Frickley Athletic v Sheffield FC

Recap

As I traversed my way home on Saturday evening, negotiating the sunkissed speed bumps of Great Houghton, I wasn’t sure whether we’d been poor & dropped 2 points or whether we had battled with 10 men to gain a point

We were certainly not at the races up to the sending off of BMW (Big Mikey Williams) but then we played for more than an hour with 10 men, on a very warm day, & almost took the 3 points at the death – so I guess it was a combination of the 2.

I didn’t see what occurred to lead to the red card so I can’t comment on it – but it means we will be without BMW for 3 games

Here is what Garforths Top Boy had to say about it:

Despite being down to ten men and out on their feet with minutes to go, the home side showed some fight in battling for a crucial point in this relegation scrap.
Sheffield showed early intent when Marc Newsham flashed a header wide after just 70 seconds. The home side responded with a low drive from Rod Orlando Young, pushed round the post by Ryan Musselwhite in the Sheffield net.
Nathan Modest volleyed over for the World’s First from a Sam Greenhouse cross in the 12th minute. And ten minutes later, Newsham charged down a clearance by Frickley keeper Aiden Smith but Smith scrambled the shot clear.
The visitors were ahead in the 24th minute when centre half Jamie Robinson powered home his header from a corner. Then to add insult to injury, the ref showed Frickley’s MIkey Williams a straight red for an innocuous off the ball incident.
However, Frickley were level 3 minutes later as Young jinked about in the box before sticking his shot in the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Scott Ruthven hit the post for Sheffield on 35 minutes and moments after, Young’s angled shot was well stopped by Musselwhite.
Sheffield were ahead again before the break when the home defence allowed Newsham the time to set himself for a laboured overhead kick that ended up in the corner of the net.
The second half opened in cagey fashion. It took until the 65th minute before the first chance worthy of the name and the majority fell to Sheffield. Newsham smashed a Manasse Kianga cross wide of the goal, Robinson headed wide from another corner and, in the last ten minutes, Scott Baxendale’s corner hit the post for Sheffield.
But with four minutes to go Frickley equalised as Brad Wells tucked away the loose ball after a goalmouth melee. Then supersub Leon Mettam rolled back the years and in quick succession forced a fine save from his free kick then hit the bar, moments later.

Back to me: although we would have wanted to take all 3 points (which we almost did), this 1 point could be very important in the final shake up – but we needed a 36 year old who can’t run (his words) to inject some energy & urgency both on & off the field (it had gone very quiet in the main stand up to Metts cameo) & he showed he’s still got it. An excellent free kick at the death was well saved by the keeper & the resulting corner saw him smash a shot against the crossbar – what an end to the game that would have been

WEBMASTER MOTM – Arun Jones was excellent again & I really like the way Freddie Pitts plays. Bomber ran his nuts off again & scored the vital equaliser. Rod Orlando Young was our main source of creativity & there is a real buzz in the crowd whenever he gets the ball. But I’m giving the Glitterball to the Old Man for turning the game in our favour – there was a massive lift when he came on & I think he’d have won it for us if the game had gone on much longer

TWITTER POLL MOTM – ROY takes the fans vote, with Metts, Arun Jones & Wellsy tucked in behind him. Thank you to everyone who voted – all votes will contribute to the March Player Of The Month which we will announce shortly

214 through the gate – thank you to everyone who turned out when it would have been easier to sit in the garden with a beer

Here’s what the Gaffer thought about it

Next up we are away to Cleethorpes – it’ll be tough but we’ve got the minerals – we will be running a supporters coach to the game, departing North Elmsall at 12.30pm. £10 adults, £5 under 16s – call / text Ian on 07790 569075 to book your place(s)

One final point, if you’re an adult setting off flares at a game & throwing them on the pitch, you might want to give your head a shake &

1. Grow up
2. Stop drinking beer that’s too strong for you
3. Grow up