Frickley Athletic v Shildon AFC

Recap

If anyone can remember the footy highlights programme that used to be on Yorkshire Telly on Sunday arvo in the 70s – Keith Macklin commentating, the Baseball Ground with more sand on it than Ingoldmells, Mick McGiven kicking lumps out of Steve Kindon, Alan Garner trying to put Ernie Hunt in row Z, proper toe to toe ding dong battles & usually tipping it down – well we got a 2021 version of that yesterday. A real set to of a game with the rain leathering it down – I loved it!

The Azzurri had to reshuffle again (twas ever thus!) – Jordan Pierrepoint has been recalled by Basford so we saw the introduction of Josh Chapman, signed on loan from The Millers, Gary King has moved on, Joe Stacey is still injured, Nyle is ill & Metts was unavailable. This meant a debut for Ben Morris who started on the bench & The Bomber returned after suspension (& scored of course!)

Here’s what the Maestro thought about it:

Frickley took it to Shildon as they took a point off the 3rd placed team and almost took all three.
Playing down the hill, Joe West’s rasping drive stung Shaun Newbrook’s palms in the Shildon net after 5 minutes. Shildon promptly went down the other end and hit the post. That was a warning as Shildon took the lead on 12 minutes, crashing a loose ball into the roof of the net.
Torrential rain saw to it that chances were at a premium but just before the half hour mark, Dev Morton broke through but his shot was well blocked.
The hosts were level 5 minutes before the break when Brad Wells headed home a tantalisingly hanging cross from Tyler Williams on his 150th appearance for Frickley.
The defences reigned supreme for the opening 15 minutes of the second half. The only moments of note were a Shildon goal disallowed for offside and a superb last-ditch block by Frickley’s Ben Morris.
Morris created an opportunity for Joe West in the 73rd but it was hit straight at the keeper.
An 81st minute defensive slip by the home side let in Shildon’s Sweet but Tyler William’s chased back to tackle, injuring himself in the process. Then Wells set up sub Piteu Crouz who forced a fine save out of Shildon’s Newbrook. He repeated the trick in response to a Crouz free kick moments later to secure the away point.

Back to me – a very good game to watch despite the conditions – you would have been hard pressed to know which team was 3rd & which was mid table. Although Shildon had plenty of the ball we didn’t allow to do anything with it. A good point earned & who knows, on another day we get all 3.

WEBMASTER POTM – not easy as there were strong performances across the park. Kegan & Holli in mid were superb again, Ben Morris looked really good when he came on, Wellsy gave us a Wellsy, Dev Morton had his best game in a blue shirt but I’m ‘copping out’ & I’m giving the Glitterball to the defensive unit. They are getting stronger with every game

TWITTER POLL MOTM – The Beast comes out on top again, he really is playing well at the moment, followed by Big Dev, Tyler & Holli. Thank you to everyone who voted

133 through the gate – thank you to everyone who supported us yesterday. I know it’s Xmas soon & I know the weather was horrible but these boys defo deserve more than that through the gate so please drag a mate or 2 along next time we play at home. They will thank you for it later!!!!

Big Sax gives you his thoughts on the game & so do our October & November Players Of The Month (Brad W & Brad B respectively – all videos available on our You Tube channel) & yesterday was Tylers 150th game as an Azzurri & here is what he thought (some player is that Tyler – what a boy!)

John Hobsons photo blog will be up later – I especially like his goal montage for Wellsys equaliser

Next up we are away to Brighouse next Saturday – full preview in the week – no supporters coach for this one so get your map books out – hope to see plenty of Azzurri in attendance