The Ambers returned to action in the hunt for a fifth consecutive League victory, but with the opposition in the shape of Penistone Church, it was certainly not a given as both teams knew that a maximum return could elevate them into the top three.
Handsworth started the game well with an early Sam Fewkes effort deflected for a corner after some good play from Alfie Dodsworth, but Church rallied well and after Ryan’s smart turn and shot was deflected away for a corner, Dylan Parkin sprang into action to tip a deflected effort from last season’s match winner Hurles-Brook around the post, Brennan heading the resultant corner well over the bar.
After Brown’s cross-come-shot flew dangerously across the Ambers six yard box, a quick break upfield ended with Dodsworth’s effort being saved by Ambler, before Mitch Dunne picked up a loose ball, cut inside and curled an effort just the wrong side of the post. The striker was then disappointed to blast an effort well over from the edge of the box after a 1-2 with first time starter Tom Bishop had left him with a clear sight of goal.
Bishop was then at the heart of a quick break after a Wells flick on, but was stopped in his tracks by a strong challenge which earned Brennan a yellow card, and from Dodsworth’s free kick, Johno Williams rose to flick his header goalwards but Ambler was on hand to grab the ball.
Brown then headed a close range effort over from Ryan’s set up after a Simpson free kick had picked him out in the box, whilst at the other end, Wells chased down a pass down the left wing but was unable to lift the ball sufficiently high enough to clear Ambler who saved comfortably.
After a good Ambers spell, the visitors were soon back on the front foot as Keightley and Ryan tested Parkin in quick succession but the Handsworth stopper repelled both efforts, before Coduri cleared the bar with an attempt from way out. Just a minute later, came a moment of real quality, as the in form Dunne made it third time lucky as he cut inside and buried a screamer beyond the diving Ambler to set the ground alight.
As half time approached, The Ambers were then indebted to the defensive skills of Tom Cropper who produced a fine block tackle to deny Ryan after Hurles-Brook had set him up for a shot in the box, and that proved to be an important moment, as within three minutes of the re-start, Wells headed home at the far post from Bishop’s pinpoint cross to double the lead, and it almost got even better for the hosts when Mike Trench raced onto Dodsworth’s weighted pass to lash the ball against the bar.
To their credit, Church re-grouped and should really have halved the arrears minutes later, firstly when Coduri miscued in the box after a good link up with Ryan, and then when Hurles-Brook headed wide with the goal at his mercy. Dunne then volleyed wide and Dodsworth saw his low strike saved by Ambler, whilst at the other end a quick Penistone break ended with Brown creating space for himself before thrashing the ball way over the bar.
Dunne then slipped the ball through to Dodsworth and as he was about to unleash his shot, an excellent tackle by Brettoner averted the danger, but within a minute Bishop was sent crashing to the ground and a penalty was awarded to The Ambers. The chance to put the game to bed wasn’t taken however as Williams was unable to celebrate his 50th Ambers appearance, Ambler throwing himself to his right to push the spot kick away.
Ryan forced another regulation save from Parkin before a great move between Bishop and Dunne set up Dodsworth but the ball just got caught under his feet, and that was the last action for the number 7 as he limped off to be replaced by Brandon Bagley. Further substitutions saw Craig Nelthorpe, Sam Cooper and Craig Mitchell introduced as The Ambers wound the clock down and saw out the game without any further danger.
So it was The Ambers who came out on top after a fine performance and climbed into the top three ahead of yet another South Yorkshire derby at Maltby on Saturday.