Recap

Frickley 2 Albion Sports 1

The 2025/26 season kicked off in style as The Azzurri put in a confident display to claim a deserved 2-1 win over Albion Sports, despite a raft of absences stretching the squad.

The afternoon started with a very moving minute’s applause to commemorate the sad passing of Tracy Clarkson, friend to the club and many more, mum of our secretary Joel and wife to Ian. RIP Tracy.

To the game, the opening stages saw The Blues settle quickly, with Robbo going close in the 7th minute, sending a 25 yard effort just wide. A minute later, a nervous moment at the back saw Butch fouled to concede possession, but Sykes was alert to collect Albion’s half chance.

The breakthrough came in the 12th minute as relentless pressure paid off when Luis AF charged down a defender’s clearance, the ball rolling into the net to make it 1-0.

Albion thought they had levelled 7 minutes later, but their effort was chalked off for offside.

Gagen caused real problems down the flank, twice getting in behind the defence. First time, wrongly flagged offside after a superb run, and again with a dangerous cross that just missed its intended target.

At the other end, Jenkinson, Katsere, and Kilner stood firm, keeping the Albion front line at bay.

Albion had a couple of sniffs before the break, a flicked header wide and a wild shot over the bar, but Sykes capped off the half with a composed claim in added time, sending The Boys in Blue into the interval with their noses in front. HT 1-0.

The second half saw more of the same, calm handling from Sykes early on and another big chance when Butch found Tom A, only for the keeper to smother the ball at his feet.

Albion pushed, but Sykes was equal to a low drive in the 58th minute.

Just past the hour mark, Tom A lit up proceedings with a sensational solo run, weaving through defenders before finishing coolly to double the lead, celebrating with a Hugo Sanchez somersault (Google him, kids!).

Robbo then set up Willo for a blocked shot, and Luis nearly added another after a tough (illegal!) challenge on Gagen, but the referee waved play on.

Destiny, introduced from the bench, got into good positions late on but was twice denied, first by the keeper, then by the outside of the post deep into stoppage time.

In between Destiny’s chances, Albion pulled one back in the 86th minute through a Cartman header. Despite their desperate late efforts, it was too little too late from the visitors. FT 2-1.

A strong all round team performance, with key contributions across the pitch, gave The Blues a near perfect start to the new campaign. A slight shame we didn’t quite get the clean sheet our play had warranted but Albion Sports are a tough side and one of the favourites to be in the mix come April. Nevertheless, 3 points in the bag – get in there! Not getting carried away yet but it’d be nice if this set the tone for the season ahead.

WEBMASTER MOTM – I could make a decent case for every man jack of them. Sykesy’s handling was a thing of beauty, he could’ve juggled Ming vases and they’d have been safe. Harry Gagen surged out of defence to cause chaos in the Albion back 4. Jenko, TK and Sam Kilner were like the 3 heads of Cerberus, guarding the gates of Hades – thou shalt not pass. Tyler Sheard and Butch covered every blade of grass as they hassled and harried. Willo held his position brilliantly, allowing Tom A and Lucas Robinson to run Albion ragged. Luis AF was pacey, dogged and classy in equal measure. And then there was our subs, Destiny stretched tired Albion legs and gets a couple of goals on another day, while Tom Cotson helped to shackle Albion in those crucial minutes after they scored. In fact, I just have made a decent case for giving the Glitterball to every man jack of them so I will. Bellissimo, boys!

TWITTER MOTM – Lucas Robinson narrowly takes it from Luis Afonso Ferreira, Tom Alngohuru and Will Jenkinson. Tyler Sheard and ‘everybody’ also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Tom Alngohuru was chosen, by Richard Hill. Well done, Tom!

183 through the gate. Thank you such superb support to start the season!

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

To see the full photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 2nd August when we hit the road to Wembley and travel to Brighouse Town for our FA Cup Extra Preliminary round tie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD