Recap

AFC Bentley 0 Frickley 5

(Sheffield Cup)

Sweet relief was needed after the disappointment of last weekend’s 9-0 FA Vase defeat at FC St Helens and that’s just what we got.

Caretaker manager Nick Leadbeater, La Barba Marrón, took charge of The Azzurri in the wake of Martyn Woolford’s departure, and there could hardly have been a much more emphatic response on the pitch.

On the way to the next round of the Sheffield Cup, 5 goals and a clean sheet saw The Blues sweep aside a valiant Bentley side.

Requiring just 4 minutes to get in front. Cable was brought down and Flan delivered the resulting free kick into the perfect area for Liam Dacre to rise highest to head home.

Plucky Bentley attempted to get back into it and fired over in the 7th minute before Edjangue was called upon to make an excellent low save soon after.

In control, Les Bleus continued to look threatening, with Flan seeing a shot deflected wide in the 13th minute.

On 19 minutes, however, the lead was doubled. A slick exchange between Flan and Andrew opened up the Bentley defence, and Andrew finished the move clinically drilling a shot into the bottom corner.

Now The Boys in Blue were finding plenty of space in dangerous areas. Andrew had another attempt deflected wide in the 21st minute, while Flan almost added a third 3 minutes later after racing onto a through ball, only for the Bentley keeper to get a fingertip to it.

Gadge then embarked on a fine run in the 32nd minute, eventually delivering a cross that created chaos in the Bentley penalty area before the defence managed to clear.

Los Azules continued to press for another before the interval. Andrew was brought down on the edge of the box in the 37th minute, although Flan’s resulting free kick only found the side netting.

Bentley’s task became even harder 3 minutes before half time. Spence was brought down as he burst into the box and the ref immediately pointed to the spot. Andrew stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 3-0.

There was still no let up before the break. Andrew saw another attempt blocked by the goalkeeper’s legs, while Price unleashed a 30 yard volley in the that stung the Bentley stopper’s palms. HT 3-0.

The Blues took a little time to ease into the game after the restart.

Favour Omoruyi caused considerable concern inside the Bentley box in the 55th minute, although the opportunity ultimately came to nothing.

La Barba Marrón made his first changes of the afternoon, introducing Willo and Roberts for Cleggy and Andrew. And no sooner had he done so, a 4th goal arrived in the 65th minute.

Cable whipped a low ball into the 6 yard box and Willo got a crucial touch, with a Bentley defender inadvertently making sure it ended up in the net.

Barely a minute later, Willo slipped a perfectly weighted pass through to Flan, who kept his composure to slide the ball between the keeper’s legs.

Cable thought he had made it six in the 68th minute when he found the net, but the flag was raised for a harsh offside.

Gadge came close again 2 minutes later, while Roberts produced a tricky cross in the 72nd minute that the keeper had to scrabble around to gather.

Willo then produced another inch perfect pass in the 77th minute, picking out Roberts, but the keeper stood up well to block the resulting shot with his legs.

Wright almost added his name to the scoresheet in the 82nd minute after racing onto a ball over the top. His attempted lob, however, just cleared the crossbar.

Carmody and Wright had already replaced Flan and Price, and Crossley was introduced for Cable as the game entered its final stages.

The substitute was quickly involved, battling hard to win possession in the 88th minute before feeding Roberts. His cross was blocked, but by then the outcome had long since been decided. FT 0-5.

5 goals. No reply. Into the next round. No one believes that all the wrongs have been righted yet but The Blues did all they could to get back on track.

WEBMASTER MOTM – a potential banana skin was comfortably avoided with an improved showing. Jenko was looking good going forward, Spence and Price were assured, and Cable was a presence. Dacre and Andrew took their goals well, and Willo was top notch off the bench with a goal and an assist. However, the Glitterball goes to Liam Flanagan. His 2 assists and his goal were a deserved return for his afternoon’s graft. Felicitations, Fantom Flan Flinger!

VOLUNTEERS’ MOTM – Will Jenkinson was chosen by general consensus of the Blues volunteers at the game. Well done, Jenko!

Over 150 through the gate, with the vast majority from The Eternal Empire of SESKU. We’re so grateful for your support in these tumultuous times. Thank you so much.

To hear the thoughts of keeper Harold Edjangue and striker Elliott Andrew, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Wednesday 23rd September when we travel to Keighley United for our NCEL League Cup 2nd Round tie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD