The Ambers were beaten by an injury time goal as hosts Frickley Athletic grabbed a vital three points in their quest to stay out of a relegation dogfight, and gained revenge after suffering in similar fashion at Olivers Mount back in early October, when Scott Ruthven grabbed the late winner for The Ambers.
Ruthven was one of a number of Handsworth absentees this time around, and with numerous walking wounded having to take part due to an alarming lack of numbers, it was necessary for The Ambers to name both Joint Manager Jon Froggatt and coach Lee Thompson on the bench, whilst Sam Fewkes had to make a late dash up the M1 from work, only arriving in time for the second half.
Despite that, it was a positive start by the visitors which saw a Brandon Bagley effort rattle the bar within the first five minutes and Mitch Dunne and Ollie Currie also go close, so it was a shock when the hosts, who had been under the cosh, took the lead after 33 minutes when skipper Johno Williams could only turn a dangerous cross from Tomlinson into his own net.
There was still the feeling as the second half started, that there was something in the game for The Ambers, and it took just seven minutes from the re-start for them to get back on level terms. Toby Kenyon played an excellent ball out wide to Dunne who cut in from the left and planted his shot past Sykes for goal number 16 for the season, and surely set up the victory.
Unfortunately, that did not come to fruition, as The Ambers seemed to run out of steam and ideas, and failed to register another shot on target, whilst the home side stepped up their game, and despite the introduction of Fewkes for his 100th appearance, and Tom Bishop, the traffic was all generally one way.
There was an almighty let off for Handsworth when a thumping drive from ex Amber Tom Claisse, now Player-Manager for the home side, crashed against the post and a follow up header rolled inches wide as Frickley upped the pressure, and just when it seemed that the visitors had navigated their way to a deserved point, they were undone in the sixth minute of added time when Mannings headed home the winner to the delight and relief of the home fans.
It was another case of what might have been for The Ambers, but given the pressures on the squad at the moment, those that made it gave their all and hopefully there will be more players back available ahead of next Saturday’s tough looking home game against Campion.