Eccleshill United FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Eccleshill United 1 Frickley 0

(Played at Frickley)

A very fortunate late goal in the final game of the season (reversed to be played at The Wezzie) saw the visitors and home side (??), Eccleshill United record a 1-0 win over The Azzurri.

There was one change from the previous game. With Rieves Boocock unavailable, Thierry Hendrickson-Eastwood started in his place. Joe Cooney, Josh Cummins and Bailey Cowsell made up the bench. As the designated away team, The Blues unusually ran out at The Wezzie in the mint and charcoal away kit.

The game started brightly but chances were at a premium in the early stages.

Shortly after the quarter of an hour mark, Eccleshill headed wide and had an air shot from a corner that would have caused problems had they connected.

At the other end, Jake H headed straight into the keeper’s hands and Rylee Grove went on a lovely run before crossing but Lloydy couldn’t get enough on it to trouble the keeper. And when Lloydy did get a decent strike on goal, it was charged down by a defender.

On the half hour, Eccleshill had a free kick that was on target but Bradders comfortably held on to it. And that was your lot for the first period. HT 0-0.

The two sides traded blows for much of the second half.

4 minutes after the restart, Eccleshill had a rasping shot deflected wide.

In the 53rd minute, Richard Collier hit a 50 yard cross field ball to Lloydy but it flicked off his toe and wide of goal. Collier also floated a free kick inches over the bar.

Bailey Cowsell, on as sub and making his debut, was lively from the off. He crossed to Lloydy who was blatantly pushed in the back but nothing was given. Cowsell hit an angled shot wide as well.

Eccleshill had a couple of efforts wide of the mark including one from a good position near the penalty spot, blazed past the upright.

The game appeared to be petering out to a goalless draw when Eccleshill put in a speculative lofted cross in the 86th minute. Cruelly for The Azzurri, the ball evaded everyone, curling into the corner of the net. FT 1-0 to Eccleshill.

The game had a definite end of term feeling to it, the only thing missing was people bringing Ker-plunk and Battleships to play. However, our Head of Global Communications and man of words, Dr Johnson, summed it up perfectly “I never really enjoy the last game of any season because it means I’m seeing some of the squad playing their last game for The Azzurri – irrespective of performances, win / lose / draw, they’re my boys!!”. Yep, that.

The Colonel confirmed his retirement at full time. It was club secretary Ruth Simpson’s last game in post too. Huge thanks to them and everyone else who’s pulled on a Frickley shirt, cheered for one or facilitated the activities of one. All Blues aren’t we!

WEBMASTER MOTM – we didn’t deserve to lose but that’s football – or at least it is of late in this bit of WF9. The Blue Wall of Bradders, Varls, The Elk, Jake H and BMDub, were nigh on impenetrable. Keano was industrious and THE was sparky. Up front, Sky Walker was gutsy and on another day, Lloydy could have had a couple of goals. Substitutes Bailey Cowsell and Josh Cummins were full of beans as they drove forward. But the Glitterball is a joint one and goes to young Rylee Grove and the retiring Richard Collier. Groverider’s influence belies his stature, he’s got a real future in the game. And The Colonel finished with another high quality performance. Felicitations, fellas!

TWITTER MOTM – Richard Collier takes it from Rylee Grove, Keanan Mannings and Jake Hemingway. Zav Elkin also polled votes.Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Rylee Grove was chosen by Andy Steel and Gareth Dando. Well done, Groverider!

Exactly 100 through the gate. Thanks for coming out to support us for one last time in 23/24. We couldn’t have done it without you!

To hear the thoughts of the Players’ Player of the Season, Richard Collier, and the Supporters’ Player of the Season, Callum Bradbury, click here.

And that’s it, folks. Frickley 2023/24 has left the building. Thank you so very much. Hope to see you all back at The Wezzie soon…

#forzafrickley

#FFTD