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Unbelievably it has now been almost 2 years since I last visited Oliver's Mount. Today's 1pm kick off was an ideal opportunity to revisit, particularly given the proximity of the ground to home. As luck would have it, this was one of only a few local games on - when I checked later on, games at Stocksbridge and Hallam had been called off due to frost or water-logged pitches. The ground has changed relatively little since my last visit, except for the removal of the trees behind the far goal.
Handsworth are the holders of this county FA competition, and came into this Quarter-final looking to retain their title. At almost every level, Handsworth's teams are challenging for silverware season after season, so it was no surprise that yet again they are in the hunt for honours. Their opponents were a Stocksbridge Reserves side who are no pushovers themselves.
Like last week's match at the 'Swal Siro' this was a tight game. Neither team genuinely dominated for a long period. The first half was largely played in compact triangles across the pitch, which is a compliment to both sides. Each team had a 5-10 minute spell of possession and half-chances and then it would swing the other way.
The closest clear-cut chance came in about the 25th minute, when a curling free-kick from Stocksbridge's 8 rattled the crossbar. Later in the half, their striker (9) rounded the keeper but could only slide his shot onto the outside of the post. Handsworth had the odd effort, most notably when 5 was played through and could only ping his shot wide at the 'Railway End'.
The second period was as tight as the first. Just when it seemed like an opportunity or goal would arrive, a defender would make a key intervention and the pendulum would swing the other way. Stocksbridge - in bright yellow shirts and blue shorts - had the best of the half-chances. Their number 7's header over the keeper was cleared off the line by an alert defender, and then 10 weaved through the home defence before blasting over.
Extra time was played out in a similar fashion. I had a feeling that even if these teams played all day, there would be no goal! The second period of extra time nearly brought a breakthrough - firstly when Stocksbridge's 12 had a good effort palmed away by the keeper, and then when a goalmouth scramble looked like it had resulted in a goal. But it had not crossed the line, much to the protestations of the away side. Handsworth's main threat came on the right, where 11 and 12 frequently opened up play, but they couldn't carve out any genuine chances.
So to penalties. I believe this is actually the first match on my blog to go to penalties (apart from Eccleshall, when I had to leave early to catch a bus). Both sides scored their opening two spot-kicks. Then at 2-2, Handsworth's 12 planted a brilliant kick into the top corner - it takes some nerve to do this in a shoot-out. Someone had to blink, and it was Stocksbridge's 11, whose effort was turned away low at the keeper's left. Advantage the Ambers. They went 4-2 up when 7 converted. Stocksbridge's captain (number 6) stepped up and smashed his penalty to the right of the keeper only to see it brilliantly turned around the post. The home side ran jubilantly from the centre circle, and celebrated their march to the semi-finals. For absolutely no cost today I had seen a decent, if tight match, across 120 minutes, plus penalties. Thanks to Handsworth for a great afternoon of entertainment.
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