The start of the Froggatt and Ward era ended in a narrow defeat for The Ambers, with visitors Golcar United winning a tight game 3-2 to preserve the record of neither side earning a point at home in every fixture between these two sides.
The new look Ambers, with five new arrivals in the starting eleven, couldn’t have asked for a better start as one of those new men, Mason Barlow opened his account in just the 4th minute when Rion Arbouin’s mis-hit shot fell to the former Retford United man in the centre of the box and he fired past Kelly, with the visitors screaming in vain for an offside flag.
Golcar almost equalised just a minute later when a corner from Barkham-Barnes struck the crossbar before the ball was scrambled away to safety, and the game was nip and tuck for the opening quarter, with Brandon Bagley seeing a long range effort fly wide.
There was then a blow for The Ambers when right back Arbouin went down with no one around him and after some lengthy treatment, he had to be helped off the field, leading to a re-shuffle at the back. Henry Carne who had started the game well at centre half, moved over to the right to make room for the return of Ozzy Radford to partner Johno Williams.
It was Golcar who went close next when a front post flicked volley by Russon was just too high, whilst in response a long clearance by Dylan Parkin was flicked on by Craig Mitchell into the path of Bagley, but Kelly was quickly off his line and stood up well to divert the ball away from goal.
After a dangerous Naidole free kick flicked off the Ambers wall for a corner, Radford delivered a superb crossfield ball to release Masai Arbouin but Golcar defended his searching cross well before Sam Fewkes tried his luck from the edge of the box, only for Kelly to save comfortably.
Back to the other end and it was Parkin taking the plaudits as he came out to save well from Russon after a Cox flick had set him free, and Mike Trench of all people was next to try his luck but his cracking effort curled wide of the far post, leaving The Ambers with a narrow half time advantage after a very even opening half.
The second half started with Spencer trying his luck for the visitors but Parkin saved, before a Mitch Dunne effort was saved by Kelly at his near post to end a good spell of Ambers pressure. The game was then turned upside down in the space of three minutes with the visitors scoring at the double. Firstly a ball into the box didn’t seem to be causing too much consternation, until a good turn and shot by Cox wrong footed Parkin and found the far corner of the net to level things up. Things then got worse for Handsworth when a long range strike from Phillip beat Parkin to stun the home supporters.
However, it wasn’t long before The Ambers were given the perfect opportunity to level things up. A long ball from Williams sent Dunne away into the United box where he was tripped, but his spot kick was palmed away by the keeper and the chance was gone. Bagley was then almost immediately fouled on the edge of the box but Barlow’s free kick was inches too high as The Ambers threw everything at the visitors.
Recently introduced substitute Matty Hughes then got in at the back post but the cross struck him on the chest and the ball bounced into the grateful Kelly’s arms, and the winger was then put through one on one by Dunne but couldn’t keep his shot down and another opportunity was gone, but not for long as Dunne’s lay off to Bagley was swiftly despatched into the back of the net to deservedly level things up.
The Ambers were now well in the mood and a great through ball by Fewkes picked out Hughes racing through, but Kelly was again swiftly off his line to save his team. A debatable free kick was then awarded to the visitors, but there was no debate about the result as Naidole’s well struck effort flew into the top corner giving Parkin absolutely no chance.
Alfie Dodsworth and debutant Owen Haigh were then introduced as The Ambers pushed to try and get a point, and the latter, playing in an unfamiliar role up front, did everything asked of him as he won every header, and the two combined well before Dodsworth volleyed just wide of the far post.
Some unnecessary ‘handbags’ deep into injury time did no one any favours and time eventually ran out for The Ambers who will look back and wonder how they didn’t come out of the game with the point that they undoubtedly deserved.