players on the pitch was concerned when, in added time, he red-carded Handsworth sub Craig Mitchell for what seemed to just about everyone in the ground to be a 50-50 challenge with both players raising a boot in an attempt to  control a bouncing ball.

In the end, I guess a draw was probably a fair result but as ever in these situations, more was expected when the Ambers had the man advantage. Ian Robinson's match report describes the action far better than I can so have a read here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094486/report

and my pictures are here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/photos/ambers-11-knaresborough-ncel-prem-1076360.html

Unfortunately, my camera misbehaved again just before kick off so I had to switch to my old camera and lens. Friustrating!

We were back at Oliver's Mount on Friday evening, 29th September, to have a look at the Handsworth U21 side in their North Midlands Development League fixture against Dronfield Town U21. Before the kick-off, the teams paid tribute to Maddy Cusack, a Sheffield Utd Ladies player who sadly passed away a few days before the game at the very young age of 27. RIP Maddy.

My pictures, including the tribute and minute's silence for Maddy are here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/62126085@N04/albums/72177720311591893

(I have no idea why the match officials had huge grins on their faces during the tribute as Handsworth's skipper held up Maddy's No. 8 shirt. Inappropriate I thought.)

In a game where the two sides basically cancelled each other out, the result was a 0-0 draw and so both teams gained their first point of the season. There was a lot of endeavour on show but neither keeper was tested although both teams worked hard and managed a couple of periods of pass and move football.

The highlight of the evening came when that Sheila won £20 on the football scratch card the team runs to raise funds. She actually won by choosing Sheffield Wednesday on the card. As somebody said, it's about the only thing Wednesday will win all season!

Another bonus was the camera behaved itself, working almost perfectly throughout the game!

So it was on to Saturday 30th September and a trip to Rossington for our next league fixture against a strong Rossington Main team. Promoted last year from Division 1, Rosso have made a strong start to life in the NCEL Premier League so we knew it would be tough.

That turned out to be the case. Rossington ran out 4-1 winners to bring Handsworth's September to a disappointing end. The Ambers had 3 "regulars" missing from the starting line-up but the result meant we slipped from the giddy heights of 2nd in the league table.

Rain for most of the game didn't help matters but Rossington started the stronger and took a 2-0 lead into half time. They added a 3rd goal early in the second half and to be honest, from that point it was essentially game over.

Veteran striker Ross Hannah scored a 4th before Handsworth's Brandon Bagley, who'd worked his socks off all afternoon, brought Handsworth a consolation goal but it was too little, too late as Ian Robinson says in his match report:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/teams/126071/match-centre/1-14094502/report

My match album, on is here:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/photos/2023-09-30-rossington-41-ambers-ncel-prem-1076788.html

Despite the very wet conditions, the camera behaved itself again!!

It's on to another tough month for The Ambers with games against 3 of the top 6 in October. Fingers crossed for an improvement in results!

COYA🧡🖤⚽👊

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!! 🧡🖤⚽👊