Eccleshill United FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Eccleshill United 2 Frickley 1

Despite taking a 4th minute lead, The Blues were pegged back and overtaken by half time in an error strewn game. Eccleshill killed the game after the break to inflict our first away league defeat of the season.

Bax made 2 changes from Tuesday with Zav Elkin Sheppard and Rob Guilfoyle dropping to the bench, with Zach Cooper and Jack Holden starting in their place.

With less than 4 minutes gone, The Azzurri took the lead. Varls crossed, the ball got caught under Cleggy’s feet and the chance looked to have gone. However, the loose ball rolled straight to Spence who buried it.

As has so often been the case, the opposition were quickly allowed to equalise. On 9 minutes, the Eccy forward muscled his way in front of his marker (who was a foot taller than he) and slid the ball past Hewitson to make it one each.

Much of the remainder of the half was made up of long spells of attritional football, with only an Eccy free kick that went just over the bar, and Tommo’s cross-cum-shot that forced the keeper to tip it over to relieve the midfield grind.

Then 6 minutes before half time, a wayward ball over the top found a different Eccy forward to the one intended and it inevitably ended up in the net. I’m not saying he was offside but they did charge him to get back in. HT 2-1.

It took ten minutes into the second period before we saw anything resembling a chance as Eccy stepped inside and shot low, Hewitson duly pounced on it.

This flurry of activity continued with

Hewitson pushing a shot away and Keano tidying up. Then Haigh, on as sub, crossed, Tommo challenged the keeper and hit the bar with his header. The ref inexplicably awarded a free kick, pouring fuel on the argument that keepers get too much protection.

There followed a phase of the game that was less a period in the play than a mere passage of time as the hosts gave an object lesson in running the clock down . Snail pace ball retrieval, niggly fouls and feigned injuries were compounded by inconsistent officiating and our own struggle to generate any fluency and momentum.

In the last ten minutes, Haighy flew in to put Tommo’s corner narrowly wide. And with the final move of the game, The Azzurri’s best chance of the half came and went as Tommo’s header, from The Elk’s free kick, went inches over. FT 2-1

The Gaffer said after the game that it was a poor advert for non-league football. He wasn’t wrong. However, it can, and will, only get better. Remember, this is largely a young team and, to quote Churchill, success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts. Our boys have that in spades and will go again next time out. I can’t wait.

WEBMASTER MOTM – there was no lack of perspiration from anyone, it’s just the inspiration that needs a tiny bit of fine tuning. Jack Varley was in perpetual motion, with a few choice words for those that warranted them. Mitch Rose is starting to look like a good signing. Jamie Tommo was a willing outlet, always ready to make a run. And Keano continues to sacrifice himself for the team, playing in an unfamiliar position, at centre half. However, the Glitterball goes to Joel Spence. He took his goal well and did his all he possibly could to link defence and attack. Jubilations, Joel 90!

TWITTER MOTM – Jamie Tomlinson takes it from Joel Spence, Jack Varley and Mitch Rose. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Joel Spence was chosen by Michael Johnson. Well done, Joel 90!

96 through the gate, with a very large percentage from WF9. Thank you for such loyal travelling support.

To hear the thoughts of manager, James Baxendale, click here.

The Blues have a great opportunity to swiftly show a positive response as we are next in action on Wednesday 2nd October, when we travel to Handsworth, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD