Frickley Athletic v Barnton FC

Recap

Frickley 1 Barnton 2

The Azzurri were dumped out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle, the victim of two extremely late goals by Barnton’s sub after a performance that lacked a little of our usual energy and spark.

Squad rotation brought Jonesy and Big Al in for Haighy and Keanan Mannings who moved to the bench.

The Blues had the best of the early thrusts and parries. Keegan Townrow headed over from a corner within the first minute and went closer twenty minutes later, forcing the keeper to claw the ball away from the corner of his goal.

Barnton were a handful up top but were restricted to a little more than a handful of half chances.

Frickley had the ball in the net when the Barnton keeper spilt a shot and Zav Elkin buried it but the ref harshly awarded a foul on the keeper.

On 33 minutes, Keegan finally got the goal he’d been threatening. Lloydy pulled the ball back from the byline for Alex Varley to put a pinpoint cross on Keegan’s head. His header hit the bar and dropped in.

Lloydy netted 5 minutes later, but it was adjudged to be narrowly offside.

The visitors redoubled their efforts, Callum Bradbury had to make a fingertip save and Varls made a super last ditch tackle that hit the post! Never in doubt.

And in time added on at the end of the half, Rich Collier blasted goalwards, stinging the keeper’s palms. HT 1-0.

Barnton were straight at it after the break, taking only 12 seconds to head wide.

For the majority of the following 45 minutes, the two sides traded goalscoring opportunities, although none could really be classified as clear cut or gilt edged.

Then a game that had largely failed to set the pulses racing ended in a flurry of frantic, and for The Azzurri, unwanted activity.

There were seconds left of the 90 minutes when Barnton’s sub got ahead of his marker to stab the ball home to equalise.

A draw would have taken the game straight to penalties and was looking the likely outcome but the visitors had other ideas. A soft free kick was lofted towards the far post, headed back across goal and the unmarked sub stooped to head in his second goal from 2 yards out. Cue scenes from the Barnton bench and fans. FT 1-2.

Cup football? Nah, you can keep it….

WEBMASTER MOTM – Lloydy was tricky up front and all the best attacking stuff involved him. But the defence were the standout performers. Bradbury’s handling was sound and The Elk and Jake H ran all day, however, the Glitterball goes jointly to Varls and Keegan. They were committed at one end then turned provider and scorer at the other. Bravo, boys!

TWITTER MOTM – Keegan Townrow takes it from Lloyd Smith, Alex Varley and Jake Hemingway. Keanan Mannings and Callum Bradbury also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Big Al Keita was chosen by matchball sponsor Phil Cooper. Well done, Al.

153 through the gate. Thank you for your brilliant support!

To hear the thoughts of the manager, Pat McGuire, click here.

The Blues are next in action at Westfield Lane on Saturday, 2nd September, when Golcar United are our visitors, 3pm kickoff, as we get back to league business. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley