Shildon AFC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

We’re 1 nil down & the Fat Lady is on the 2nd verse of ‘Mother Kellys Doorstep’…..then the heckling begins

Big Dev ‘scores’ but the liner (who seemed determined to give us nothing) chalks it out for offside – Shildon go straight down the other end to make it 2 nil – now the heckling ramps up

Big Dev repeats the dose & the liner can’t do anything about it, 20 minutes left. The clock ticks down, 7 minutes left & a through ball sees Josh Scott burst into the box & it’s in the onion bag, 2 each.

We huffed & we puffed but we couldn’t blow the third one in – & as it turned out every result went against us so if we had won we would have still ended up 2nd bottom. 2nd bottom is an automatic relegation spot – but then we hear that Yorkshire Ams have been relegated (neither they, the NPL or the FA have officially announced this yet) & with rumours swirling about regarding other clubs we still don’t know if we are in or out or play-offing it all about in the relegaition hokey cokey

Details, details, details…..

With Shildon safely in the playoffs, only a win for Frickley would give them any chance of avoiding the relegation places, the eventual draw wasn’t enough.
Frickley’s Brad Wells had a fine chance to open the scoring early on but his shot was very well saved by Shildon’s Matthew Bateman. Then Brad’s brother, Kieran, got on the end of a Josh Scott through ball and lobbed over from 6 yards out. But it was Shildon who drew first blood in the 28th minute when Dean Thexton latched on a defensive error and netted from a narrow angle.
Frickley kept up the attack going into half time as Kieran Wells headed onto the bar.
Frickley started the second half in similar fashion, Joe West forcing a decent stop from Bateman. Aiden Jones did the same for Frickley moments later.
The visitors piled on the pressure, had a goal disallowed but went two down as Nathan Whitehead headed into his own net in the 66th minute.
Frickley reduced the deficit in the 71st minute, Dev Morton volleying into the roof of the net from close range.
With 7 minutes to go, Bateman got his fingers to Josh Scott’s shot but could only deflect it into the net, and Frickley were level.
The final minutes were frantic but Frickley couldn’t get the winner they needed.
So Shildon go onto Tuesday’s playoff as Frickley go down as things stand.

Back to me – so we might get another bite of the cherry & we might not, we will let you know as soon as we know. Everyone laid it on the line yesterday – as they have all season – but this time is was allied with liberal doses of grit, determination & skill

WEBMASTER MOTM – despite the early disturbance of losing Brad Wells, the front line looked dangerous all afternoon. Wells (K) showing all his craft, Rod giving us the creative outlet & Josh Scott linking up well. Holli & Kegan did the usual business in the engine room & Arun & Westy looked strong at the back. But I’m giving the Glitterball to Big Dev. Scored 1 (some might say 2) & had his best game in a blue or green shirt

TWITTER POLL MOTM – everyone loves a goalscorer & Josh Scott takes the fans vote, followed by Kieran & Big Dev with Holli also polling votes. Thank you to everyone who voted

242 through the gate with a very large contingent of Frickley fans – thank you to everyone who has supported us home & away this season.

Interview with Frecks to follow