Recap

Brighouse Town 1 Frickley 0 (FA Cup)

The Azzurri’s FA Cup campaign came to an early end with a narrow 1-0 defeat away at Brighouse Town, despite a battling performance, especially after the break, and a flurry of late chances.

Sporting our new grey away strip for the first time, the Frickley lads made it clear early on that we weren’t getting rolled over without a fight.

After Sheard’s low drive skidded wide of the post on 10 minutes, the home side responded with attacking intent of their own. Sykes was called into action in the 11th minute to block an angled shot with his legs, and again on 20 minutes to hold a firm header. Sam Kilner was alive to the danger as he made a goal line clearance soon after.

The game threatened to boil over around the half hour mark following a nasty challenge on Woolly. Though Butch’s resulting free kick came to nothing, Woolly made sure to return the physical treatment with interest, moments later.

The pressure continued to mount, and Tom A’s 38th minute free kick nearly produced a breakthrough when Collins’s header was cleared off the line amid a melee in the Brighouse box.

As the first half came to a close, The Blues/Greys were forced to defend deep, with Sykes saving smartly from a tricky Brighouse free kick and Gagen mopping up the loose ball. Goalless at the break, the tie remained finely poised. HT 0-0.

The dregs of the half time tea were still warm when the deadlock was broken to give the hosts the lead. Just 90 seconds into the second half, a Brighouse sub got on the end of a chipped pass into space in the penalty area and slid the ball past Sykes into the far corner.

The Azzurri responded positively. Destiny was introduced to add attacking impetus, and immediately made his presence felt with a fierce shot on 55 minutes that was well held, followed by a pressured header that sailed over two minutes later.

The Blues/Greys continued to threaten from set pieces, particularly through Tom A’s deliveries. At the other end, Sykes kept his side in it with a fingertip save in the 66th minute, before Gagen was again in the right place to head a goal bound effort off the line.

Jenko went close with a header from a free kick before being replaced by Radley after picking up a knock. Destiny nearly found the equaliser, latching onto a Tom A through ball, but his shot was smothered by the Brighouse keeper.

The Boys in Blue/Grey threw everything forward in the dying seconds. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Butch tested the keeper with a low drive from the edge of the box. A minute later, Radz’s header from a corner looked to have levelled the tie, only for a Brighouse defender to nod it off the line with his keeper well beaten. FT 1-0.

Despite dominating much of the second half after the goal went in, The Azzurri couldn’t find a way through. We bow out of the cup with heads held high, having left everything on the pitch against  higher division opponents. Now I’m off to try to cancel my booking for next May at the Wembley Travelodge…

WEBMASTER MOTM – we went toe to toe with an NPL side and never looked second best. Plenty of guts on show all over the park but the defensive unit was the standout, with Sykes’s safe handling, and Gadge, Kilner and Jenko were a steely shield. Butch’s work rate was phenomenal. LAF, Tom A, Joel Spence and Tyler Sheard were indefatigable as well. Woolly showed what a wily competitor he is. And coming off the bench, Destiny was such a handful, turning the tide, and Radz almost won it for us. But the Glitterball goes to Cody Collins on his debut. His calm, assured defending was Hansen-esque. Congrats, CoCo!

TWITTER MOTM – Cody Collins narrowly takes it from Destiny, Niall Butchart and Sam Kilner. Harry Gagen also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Cody Collins was chosen, by Mark Ainge. Well done, CC!

151 through the gate, with a tres bien following from Pays de SESKU. Thank you for such vociferous support on the road!

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

As a result of Knaresborough requiring a replay against Bridlington in the FA Cup, our scheduled game against Knaresborough on Tuesday is postponed. So The Blues are next in action on Saturday 9th August when we travel to Barton Town, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD