Recap

Groovin’ at the Grove!

Yesterday was definitely a game of 2 halves…..& Frickley were excellent in both of them!! They gave us great display of 1 touch passing & movement in the first half & a defensive smash & grab masterclass in the second.

Our opener came in the 8th minute, Tyler got down the left flank & put a lovely ball in, Margs touched it on to Haze who controlled it & did what he’s done 104 times previously. The lead didn’t last long as Kidsgrove broke our defence & scored from close range.

Back up the other end & Margs had a good long range effort which the keeper saved well.

Just before half time came the game changing moment. The ball fell to the mercurial Malbon inside the Frickley 6 yard box & he doesn’t miss from there. No-one had told Tom Jackson though & he pulled off an incredible save – shades of Jim Montgomery for Sunderland vs Leeds in the ’73 FA Cup FInal (Google it kids) – to maintain parity at the end of the half.

We scored after 8 in the first & we scored after 8 in the second. A well worked corner ends up with Haze – boom, top bins, 2-1.

This was the trigger for Kidsgrove to throw all caution to the wind in search of a goal but they came up against Boocock, McGowan, Jordan, Davie & Williams in imperious form which meant Tom Jacksons workload was claiming crosses & dealing with speculative long range shots (which he did with great aplomb).

Frickley were still dangerous – Haze had a long range shot well saved & Margetts thundered a shot against the bar from distance.

With 10 minutes to go, the Azzurri applied the coup de grace. Tyler whipped a great ball in (again), Brad Wells sets up Haze & he picks his spot from close in. 3-1, Jacobs 107th goal for the club & his 9th hat trick. With those 3 his tally surpassed Keith Whiteley & Gary Hooley on the all time scoring list & he now sits 7th highest.

At this point Frecks made a few changes – Elliott Wilson replaced Margs & it was great to see Paul Sherburn & Ellis Hancock from our U21s getting a run out (Sherbs replaced Haze & Ellis replaced Brad Wells). In fact Strictly Sherbs showed some lovely footwork (of course he did) to set up Elliott but he shot just over.

3-1 the final score & despite everything that went off after the game I still only missed the first 15 minutes of Strictly (thanks to KDogg who got me home post haste – bless you sir).

WEBMASTER MOTM – I could make a case for every player winning it, so I will….TJ made the game changing save & dominated his box, the defensive unit were top drawer, Holli & Jake Currie did the work of 5 men in midfield, & up top Brad, Margs & Haze were like a belated Halloween nightmare for defenders. I could even award it to the entire team. But I’m not a non-binary being who sits on the fence. I’m awarding the Glitterball to Jane & Josh

TWITTER POLL MOTM – to back up the above ‘The Entire Team’ polled well & came in 2nd just behind Haze. Brad McGowan & Todd Jordan also picked up votes. Thank you to everyone who voted – all the votes are collated & counted towards the Player Of The Month award.

161 in attendance & once again good numbers from Frickley – I know the Gaffer appreciates the support & mentioned it in his interview after the game