Recap

Frickley 1 Campion 1

(FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

The Blues ended a run of 6 consecutive FA Cup defeats with a hard fought 1-1 draw against Campion in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round, setting up a replay on Wednesday with a place in the next round at stake.

With the road to Wembley beginning in warm conditions, neither side was prepared to give much away during the opening exchanges as the 2 teams looked to work each other out.

Los Azules produced the first really promising piece of play in the 8th minute when Gagen switched the ball superbly across the field towards Cable. The pass opened up space for The Azzurri, but the Campion defence reacted quickly to snuff out the danger.

The visitors then threatened from a free kick in the 13th minute, awarded in a dangerous position on the left side of the penalty area. Radley was perfectly positioned to meet the delivery, producing an excellent header to clear the lines.

Flanagan and Roberts combined well 4 minutes later, with a long ball forward flicked on into Roberts’ path. Advantage was played after Flanagan was taken out, but the opportunity ultimately came to nothing.

With temperatures rising, a drinks break was taken around the midway point of the half to bring back memories of the World Cup.

Campion were awarded another free kick in the 29th minute, just outside the area. The effort struck the defensive wall and flew behind for a corner, which was subsequently dealt with by Les Bleus.

Then De Blauwen got a toehold in the game in the 32nd minute. A ball forward found Flanagan, who showed excellent composure to take it around the Campion keeper before beating another defender and firing the ball into the net.

The goal gave The Blues renewed momentum, nearly doubling the advantage 6 minutes later. The ball broke into the Campion penalty box and fell to Charlie Price, whose effort took a deflection and fell kindly for Flanagan. The Frickley forward’s shot hit a defender and the ball was diverted behind for a corner. The resulting set piece was cleared.

Price was shown a yellow card in the 38th minute following a foul on a Campion player, with any threat from the resulting free kick again being nullified by the Blue defence.

Campion appealed for a penno on the stroke of half time, but the ref was rightly unmoved and Les Blues retained the narrow lead going into the interval. HT 1-0.

The second period began with the Campion number 5 getting his name in the book for cynically pulling Cable back as he appeared to be going clear onto a through ball. The resulting free kick, from midway inside the visitors’ half, was played into the box but cleared.

2 minutes later the visitors put a tricky ball into the Frickley area, with Sam Kilner doing well to put it behind for a corner before then rising to head away the resulting ball in.

In the 54th minute, Jayden Roberts raced onto a long ball over the top and had his shirt pulled by a Campion defender. Nothing given. Then he was tackled from behind as the ball went out for a Frickley throw.

The Blues had a chance to extend the lead in the 65th minute. Dacre’s ball forward was flicked on by Cable into the path of Flanagan, but his strike was straight at the keeper.

There was a brief stoppage soon after with another drinks break taken in the increasingly warm conditions.

The Blues made their first changes in the 73rd minute, with Flanagan and Roberts making way for Williams and Wright.

Unfortunately for The Boys in Blue, the visitors found their way back into the game just a couple of minutes later. A corner was swung in and their number 9 got his head on it and the ball took a deflection off a Frickley player to send the ball past Azzurri custodian Harold Edjangue for a Campion equaliser.

Los Azules responded positively. Excellent combination play involving Cable, Williams and Wright opened up the Campion defence in the 78th minute. Bailey Wright drove a low cross right across the face of goal, but there was nobody in a Blue shirt able to get the vital touch.

The ball fell to the aforementioned Campion 9 on the edge of the 18 yard box with 10 minutes to go, but this time his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Luke Williams then drove forward down the right flank in the 83rd minute and saw his progress blocked by a defender. The resulting corner was delivered into the danger area but cleared again.

With 5 minutes remaining, The Azzurri made a second set of changes as Cable and Price were replaced by Clegg and Woolford, in an attempt to find a decisive second goal.

De Blauwen did have one final opportunity to snatch victory before the final whistle. An 87th minute free kick was hit into the opposition penalty area by Harry Carmody, with Josh Dacre making a firm connection but his header went over the bar. FT 1-1.

So The Blues will play a first FA Cup replay in 15 years as we look to keep our cup dreams alive and book a trip to face the winners of North Ferriby and St Helens FC, who also drew their game (2-2), in the Preliminary Round. The road to Wembley continues….

WEBMASTER MOTM – if you can’t win, then don’t lose, and against another of our bogey sides, that is worthy of note. Tom Radley, Sam Cable and Liam Flanagan were standouts, and subs Luke Williams and Bailey Wright continued to take the fight to Campion. But the Glitterball goes to Sam Kilner. An unsung hero, he keeps doing his job with that impressive calm and poise that he’s renowned for. Killin’ it, Killer!

TWITTER MOTM – Tom Radley takes it from Sam Kilner, Sam Cable and Liam Flanagan. Thanks to all who voted. (Stat attack – first time to my knowledge that all 4 nominees first names all ended in the same letter – M! Huge thanks to Michael Johnson for alerting us to what will potentially become a pub quiz staple in the SESKU area for many years to come!)

SUPPORTERS’ MOTM – Sam Cable was chosen by Greg Gardham and Barry Johnson. Well done, Sam!

145 through the gate. Thank you for choosing to spend your hard earned, backing The Blues in the FA Cup, down at The Lane!

To see the photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Wednesday 12th August when we travel to Campion for the replay to settle this Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD