Ambers season ends in stalemate

The Ambers’ league campaign ended with an entertaining and hard fought 0-0 draw at Barton Town in an almost exact repeat of last season’s game, and once again, when there was nothing to choose between the two teams.
There was a surprise selection ahead of the game when 16 year old Tom Hill was given his first league start between the sticks due to the injury related absence of regular custodian Tom Crosby, and the youngster took his opportunity with aplomb as he kept the hosts at bay, and helped by some stout defending by those in front of him, was fully deserving of his clean sheet. There were also welcome returns after injury for Leon Howarth and Owen Haigh, who was given an unexpected starting berth in midfield.
Barton were quick out of the blocks and looked odds on to take the lead as early as the 4th minute when top scorer Waudby raced through but his early shot was well kept out by Hill, who looked ten feet taller after that positive early involvement.
The Ambers responded well and Howarth’s attempt from Tom Cropper’s cross landed on the roof of the net before the striker’s next effort was hacked off the line following a corner. As both sides charged forward at every opportunity, Waudby curled an effort wide before Alfie Dodsworth shot narrowly wide after Mitch Dunne had set him up. Even the Ambers back line were getting involved in the hunt for the elusive first goal, with a fine scissored volley from Henry Carne whistling just over the top before Michael Trench fired over from distance.
Hill then took his place back in the spotlight as The Swans roared back into action, saving a close range header at the back post before again denying Waudby and then tipping Davie’s well struck effort over the bar, and the half finished with his opposite number Mitchell denying Carne and Howarth in quick succession.
The second half started in similar fashion with Dunne’s effort saved by Mitchell, before a controversial decision by the referee saw Carne red carded after a coming together just outside the box, the defender adjudged to be the last man. From my viewpoint at the opposite side of the pitch, it looked like a correct decision, but others closer to the action deemed it a tangle of legs as both players tried to reach the ball first and thought the Ambers man was harshly treated. For those who like their trivia, it was young Henry’s second red card, the first one last season remarkably coming against the same opponents.
The Ambers decided that the best form of defence was attack and Johno Williams was brought on from the bench, with Haigh dropping back alongside him, and Dunne dropping into a deeper role alongside skipper Sam Fewkes.
The bench was soon emptied as tired legs began to show, and Masai Arbouin, Leiwi Abraham and Tom Bishop were all introduced, and it almost paid dividends as Handsworth were -now on the front foot and for a good 15-20 minutes, looked like they were the side with the extra man.
Dunne was running the show and three times he found the overlapping Cropper, and only some excellent defending by the home defenders kept The Ambers at bay, but as the minutes ticked away, The Swans wrestled back control and the expected onslaught arrived with Waudby leading the way. However, Hill proved equal to everything that Barton threw at him, albeit he must have been holding his breath when a 97th minute free kick whistled just past his left hand post, in what proved to be the last kick of the game.
And so, another season comes to a close, with The Ambers currently sat in 13th place, although Barton could overtake us if they manage to pick up eight points from their last five games over the next fortnight.
To all Ambers fans, thank you for your support throughout the season and enjoy the break before it all starts again at the end of July!