Ambers pay the penalty in League Cup defeat

There were changes a plenty as Handsworth kicked off their NCEL League Cup campaign away at Bottesford Town. Latest signing Johnny Pugh made his debut alongside youngster Logan Chapell who started at centre half, whilst Jamie Austin returned from suspension.
After Joe Parkin spurned an early chance following some good work down the left by Leon Howarth, there was a feeling of déjà vu as early as the 7th minute when Ben Townsend was adjudged to have brought down Town striker Fenton in the box in a repeat episode of Saturday’s game at Bridlington, with McMenemy slotting home the penalty.
Both sides settled down to produce a fairly even contest with The Ambers having some good spells of possession whilst their hardworking opponents closed them down quickly and broke dangerously. Bailey Hobson had a shot deflected wide and Parkin’s header was saved by home keeper Birch who then did well to save a fierce drive from Pugh.
There was a moment of controversy when Town skipper Ridley, never one to keep his opinions to himself, ended up being sin-binned after one comment too many and with the extra mans advantage, The Ambers started to turn the screw. Waide Fairhurst curled a good effort just wide of the far post after Howarth had laid the ball back for him, but the hosts weathered the storm well and made it safely to half time without conceding, the only other point of interest being a poor challenge by Graves which left Austin crumpled on the turf, and earned the miscreant a yellow card.
Fairhurst was straight into the action after the break when he headed a Darius Smith cross wide before being foiled by Birch as he followed up an Austin effort which the keeper had also kept out. At the other end, it was Townsend’s turn to excel as he saved with his feet from Fenton before palming away a long range effort.
As the action switched upfield, Pugh set up Austin beautifully but his thumping strike was again foiled by Birch who was making a good fist for the man of the match award, albeit he was eventually beaten by Howarth’s low strike after he found some space on the left side of the box after good work by strike partner Fairhurst.
The Ambers now sniffed victory and the introduction of Harry Mitchell, Alfie Dodsworth and Callum Walton from the bench gave fresh legs and impetus going forward. Hobson came close to opening his Ambers account when he headed an effort against the bar whilst Fairhurst was denied by Birch as he slid in to connect with an Alfie Eagle cross.
As the dominant Ambers continued to press, the inevitable happened and Town took the lead against the run of play when Spencer cut in and set up McMenemy who finished smartly for his second of the game. It was a real blow to the visitors but they continued to press forward, Birch denying Dodsworth’s near post flick and Howarth’s shot as the chances came and went, and when the referee had played the four minutes of added time, it seemed like all hope was lost, but play continued and, unbelievably in the 97th minute, Mitchell was on hand to head home Eagle’s cross to level things up and send the tie straight to penalties.
Despite Townsend’s heroics when he saved three Bottesford spot kicks, it was inevitably that man Birch who went one better and earned the hosts a 6-5 shoot out win and passage into the next Round.