Handsworth FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Handsworth 1 Frickley 1

Honours finished even in this tight affair after Keegan Townrow’s last minute goal cancelled out the home side’s opener.

On the teamsheet, there was a debut for Harry Allen in goal in place of the suspended Callum Bradbury. Meanwhile, Patts and Lloydy returned from injury to the starting XI with Kersey and Walker moving to the bench. Brandon Murillo also made his 50th Frickley appearance  (congrats, bruv).

After kickoff, It became clear early on that goalscoring opportunities were going to be thin on the ground as the defences were in control from the off.

Both sides largely cancelled each other out, leaving the forwards feeding off scraps, limited to long range efforts for most of the opening half hour.

The Azzurri’s best chance of the half came in the 32nd minute as The Colonel controlled the ball with a sublime touch and played it across the box to Rieves but his shot was deflected out for a corner. From said corner, Jamesy ghosted in at the back post to nod the ball back to Brandon. He headed at goal but it was blocked and cleared.

Handsworth went as close as anyone had so far when they put a free kick just over the bar in the 37th minute.

That was pretty much your lot for the first half, aside of Varls having to be replaced at the break by Zak Kersey after a swinging elbow (from one of his own teammates) left him cut below his eye. Warriors these fellas. HT 0-0.

The Blues had a decent chance moments after the restart as Lloydy fed Rieves B but he had to snatch at his shot and lifted it over the bar.

5 minutes into the half and the home side were ahead. Brandon M was having his shirt pulled off but nothing was given. And, as is so often the case, the resulting cross found a Handsworth head to glance the ball past Allen into the corner of the net.

Minutes later, Handsworth shot a couple of feet wide from the edge of the box.

Much of the rest of the half was played in the middle third of the pitch, attritional stuff with a fair bit of timewasting from the hosts – to be expected in such a close game when one side gains a slim advantage.

However, on 75 minutes and in increasingly worsening conditions, The Blues looked to have levelled it from a Morgan James throw in. There was bit of penalty box pinball finishing with Lloydy lashing a volley past the keeper but the ref blew for a high boot.

With less than 2 minutes left, Brandon M, in an unusually attacking position, hit a powerful strike narrowly wide of the upright. It looked as if The Azzurri’s last chance to salvage something from the game had gone.

Then in the last minute of normal time, The Blues won a free kick just inside their own half. Harry Allen knocked it to Jamesy who hit a high diagonal ball into the box. Sky Walker, on as sub, beat the keeper to it in the air and it dropped perfectly for Townrow to slot away for his 9th goal of the campaign and the all important equaliser. FT 1-1.

I’ll always take an away point, even more so after being a goal behind with seconds to go, but that was about the right result on the balance of play. You couldn’t get a fag paper between the two teams. And The Boys in Blue show their resilience once again. Sweet.

WEBMASTER MOTM – even when the ball isn’t quite rolling for them, these lads play to the final whistle. Every one of ‘em put in a shift. Harry Allen was a safe pair of hands on debut, and Varls and now fellow half centurion BMDub were safe as houses. Tony Onoh was confident and Zak filled in well at fullback. The Colonel and Patts were combative, and Rieves and Lloydy were lively. And Jamesy and Sky Walker made things happen. But the Glitterball goes to Keegan Townrow. He was in the thick of it at both ends of the plastic pitch, keeping the score down and netting a goal to save our bacon. Kracking, Keegs!

TWITTER MOTM – Keegan Townrow takes it from Brandon Murillo, Morgan James and Antony Onoh. Richard Collier, Harry Allen and Richard Patterson also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Keegan Townrow was chosen by Joel Clarkson. Well done, Keegs!

216 through the gate with plenty from WF9. Your support makes all the difference. Thank you to everyone who travelled. (Special shootout to loyal young fan Brogan who made it to Handsworth by public transport which I’m assured is no mean feat!)

To hear the thoughts of manager Pat McGuire, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 20th February when we travel to Golcar United for a 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there…

#forzafrickley