Eccleshill United FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Eccleshill United 1 Frickley 1

The Blues put in a gritty display to come from behind to earn a decent point at Eccleshill United.

Pat McGuire shuffled the pack, bringing in Brandon Murillo and the Bretton Baggio, Wade Ripley, for Ben Hall and Jodi Tiffany.

The Colonel’s shot was deflected inches over the bar as early as the 4th minute. But in the main, it was a war of attrition with both sides struggling to gain the upper hand.

The best chance fell to The Azzurri when Big Al Keita met a cross from the left with a bullet header but the the Eccy keeper made a stunning reflex save.

As has happened so often this season, we were looking relatively comfortable when the home team took the lead in the 34th minute. There was more than a hint of fortune about Eccy’s goal, the shot deflecting off the lunging defender’s shin and looping over HDH’s despairing dive, into the top corner.

That was pretty much it for the first half. HT 1-0.

Eccy charged out of the blocks after the break and should’ve doubled their lead but blazed over from 8 yards out.

However, it was The Boys in Blue who got on the scoresheet as The Colonel threaded a wormburner, with pinpoint accuracy, into the very bottom corner of the net to equalise.

Eccy redoubled their efforts but HDH was equal to it all. He made a series of outstanding stops with his hands, feet and body.

The Azzurri almost nicked it in time added on. Sub Evan Fortune-West showed a quick pair of feet, dancing through the Eccy defence, but poked the ball narrowly wide. FT 1-1.

A response to last week’s 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Hallam was what was needed, and that’s exactly what we got. It wasn’t one for the purist but the lads showed character, digging in and grinding out a result, another potentially crucial away point.

WEBMASTER MOTM – this was a real team performance, they were warriors, every one of them. The back four of Murillo, Owen, Basi and Hemingway threw themselves in front of everything that came their way. El Binno and The Colonel did the dirty work in the engine room. And Haighy, Rip, Big Al and Lloydy ran their blood to water, and did more than their fair share of getting back to help out in defence as well. But the Glitterball has to go to Harrison Davison-Hale. Golden Gloves was unfortunate to concede and kept us in it in the latter stages. Hurrah for HDH!

TWITTER MOTM – HDH walks it with almost 50% of the votes from Richard Collier, Elliot Owen and Josh Haigh. Lewis Binns also polled. Thanks to all who voted.

166 through the gate. Thank you for your remarkable support.

Click here for the thoughts of our equally remarkable Assistant Manager, Blake Campbell.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 4th March when we travel to Emley for a 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….