Frickley Athletic were able to celebrate their first win of 2026 when they came away from Handsworth with a morale-boosting 2-1 success in the Macron NCE Premier Division.

A five-match run without a win dating back to December 12 was ended by second half goals from Joel Spencer and Charlie Clegg.

Although home side Handsworth, who came into the game in third place, hit back with a late goal from the penalty spot by Josh Nodder it was the Blues who took all three points to climb back up to tenth place in the Premier to be looking upwards again.

There was no fluke abut the victory as Frickley more than matched their high flying opponents on a ground where they had never won before.

Charles Price was chosen as sponsors man of the match after a promising debut for Frickley Athletic at Handsworth. Picture: Frickley Athletic

placeholder image — Charles Price was chosen as sponsors man of the match after a promising debut for Frickley Athletic at Handsworth. Picture: Frickley Athletic

The hosts carried an early threat with a free-kick they fired wide, but the Blues showed their attacking intent with new signing Charlie Price smashing in a shot that had to be saved.

The home keeper was tested again by Tom Alngohuro’s shot from the edge of the box while Handsworth were off target with a couple of efforts.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men for 10 minutes when Mitchell Dunne was sin-binned and were still down a man five minutes into the second half when Frickley took the lead.

Skipper Spencer broke the deadlock with a terrific strike from outside the box that gave the keeper no chance

When back to their full number Handsworth got on top for a spell with keeper William Sykes having to be alert to keep out a firm angled shot.

The home team thought they had levelled just past the hour mark when they bundled the ball home from a free-kick only for an offside flag to deny them.

Liam Love headed another effort off the line and the visitors held firm against further pressure.

They did more than that on 75 minutes when doubling their advantage as Josh Lindley’s corner dropped to Lucas Robinson and his measured cross was nodded on by Thomas Radley to Clegg who fired home from a tight angle.

Frickley came close to another as their second debutant Oluwafeyisayomi Afuape went on a fine run and had a shot saved. Price reacted quickest to pounce on the rebound, but was unlucky to see his effort hit the woodwork.

Barnsley Academy youngsters Afuape and Cleggy then combined neatly to set up Robinson only for the keeper to make another save.

Handsworth kept going and hit the post before scoring deep into added time when a penalty was awarded for handball by Radley. Former Frickley player Nodder put away the spot kick, but it was too late to affect the outcome.

The win was just the tonic Frickley needed as they face a tough run of fixtures, including a home game with second-placed Beverley Town this Saturday.