Castlecroft Rangers F.C 1 vs 2 Handsworth GSOB B F.C

Castlecroft Rangers 1-2 Handsworth

Castlecroft Rangers slumped to a disappointing late defeat on the opening day of their Division 5 campaign at Elliott’s Lane.

The Crofters, who suffered relegation last season, displayed a relegation hangover on their return to competitive football as a lacklustre first half display set the tone for a Division 5 defeat at the first time of asking. Manager, Max Woodhouse, will point to several key players being missing, but will have hoped for a better start as the Crofters began life in the penultimate division of the Birmingham & District Football League.

With several key players absent, players playing in unfamiliar positions and three competitive debuts during the course of the match, the hosts looked disjointed and could not gain a foothold. Following adopting a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 formation in a successful pre-season, the Crofters struggled with this approach in the first half as the visitors penetrating runs from wide areas were causing problems. During the first period, they were indebted to Max Woodhouse, who pulled off a string of fine saves much to the visitor’s disbelief. Handsworth did however take a deserved lead. Midway through the first half, the striker took a pass down the side of the penalty area in his stride and scored from an acute angle.

Following a double substitution and a change of shape at half time, where Gennard was put into his familiar midfield role, Crofters grew into the game and created more chances but were always susceptible to being caught on the transition. After forcing a number of corners, the hosts nearly made one count as Collins floated a delivery to Ansell who headed agonisingly wide. The hosts did eventually level as Jones picked up the ball 30 yards out and sumptuously chipped the goalkeeper.

As the contest was reaching its conclusion, as Crofters tried to force a winner, they were caught on the break from their own corner as the visitors speedy attack took full advantage where their onrushing central midfielder finished the wingers inviting centre. Crofters will hope to have key players back for their away trip to Silhill D next week, retrieve the positive momentum they built in pre-season and get their season up and running.