Recap

Handsworth 1 Frickley 2

It might’ve been Valentine’s Day, but there was no love lost as The Blues clinically got back to winning ways against 3rd placed Handsworth. Our first goal, win and points of 2026 ended a run of 4 defeats and carried us into the top half of the table, moving us from 15th to 10th – the biggest place rise of the day in the top 5 steps of the entire non-league pyramid.

The hosts threatened inside 2 minutes, winning a soft free kick but sending the effort wide of the target.

The Azzurri responded with a statement of intent. A loose ball dropped kindly for debutant Charlie Price a minute later and he unleashed a fierce drive that stung the keeper’s palms.

Handsworth fashioned an opening after a slick move down the left on 14 minutes but again failed to test Sykesy, shooting wide again.

A chess-like quarter of an hour was punctuated only by the referee giving out his first Valentine’s Day card, showing yellow to Joel Spence for a second robust challenge in a couple of minutes.

Just after the half hour, Robbo teed up Tom A on the edge of the box and his skimming effort forced the keeper into a full length low stop.

At the other end, a long throw caused problems but was nodded over.

There was a flurry of incidents in the last 2 minutes of the half. Sykesy did well to punch clear a dangerous delivery under pressure. Then Handsworth were reduced to 10 men when one of their number was sin binned. And Price hit a 25 yarder narrowly wide with the last kick of the half. HT 0-0.

The second period started with Andrew having a shot that was gathered comfortably.

On 50 minutes, Spence warmed the hearts of all those present. Picking the ball up 30 yards out, he hit an unstoppable strike that flew as straight as Cupid’s arrow into the net.

There was a full 3 minute delay as the ref dealt with an issue involving the Handsworth bench but when we did finally restart, Sykesy had to be alert to keep out a firm angled shot.

The hosts were restored to 11 men shortly after, and thought they had levelled just past the hour mark when they bundled home from another soft free kick, only for the offside flag to spare us.

A throw led to further danger in the 68th minute, finding a Handsworth head that needed  Love to nod away off the line.

Handsworth pressed and flashed a couple of balls across goal, but The Boys in Blue were holding firm.

Changes followed, with Afuape, another debutant, and Cleggy replacing Tom A and Andrew, injecting fresh energy into the forward line.

Sykesy read a rabona chip moments later to snuff out another threat.

The decisive second goal arrived on 75 minutes and it was another that was worth the wait. Lindley’s corner eventually dropped to Robbo, whose measured cross was nodded on by Radz. Cleggy lashed the ball home from an almost impossible angle to double the advantage.

Carmody also made his Frickley debut, replacing Spence to rest his unsurprisingly tired legs.

Although Handsworth curled a shot well off target, The Azzurri looked the more likely to score again. Afuape forced an 82nd minute save after a nice run, Price reacted quickest to pounce on the follow up, but saw his shot come back off the upright.

Afuape and Cleggy combined neatly to set up Robbo, only for the keeper to deny him.

Handsworth’s best chance came late on when a looping cross-cum-shot struck the bar and then the post.

5 minutes into stoppage time, The Blues were controversially robbed of a deserved clean sheet when a penalty was awarded for handball by Radz. Ex-Blue Josh Nodder duly converted to make it 2-1. But it was too little, too late for the home side as the final whistle sealed their fate. FT 1-2.

A first ever win for The Azzurri at Oliver’s Mount was a result to savour. Hopefully, the dominance we exerted over a top 3 side will bolster this squad’s belief as we continue our tough run of fixtures.

WEBMASTER MOTM – a display full of grit and quality. Defensive unit were top notch, Sykesy was safe hands, Radz and Gadge were Messrs Dependable, and Love and Collins had their best games in a Blue (grey!) shirt. Robbo, Lindley, Tom A and Andrew took the game to the opposition, keeping them on the back foot. Charlie Price was fearless on debut, he never took a backwards step, he can really play. Afuape looked a handful from the bench and Carmody the Younger was solid. And the goals were something else, Joel Spence’s was a strike of breathtaking purity while Cleggy’s was what we’ve come to expect from The SuperSub Bagsman. It’s impossible to narrow the Glitterball winner to just one man so it goes to the whole team, The Azzurri Collective! Congrats, Comrades!

TWITTER MOTM – Gagen/Radz/Cody/Love takes it from Spence/Price, Tom A/Robbo/Lindley and Cleggy/Afuape 😉 Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Charlie Price was chosen by Joel Clarkson, for a superb debut performance! Well done, Chaz!

167 through the gate, with the Sacred Realms of SESKU sending a considerable representation. We thank you for braving the chill to show the boys some love on Valentine’s Day!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Martin Woolford, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 21st February when Beverley Town are our visitors to The Wezzie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD