Shaw Lane Aquaforce goalkeeper Jamie Bailey made a string of excellent saves in the 2-2 draw with Handsworth Parramore
Peter Duffield will know he is inheriting a good side after watching his new charges Handsworth Parramore almost snatch all three points at the death at Shaw Lane Aquaforce.
Aquaforce were clinging on for dear life after running out of gas in the excellent Toolstation NCEL Premier Division encounter which was a fantastic advertisement for the league.
Craig Elliott’s side did lead twice before being pegged back by Handsworth and the visitors had the home side on the rack during the last 20 minutes.
Handsworth have responded superbly to the departure of Russ Eagle.
Led by caretaker/player manager James Cotterill, Parramore won on Saturday against Garforth and they came up with another excellent display last night.
The torrential rain conditions did not help either side in the first half which was a tight and tense affair.
Handsworth had a series of half chances with former Nostell Miners Welfare striker Danny Critchlow getting in some good positions.
Shaw Lane should have taken the lead in the 21st minute. Jimmy Eyles’ strike was deflected onto the post by Cotterill and the close range rebound attempt by Joe Thornton was battered away off-the-line.
Aquaforce were fortunate to go in front towards half-time. Eyles’ swerving attempt from 25-yards deceived goalkeeper Andrew Sneath in the wind and rain and landed in the net.
The goal did not put Handsworth off as they finished the half strongly. Jamie Bailey pulled off one of the saves of the match to divert Sam Smith’s powerful drive away for a corner.
Critchlow was then prevented from scoring because of a last-ditch tackle by Shaw Lane captain Sam Denton.
As the second half started, the game shifted from a tight encounter to a wide open one. Handsworth took the game to Shaw Lane and only two excellent saves from Bailey initially kept them out.
Bailey denied long range strikes from Callum Ward and Richard Tootle before a scramble in the six-yard box enabled Gareth Griffiths to equalise.
Shaw Lane did enjoy being the better side for a brief period during which Shane Kelsey’s brilliant cross from the left was tapped home on the line by Lee Morris.
But Handsworth soon pulled into fifth gear again and started to mount the pressure on their opponents.
Bailey again was called upon to save Critchlow’s header, but he couldn’t do anything about the goal of the game.
Scott Maxfield’s run down the left-wing ended with a superbly flighted cross and the tall striker Smith leapt like a salmon to head the ball into the top corner – well out of Bailey’s reach.
It was clear at this point that Shaw Lane were struggling for legs. Handsworth were bringing on the big guns in Nicky Travis and Vill Powell to complete a fearsome attack.
Elliott responded by settling for a point and the introduction of centre-halves Richard Haigh and Luke Danville demonstrated that.
To Shaw Lane’s credit, they defended resolutely without being able to mount a proper attack.
It was a nervy last 15 minutes for them as Handsworth were the only team going to score.
Ultimately after eight minutes of injury-time Handsworth just ran out of time.
But Duffield will have been happy with what he saw ahead of the new era which begins at Armthorpe Welfare on Saturday.
Handsworth Parramore club development manager Steve Holmes, who helped run the team, said: “The performance was good.
“In the first half there wasn’t a great deal in it, but I thought we created some decent chances which we should have taken.
“We know Shaw Lane and we know the players inside out and we knew exactly where we needed to be at 70 minutes and I thought they were hanging for dear life.
“I was joking throughout the second half about the time, but I knew it would matter and I knew we needed as much added on as we got because I knew we would come strong like we did.
“We just said in the changing room that the lads have done the club proud and they were very unfortunate with three points.”
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Bailey, Stohrer, O’Brien, Foster, Denton, Holt, P Haigh (Danville 86), Fox, Morris (R Haigh 76), Eyles, Thornton (Kelsey HT). Subs unused: Nix, Conway.
Handsworth Parramore: Sneath, Tootle, Maxfield, Burrell, Cotterill, Griffiths, Ward (Cardwell 72), Fletcher, Smith, Whittington (Powell 83), Critchlow (Travis 72). Subs unused: Hill, Dawes.
Referee: Mark Dywer
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: 170
Man of the match: Jamie Bailey (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)