Handsworth Boys JFC win Under 16s Final
The photo shows Glyn Holmes, General Manager of Burrows Toyota, Penistone Road, presenting the cup to Handsworth captain, Joe Turner, with the rest of the Handsworth team looking on.
Handsworth manager Tim Day said the Young Owls deserve massive credit for their performance with only eleven fit players.
“Young Owls put up a big fight, they closed us down and made it very difficult for us.”
“We tried to work hard with the passing game but they stopped us, they closed us down and got marked up properly, but we were able to get the goals that matter, we took our chances they didn’t.
“Both teams are a credit to both clubs.”
The opening few minutes of the game were very tentative, with both teams battling hard to try and get a foothold in the game.
However the first chance fell to Young Owls, when tricky forward Harry Groombridge was played through after a quick free-kick only to see his cross cleared off the line by the Handsworth defence.
Three minutes later Handsworth’s powerful midfielder, Luke Francis, saw his free kick drift inches past the left hand post.
Handsworth’s opener came on the 12th minute when winger Zakaria Khalifa curled a powerful shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Young Owls hit back immediately and got the equaliser three minutes later, when striker Rene Marsden went through on goal and coolly slide the ball into the bottom corner.
As Handsworth slowly began to control the half, Young Owls keeper Jake Lancini sprang into action when he smothered a shot from Handsworth’s Liam Beighton after he was played through on goal.
After 27 minutes, Handsworth defender Niall Martin, went on a marauding run down the left flank only to be stopped by Lancini after beating two players.
It looked as if the work rate and defensive organisation from the Young Owls was going to see them through to half time still level, but with ten minutes to go to the half time whistle, Khalifa got his second of the game when he broke free and slotted the ball into bottom corner to make it 2 – 1.
Handsworth picked up where they left off in the second half, trying to control possession and get in behind the stubborn Young Owls defence.
Their final goal came after 66 minutes when defender Harry Hurst placed a volley past Lancini from a corner.
Minutes later, Handsworth were denied a fourth when Louis Ballard’s goal was disallowed after being caught in an offside position.
Overall both teams contributed to a fantastic final which was played in good spirit and officiated brilliantly by Mick Bell, Andy Butler, Glenn Whitehead and Chris Denton.
Sheffield & Hallamshire CFA would like to sincerely thank Frickley Athletic FC for staging the final and the support from Burrows Toyota through the season.
To find out more about Burrows Toyota visit their web site