Kieran Wells scored to send Handsworth Parramore through in the FA Vase
Kieran Wells’ early strike was enough for Handsworth Parramore in their single goal FA Vase first qualifying round victory over AFC Liverpool at Sandy Lane.
Both sides created early chances in an open attacking game, with the visitors coming close as early as the second minute when a Jones strike was well parried by Archie Sneath. The Ambers immediately hit back with an effort of their own when Ben Starosta’s cross found Wells in space in the box but he couldn’t keep his header down.
The striker then had another early header saved after a Richard Tootle run and cross forced a corner, and with the pressure building, Simon Harrison broke into the box and was brought down for a nailed on penalty. Top scorer Jon Froggatt took the kick but could not repeat last week’s success as Ryan Jones in the Liverpool goal saved well.
The missed opportunity did not halt The Ambers progress though and Starosta in particular was showing up well on the right. His next cross just evaded Wells and Froggatt but the one after was met by the head of Wells who steered it past Jones to put The Ambers ahead.
The visitors responded well with Connor Belger firing over from distance before some suicidal defending let in Froggatt who fed Wells but to everyone’s astonishment, the front man failed to hit the target. Handsworth were then indebted to Gareth Griffiths who made an excellent goal line clearance as Liverpool started to exert some serious pressure but generally they were being limited to long range shots which rarely troubled Sneath.
The second half began with the visitors continuing to chase the game and after 49 minutes a good move down the right ended with Steve Warne bringing down an opponent in the box and the referee had no choice but to award the spot kick. Up stepped Jones but Sneath was equal to the task and he saved well down to his right to preserve the lead.
The penalty miss seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Liverpool players and Harrison and Froggatt both went close as The Ambers grabbed a foothold.
A cross-cum-shot from Froggatt was almost converted at the back stick by Rippon before a good break and strike from Francis Barry rolled just wide as the game continued to flow from end to end between two very well matched teams.
Nathan Joynes and Callum Harrison were then introduced and both gave excellent cameo performances as Handsworth closed out the game, although it took a goal line clearance from Starosta to secure the victory.
A last minute red card for the visiting Belger spoiled an otherwise well spirited game and The Ambers will now host Cheadle Town in the next round.
Handsworth Parramore: Sneath, Starosta, Tootle, Griffiths, Haggerty, Marrison, Buttle, S Harrison, Warne, Wells, Froggatt. Subs: Joynes, C Harrison, Rippon, Holden, Rupere.
Thanks to Ian Robinson from Handsworth Parramore for this report.