MATCH REPORT: HANDSWORTH VS SHEFFIELD FC (COUNTY CUP)

  • 04/01/2024
Academy product, Blake Freeman, made his debut for the 1st team

Sheffield FC exited the S&HCFA Senior Cup on Wednesday night, as they suffered a penalty shootout heartbreak against Handsworth, in a tie that was switched to Oliver Mount.

Club were beset by a catalogue of injuries and illegible players, and promoted six players from the development team to fill the multitude of gaps, however the gave a good account of themselves in a very even battle.

Chances were far and few between, with Luke Mangham looking most dangerous for Sheffield, whilst ex-Clubbie Mitch Dunne gave a few moments for the Ambers.
It had a sense of inevitability about heading to penalties - and that’s exactly what happened – the first six penalties were converted, Rory Coleman, Benni Ndlovu and Connor Cutts for Club, Owen Haigh, Mitch Dunne, and Leon Howarth for Handsworth.

The vital penalty came from Adam Watson, who sailed his effort high, wide and handsome, Craig Nelthorpe and Riley Noble exchanged successfully, leaving Rion Arbuoin the job of sealing the win with an emphatic finish, setting up a trip to Parkgate in the Quarter Finals.

Sheffield FC: 1 Edd Hall, 2 Rory Coleman, 3 Riley Noble, 4 Harry Mitchell, 5 Adam Watson, 6 Alfie Smith, 7 Ted Cribley, 8 Blake Freeman (Matt Roney 85'), 9 Luke Mangham (Connor Cutts 53'), 10 Benni Ndlovu, 11 Gabriel Oloko (Luis Afonso-Ferreira 35').

Subs: 12 Jack Shaw, 14 Connor Cutts, 15 Matt Roney, 16 Moses Johnson, 17 Luis Afonso-Ferreira

Handsworth FC: 1 Dylan Parkin, 2 Oliver Haigh, 3 Michael Trench, 4 Sam Fewkes, 5 Matt Reay, 6 Johno Williams (Rion Arbuoin 78'), 7 Leon Howarth, 8 Masai Arbuoin (Craig Nelthorpe 85'), 9 Aaron Moxam (Brandon Bagley 61'), 10 Mason Barlow (Craig Mitchell 69'), 11 Mitch Dunne.

Subs: 12 Craig Nelthorpe, 14 Brandon Bagley, 15 Craig Mitchell, 16 Rion Arbuoin, 17 Tom Hill

Attendance: 342

Referee: Danny Guest