This game in the Windsor Food Service Sheffield & Hallamshire Premier division (got that?) had the kickoff time of 6pm, which was a nice idea with evenings getting longer and lighter as we moved towards Summer. This was in complete contrast to the cup game at Swallownest which kicked off at 1.30pm on a Saturday. Everest's ground was located at the back of what used to be Handsworth Working Men's Club, and was now the Holme Lea pub. Confusingly, Handsworth FC themselves don't play in Handsworth, but actually in the Darnall area. The ground was as I expected, with a blue rope marking the perimeter of the pitch, and a small set of changing rooms away to the left. I arrived bang on 6pm, but with my luck the game kicked off later than expected at 6.30 - I had visions of playing in the dark if the game wasn't done by sunset!
Everest, playing in blue, looked to dominate their opponents from the start, with no 11 put through, before the Eccleshill goalie saved with his legs. Shortly after, the Everest no 6 hit the post with a clean shot from his right foot. The chances continued, with 11 firing straight at the keeper from close range, and 8 taking a long shot straight at the keeper. Slowly, Eccleshill started to get into the game, their no 11 taking a long range shot which flew just wide of the post, before their no 9 clipped a shot straight at the Everest goalie. Just before halftime, Everest's no 9 had a header saved.
The second half was as evenly matched as the first, though I did sense that Everest looked like the better team. Against the run of play, Eccleshill scored with no 8 chipping over the goalie in a one-on-one situation, the ball dropping into the top left corner of the net. They threatened to score again, with the no 7 sending a free kick dipping just over the crossbar. No 10 shot low to the keeper's left, with only a flying save keeping it out. Everest responded to the attacks with more aggression and direction, number 6 hitting a stinging shot straight at the keeper. The momentum swung back into Everest's favour when they won a penalty after the Eccleshill no 5 clearly hand-balled inside the area. It was becoming windy and wild, and I wondered if this would cause the penalty taker a problem. He had no such difficulties and planted a low shot into the corner of the net - a good penalty well-executed. Final score 1-1 and a deserved point for both sides.
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