Frickley Athletic v Stocksbridge Park Steels

Recap

My journey to the game last night took me from Sheffield, over the M1 & down the Dearne Valley Parkway through Cortonwood. Then I traversed the moonlit uplands of Great Houghton towards the Brierley savannah. As I approached Burntwood, I glanced to my right to see one of the most majestic sights anyone will ever see….the floodies at the Everbuild Wezzie!!

Like a fiery beacon in a coal black sky, La vecchia Signora entices unsuspecting opposition towards their final fate – just like the Sirens of ancient Greece who lured ships onto the rocks, spilling seamen everywhere

Where were we? Oh yes, the footie. We almost had a settled team last night – the only changes from Saturday were Rod Orlando Young (more on him later) coming in for Nyle (who was unavailable) & Arun Jones kept his place in the starting line up having come on as sub at Liversedge

We were straight on the front foot with ROY grazing the post with a shot, then a cross was flashed across the box & just needed the coup de grace applying but we weren’t able. Then 2 more chances for ROY, one which he created himself & one as a result of a great team move, which he probably would have scored on another day

A lung busting break out of defence saw Jimmy Matthews shoot from distance but just over

The visitors had a rare incursion into our box but The Hangman pulled off a good save from close in,

Then, just before half time, another good team move saw the ball played to ROY who left his defender for dead & smashed the ball home from a tight angle

More of the same in the second half – a bit of ping pong in the box saw us have 3 bites of the same cherry but SPS were defending valiantly & putting their bodies literally & metaphorically on the line.

A Jimmy Matthews free kick when just over, then the keeper saved with his feet from The Bomber & Orlando Magic pulled a shot just wide.

Right at the death Rod broke down the left wing & cut inside into the box, in a similar fashion to his goal & tried to repeat the end result but his shot flashed narrowly over the bar.

Frickley saw out the second half & were rarely troubled defensively & at the end of the game The Azzurri were the Dogs Danglers & SPS were kicking the cat (POINT TO NOTE – at Frickley we don’t condone any abuse of sentient beings – although wasps can be nasty gets….)

So a win at home – quite some time since we had one of them – & we complete the double over Stocky

I’ve got to say it comes as a massive reward to the players, the management team, fans, everyone involved with the club – we’ve had to endure some tough times. Now let’s go & do it all again on Saturday, away to Sheffield FC. No supporters coach for this one but it would be superb to see big numbers of Azzurri at the game

Metts thoughts on tonight & the last few games

145 through the gate – thank you to everyone who turned up to support us

WEBMASTER MOTM – it was all about working as units last night – the defensive unit gave the SPS forwards virtually nothing, midfield unit broke down a lot of the SPS possession & set our attacks in motion & the attacking unit ran & attacked & ran & attacked. But I know you all like me to name names so here goes; best player on the pitch was Faulkner (again); most dangerous player on the pitch was Rod Orlando Young; having said that I’m giving the Glitterball to the skipper. Michael Hollingsworth was an absolute wrecking ball yesterday. Part man, part machine, 100% Frickley

TWITTER POLL MOTM – thank you to everyone who voted. Bobby Faulkner just nicked it from Rod, with Holli, Tyler & Arun Jones also polling votes

Enjoy the rest of your week & see you all on Saturday!