Albion Sports v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Albion Sports 2 Frickley 0

The Azzurri took the game to Albion Sports and dominated large portions of the game but a penalty miss, an unfortunate second goal and a red card meant that we left Bradford empty handed.

There were 5 changes to the starting XI as Cawthorn and Brewin Hawkins returned to the defence, with the Gaffer in midfield, Cleggy up front and a first start for Kenzie Dillon. New signing Tom Alngohuru was on the bench, alongside Wilfey Woodham from our U23s, Boothy and Gilly.

It was a perfect start for the hosts as they took the lead with just 2 minutes and 20 seconds on the clock. A defence splitting pass found Cartman, one of the league’s top scorers, and he made no mistake, sticking it in the bottom corner.

Albion Sports kept up the early pressure, making it look like it could be a very long evening. They hit a

free kick over the bar, flicked the ball past HDH but RBH was there to tidy up and clear, and a cross into the mixer had to be put behind.

However, from the 15 minute mark, The Blues started to find their feet and were in the ascendancy for much of the remainder of the half.

Big Al teed up Cleggy but his shot was stopped by the keeper and Big Al shot narrowly wide himself after a tidy run.

Chippy had a ping from range and the keeper had to get down quickly to push it away for a corner.

Then, just before the half hour, an Albion defender channelled his inner Michael Jordan as he punched the ball away in the box. Penner awarded. Chaos ensued as the home side crowded the ref, putting doubt in the official’s mind and getting him to consult with the liner, despite the blatant infringement. The red card, which it should’ve been, was avoided. And the penalty taker was successful disconcerted as Cleggy stepped up to take the spot kick almost 5 minutes after it was awarded but the keeper went the right way to cling onto it.

5 minutes before the break, we were down to 10 men as the ref sin binned Tom Claisse for questioning a decision – something he had allowed Albion to do all game, and in much greater numbers.

Soon after, Albion missed a gilt-edged chance, rattling the bar from a few yards out.

On the stroke of half time, Albion shot well over but in a continued display of indecisive officiating, an inexplicable corner was given after verbal pressure from the home side. HT 1-0.

The second half was a rather less frenetic affair, descending into farce at times as the Albion skipper played pantomime villain, humorously acting as the referee.

Albion won a free kick (although the Russian judge only awarded 8.4) but HDH made 2 smart saves to keep the score at 1-0.

A dangerous cross by Cleggy, put over the bar by Albion, was his last involvement before being replaced by Tom Alngohuru, making his debut for The Blues.

HDH safely fielded a 70th minute Albion wormburner. And Tom Claisse’s free kick was met by Big Al but his bullet header went inches over.

Hard running by Tom A lead to a cross that the home defence were forced to put out for a corner.

But with 10 minutes remaining, Albion Sports killed the game off with a second goal. After winning a free kick on the edge of the box, Albion’s skipper/ref passed the ball straight into the bottom corner, past what looked to these eyes like an incorrectly positioned wall.

To add insult to injury, we finished the second half as we did the first, down to 10 men. Tom Claisse received a second yellow, and hence a red, following a foul in the 83rd minute. FT 2-0.

We certainly weren’t outplayed. In fact, we were the better side for 2 thirds of the game. And if the penalty had gone in, there would probably only have been one winner. But football can be a cruel mistress, so we have to keep hold of the positives, take them into the New Year and start 2025 the way we mean to go on.

WEBMASTER MOTM – the performance was a decidedly decent one, no one had a poor game. The Elk, JC and Butch were tough as teak. Chippy and Big Al were a constant threat. Kenzie demonstrated a maturity that belies his age and Tom Alngohuru showed that he’s a strong addition to the ranks. And a word for Cleggy, showed courage taking the penalty and then playing on with determination when it didn’t go his way. However, the Glitterball goes jointly to Joel Spence and Reuben Brewin Hawkins. Both were alive to the dangers, calm under pressure and fought to the end. Felicitations, fellas!

TWITTER MOTM – Joel Spence takes it from Zav Elkin Sheppard, Reuben Brewin Hawkins and Tom Alngohuru. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Tom Alngohuru was chosen by Penny Wall and Neil Howden coz Tom ran his socks off for every minute he was on! Well done, Tom!

101 through the gate, with the majority from the Principality of South Elmsall. Thanks for coming out on such a cold and damp evening to shout for The Blues for the last time in 2024!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Tom Claisse, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 4th January, when Barton Town are our visitors, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD