Northern Counties East Premier Division – Express Worktops Stadium – 25th February 2023

Details

Date	Time	League	Season	Full Time
25 February 2023	15:00	NCEL Premier League	2022	90′

Recap

The Azzurri showed a great character to come from two down to level at Handsworth. Then Harrison Davison-Hale took over, giving a goalkeeping masterclass to make sure it stayed that way.

Caretaker boss Martin Beaumont made no changes to the starting eleven or bench from Tuesday night’s win at Silsden.

In the opening stages, Handsworth passed it around well and looked more assured on their plastic surface, keeping the ball for minutes at a time. However, for all the home side’s possession, the best of the chances were The Azzurri’s. Big Al Keita fired inches over in the very first minute and Lloyd Smith had a couple of shots on goal.

Just after the thirty minute mark, El Binno nodded a free kick towards goal and the defender flicked it onto the post. But three minutes later, Handsworth were ahead. The Handsworth forward was allowed to run and slotted it in low through a sea of legs.

Lloydy, Big Al and Harley Holt all had further half chances before the break but to no avail. HT 1-0.

Seven minutes into the second period and Handsworth were two up and coasting. HDH had pushed a shot over the bar then Handsworth headed in the resulting corner.

The Ambers hadn’t been ahead for 120 seconds before The Blues reduced the arrears when Big Al charged down a back pass, getting his foot to the keeper’s clearance to deflect it back into the net.

One goal became two on the hour as El Binno started the move by passing to Big Al who fed Lloydy. Lloydy raced into the box before smashing the ball past the keeper at the near post from a seemingly impossible angle to equalise.

📷 ⬆️ ⬇️ Frickley Athletic’s Lloyd Smith scores from an acute angle to make it 2 – 2

Handsworth redoubled their efforts and threw everything at it bar the kitchen sink.

With twenty minutes to go, HDH made a string of breathtaking saves. The first was a reflex save that looked a certain goal. From the corner it was a blur of heads, hands and feet as HDH pulled off another two remarkable stops and the ball came back off the bar. Think Jim Montgomery in the 1973 FA Cup Final – but better! In fact I’m struggling to remember when I’ve seen a better series of saves in the flesh.

📷 Al Keita challenge’s for the ball in the air

Handsworth shot over, hit the angle of the goal and the side netting. And HDH tipped shots over and onto the bar in the frantic final minutes but The Blues held strong and honours finished even. FT 2-2.

📷 Frickley captain Richard Collier on the ball

What an exciting, nerve racking, game! That was definitely a point won, not two points lost, against a quick, footballing Ambers side who did all they could to win it. And if you like a stat, this point took us past last season’s total of 30 points, with 7 games to go. That’s progress, I think…

📷 Frickley Athletics Harley Holt wins the ball in the air

WEBMASTER MOTM – everyone put in a proper shift. The back four of Murillo, Owen, Varley and Hemingway were committed and dogged. The Colonel, Haighy and Harley were hard running. El Binno was quality, this new midfield role is suiting him down to the ground. Big Al and Lloydy were immense up front, they never let the defence settle and they fully deserved their goals. But the Glitterball has to go to Golden Gloves, Harrison Davison-Hale. In the last twenty minutes, his keeping was simply astonishing and preserved that point. Hurrah, HDH!

TWITTER MOTM – HDH takes it with more than 50% of the votes from El Binno, Lloydy and Big Al. There were more votes (158) than there were people in the crowd (139) so even the folk driving past on the Sheffield Parkway must’ve been impressed and voted. Not surprising really, they’ve got eyes! Thanks to all who voted.

As mentioned, 139 through the gate on a baltic afternoon with at least half of those present supporting The Blues. Thank you for your brilliant support.

A post match chat with manager Martin Beaumont after the midweek fixture away at Silsden can be found Here

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 4th March when we’re back at The Wezzie and Golcar United are our visitors for a 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….