Bottesford Town v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Bottesford Town 1 Frickley 0

The Blues slid to a disappointing defeat at the end of a tough week as they couldn’t find an answer to a 24th minute goal from the NCEL Premier Division’s bottom side, Bottesford Town.

Luke Walker and new signing Zak Kersey came into the starting XI for Morgan James and Keanan Mannings. And the Gaffer named himself on the bench in the place of Fletch.

Bottesford signalled their intent from the off, almost immediately fizzing a ball across goal.

Callum Bradbury made his first important save on 8 minutes. And Bottesford put a diagonal shot wide.

The home side hadn’t scored in their previous 2 home games but took the lead in the 24th minute. A cross in from the right was headed down by Bottesford’s number 11, skidding awkwardly off the plastic surface and under Bradders.

There was no let up from Bottesford with Bradders pushing a shot over, two minutes later.

It should’ve been 2-0 on the half hour, but a superb save by Bradders thwarted the Bottesford forward after breaching the defence.

As half time approached, Bottesford’s play was belying their league position and you could have been forgiven for thinking that it was they who were the side in 6th place, rather than The Azzurri. HT 1-0.

It was the 52nd minute before The Blues had a significant chance when Rich Collier’s shot was deflected wide and into the side netting. Big Al got a touch on the ball in from the corner but the keeper quickly dropped on it.

Around the hour mark, The Boys in Blue had their best spell. First, Luke Walker pulled the ball back for Lloydy who hit the base of the post with his shot. Then The Colonel lashed a volley goalwards that clipped the bar.

Lloydy forced a fingertip save from a free kick from 25 yards out. Moments later, Big Al went on a mazy run into the box and had his heels clipped but no penner given. Contact was clearly made but the ref decided that Big Al had gone down too theatrically. Interesting decision.

At the other end, Bottesford headed wide.

In the last 5 minutes, The Elk hit one from range, but was saved. The Elk then had a throw in, Murillo and Keegan flicked on and sub Rieves Boocock lifted his shot inches over the bar. FT 1-0.

The second half was much better than the first but unfortunately still wasn’t good enough. We just have to take our medicine, regroup and put it right next time out. The last time we lost 2 consecutive games, we won the next 5. Let’s do that again.

WEBMASTER MOTM – not our finest hour as the opposition largely  old-manned us all over the park. Nevertheless, Bradders made a couple of saves that kept us in it, Brandon M stuck to his defensive duties well and Haighy bravely faced up to intense pressure down his wing. However, the Glitterball goes jointly to The Colonel and The Elk. Richard Collier was in the tick of it in the engine room, and Zav Elkin was one of the bigger threats in the second half. Congrats, Comrades!

TWITTER MOTM – Zav Elkin takes it from Callum Bradbury, Richard Collier and Lloyd Smith. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Richard Collier was chosen by Mark Ainge. Well done, Colonel!

173 through the gate. This was Bottesford’s biggest home attendance of the season so far by quite some way, thanks to the large number of travelling Frickley fans. Thank you for your devoted support, the lads really do appreciate it!

To hear the thoughts of the manager, Pat McGuire, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 21st November when we face Knaresborough Town at The Wezzie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley