Bottesford Town v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Bottesford Town 3 Frickley 5

This was a pulsating goal fest with neither side willing to lie down but, in the end, The Azzurri finally overcame Bottesford with some swashbuckling, counterattacking football, quality goals and committed defending.

The Gaffer named an unchanged starting XI from the midweek exploits at Barton, with the addition of Joel Spence and Charlie Clegg to the bench.

Barely 75 seconds in and a ball over the top to Varls skidded away from him off the 3G (how surprising!) after getting in behind the back four. But The Blues were not to be denied an early strike as

Williams forced a defensive error in the 3rd minute and Gilly did the rest.

The Boys in Blue kept the pressure on with a fizzing Varley cross getting cut out and Gilly stinging the keeper’s palms with an angled drive.

So it was very much against the run of play to be pegged back by a Bottesford equaliser on 8 minutes. The home side won a very soft free kick just under 30 yards out. Taken from less than 25 yards out, a slight deflection off a defender’s head took it past Adam Hewitson’s fingertips.

Bottesford blazed wide from a good position before The Azzurri restored our lead shortly after the quarter of an hour mark. Luke Williams squared to Gilly at pace but, before it could get there, the defender slid in to rocket the ball into the roof of his own net from 15 yards.

Around the half hour, The Blues had several chances in quick succession. Willo flicked a back heel over the bar from a Gilly cross, Varls went 1 on 1 with the keeper but saw his shot saved and he then sent a free kick narrowly over.

Not to be outdone, the hosts pushed back. Hewitson shanked a clearance (bouncing unusually on 3G!) but the striker equally shanked his effort wide. Bottesford also headed wide from a corner before levelling it again 3 minutes before the break. The ball was given away cheaply in midfield, Bottesford waltzed (it may have been a fox trot or a quick step – roll on Strictly) into the box and scored from a very tight angle. HT 2-2.

Fresh from their half time Jaffas,

it wasn’t 4 minutes until Bottesford had moved the ball across the face of the box before passing it into the bottom corner to take the lead for the first time.

This felt slightly ominous, based on some of The Azzurri’s second half showings this season. But how wrong could I be? The Turquoise Tide came flooding in with 2 goals in as many minutes.

52 minutes in and Gilly scored with a beautifully flighted direct free kick. Parity achieved. Almost immediately from the restart, Willo whipped in a cross, Gilly feinted to go for it before leaving it for Varls to smash in. Lead achieved.

The home keeper had learned from his mistake, pushing away Gilly’s free kick on the hour.

Said lead started to look rather fragile as Bottesford went desperately searching for the goal that would square it yet again but the Frickley back line were defending like they meant it. And Hewitson was on fire, making a string of stupendous stops, with his legs, pushing over the bar, a reflex save. Goalkeeping par excellence.

On as sub, Jamie Tomlinson was fearless, patiently waiting for a chance to put this game to bed. 4 minutes into extras, Tommo fired over after a surging run by The Elk – playing in his 50th game for the club. Seconds later, he made no such mistake, a slide rule through ball by Gilly sent Tommo clear and he netted as cool as a cucumber. FT 3-5.

What. A. Game! Nothing beats getting 3 cherries from an awayday but to see something as special, frenetic and mad as this game was as perfect as sherbet lemons. I’m off for a lie down in a darkened room!

WEBMASTER MOTM – it wasn’t perfect but goddamnit it was exciting and, crucially, was underpinned by a steely desire to win. Each and every single member of the side ran their blood to water and can take massive credit for this result. Standouts include The Reflex who kept us in it with his vital custodianship, Willo who was simply unplayable with 3 (three!) assists and Cap’n Jack who is the heartbeat of this team. And Tommo’s goal, after coming off the bench, secured the victory. But the Glitterball goes to guileful Rob Guilfoyle. Scoring 2 goals and getting an assist, and with even his mere presence being influential in the other 2, that was his best performance in a Blues shirt so far. Get in there, Gilly!

TWITTER MOTM – Rob Guilfoyle narrowly took it from All of ‘em, Jack Varley and Adam Hewitson. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Adam Hewitson was chosen by Penny Wall. Well done, Adam!

103 through the gate with, I suspect, the majority from the Principality of SESKU. Thank you for travelling all the way to deepest, darkest Lincolnshire for the second time in 5 days.

To hear the thoughts of Tommo and Cleggy, click here. Thank you for your time and insights, lads.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday, 14th September, when we host Beverley Town at The Wezzie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD