Wednesday 12th February 2020
North Midlands Development Football League U21 Division
Oliver’s Mount, Sheffield
Handsworth F.C. U21 3-1 Retford F.C. U21

After a good win at Staveley the U21s moved on to league leaders Handsworth hoping to complete a league double over the Sheffield based side. Handsworth having lost 3-2 at The Rail earlier in the season.

Rich Williams sat this game out due to a health scare so Martin Woodhead and Jack Johnson were at the helm for the biggest game of the season so far. They chose to restore Morgan Brown to the starting 11 with Nath Reah dropping to the bench whilst Will Hunter returned at right back with Louis Hubner dropping out.

With all other league games this week off due to the inclement weather there was a fair crowd at Handsworth for the evening. What they witnessed was an entertaining game which the hosts edged against an under-par Retford side who were far from their best yet gave the champions elect enough to think about.

The 3G pitch was always going to play into the hands of the hosts who are far more accustomed to the difference in pace to normal grass pitches due to the fact that they train and play on it weekly and they were quickest out of the blocks, creating a host of half chances which the Choughs defended resolutely.

The Ambers thought finally broke through in the 25th minute as Callum Walton held of Hunter and drove the ball under Hicks to make the score 1-0.

Retford quickly levelled with the goal of the game. Callum Wilson with a driving run from just inside his own half, took on two players before drilling an unstoppable shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
The hosts would go in with the lead at the break though as poor coverage from the Retford defence left Parkin free to turn and fire home from 6 yards out six minutes before the break.

The sides could still have gone in level but it wasn't to be as Luke Abdy missed a glorious opportunity to bring Retford level again just before the break.

The 2nd half was a bit of a none event as both teams defended resolutely and cancelled each other out over the course of the second half. Retford’s best opportunity of the half falling to the inform Wilson but he couldn’t find the target for a second time.

With only a few minutes remaining Handsworth finished the visitors off with a goal from the penalty spot. Laurence Ward the scorer after it initially looked like he had been clipped on route to goal by Adam Hicks however the referee later confirmed that it was actually Louis Hubner who had committed the foul. Hubner must have the agility of a gymnast as he wasn't even in the box at the time of the alleged foul.

However, the hosts edge the night and on the balance of play deserved their three points. For the Choughs it’s now back to back Bassetlaw derbies as they travel to Worksop next week and Harworth the week after. They will hope for a much better performance as they look to cement a top four finish.

Handsworth F.C. U21: Ben Woodcock, Lewis Dalmedo, Ryan Dixon, Ellis Moore, Logan Chappell, Jack Chalesworth, Sam Morley, Oscar Seth, Tiago Bravo, Joe Parkin, Callum Walton.

Subs: Harrison Case, Alex Stacey, Ethan Hobson, Laurence Ward, James Woodhouse.

Retford F.C. U21: Adam Hicks, Will Hunter (Louis Hubner, 78), Myles Cassidy, Olly Presley, Liam Bennett (c) (Reuben Brewin-Hawkins, 78), Kian Goodall, Owen Clarke, Kris Scott, Callum Wilson, Luke Abdy (Dalton Sikhosana, 64), Morgan Brown (Nathan Reah, 55).

Unused sub: Martin Woodhead