Recap

Blues cut down The Tulips to take all three points…

It was muddy, scruffy, scrappy, nervy and utterly beautiful! On an afternoon when the conditions were, in racing parlance, decidedly heavy, the Azzurri took it late with a Jacob Hazel double.

With Jonny Margetts (suspension) and Brad Beatson (a knock) sidelined, in came two new signings Nathan Hotte and Oliver Valentine. Hotte is defender/midfielder signed from Gainsborough with a bucketload of National League experience from his time at Alfreton, Halifax, Bradford PA and North Ferriby United. Whilst Valentine is a young wing back from New Zealand.

Early on, Paul Sherburn danced into the area to create an chance for Les Bleus but Jacob Hazel’s shot was blocked. Brad Wells then glanced his 8th minute header just over.

Spalding’s first serious attempt came from distance, hitting the bar on 20 minutes. This was followed by a 29th minute free kick that cleared the bar.

On the half hour one of the Blues’ debutants, Oliver Valentine, hit a rasping drive from 25 yards that Tulips’ keeper Michael Duggan clawed away.‬ Moments later, Tom Davie repeated the trick with the same result.

In the 42nd minute, Haze nicked the ball from under the keeper’s nose for Wells to put the ball in the onion bag only for the linesman to flag for offside.

Jacko kept it scoreless going into the break, courtesy of a decent stop with his legs on the stroke of half time. HT 0-0.

In the second period, it took until the 56th minute before either side had a chance worthy of the name with Jake Currie having a blast at goal only to see it diverted wide.

The next few minutes minutes were more attritional, scrapping football, both sides having no more than half chances.

With 25 minutes to go Lewis Brownhill went close from 20 yards for Spalding, his attempt going narrowly wide of the post.

The Tulips took the lead in the 71st minute with a sweeping move that ended with a low cross into the six yard box for Kevin Bastos to net from close range.

But the Boys in Blue dug in and with 9 minutes to go Hazel got on the end of Tom Davie’s through ball before slotting a low diagonal shot past the keeper to level the game.

Both sides went close in the final minutes, the Blues having one cleared off the line and Spalding hitting the woodwork again.

Then in the last minute, a Tom Davie corner was directed goalwards by Brad Wells for Haze to scramble it over the line to make it 2-1. Haze’s late brace were his 109th and 110th goals for Frickley but more importantly they saw the Azzurri over the line for another 3 points. FT 2-1.

Well, it wasn’t pretty but the lads showed that they never give up and the result was everything. A word for the visitors here too, they gave it their all and made this game a proper Northern Premier League battle. I loved it!

WEBMASTER MOTM – This was a day for combative performances and we got them in spades. Nathan Hotte and Oliver Valentine slotted into the Blue Machine as if they’d always been there and were solid throughout. Toddy, Tom ‘Two Assists’ Davie and Strictly Sherburn were as imperious going forward as they were in the defensive third. The ball must have been like a bar of soap but TJ took it in his stride, pulling off a couple of crucial stops. Big Dog Currie and Prickly Holli put in the dogged shift in the engine room that we’ve come to expect of them. Up front, Tyler tirelessly probed away at the Spalding full backs whilst Brad Wells was grit and determination personified. However, the Glitterball goes to Jacob Hazel, he was a like a predator just waiting for a chance to pounce, and when they came, well, you know the rest… Congrats to all!

TWITTER POLL MOTM – The twittersphere agreed with me (of course they did) and Haze took top spot. Tom Davie, Oliver Valentine, Jake Currie and Tom Jackson also polled. Thank you to everyone who voted.

162 through the gate, thanks for coming out and supporting your local team on a grotty day. It was much appreciated.

We are next at home on Tuesday when we face Stocksbridge Park Steels in the Sheffield Cup, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there.