Recap

Frickley 0 Barton Town 1

In a near carbon copy of the midweek defeat to Liversedge, it was another game where The Boys in Blue grafted relentlessly but were left empty handed, going down to the only goal of the game from the visitors, Barton Town.

Barton arrived sitting 4th in the table, and from the early exchanges it was clear they intended to consolidate that position. This meant The Azzurri had to be alert in the 7th minute when Barton tried their luck from range, the effort going over.

The Boys in Blue were a slightly altered lineup from midweek, set up to try out some new things in preparation for games to come and next season. Such it was that we pieced together some neat moments of our own. Collins released Kilner down the flank on 16 minutes, but his delivery was struck too cleanly and drifted beyond everyone.

A lovely 20th minute move involving Love, Kilner, Spence and Price ended with the Barton keeper gratefully clinging onto the ball.

Barton twice attempted to catch Sykesy off his line. Firstly with a 40 yard attempt that sailed past the post, then another ambitious lob after he’d swept up outside his box, this one flying well over. The visitors also slung in a high cross on 33 minutes, but Sykesy pushed it away before the flag went up.

Gagen threw himself in front of a shot on 36 minutes, and the loose ball was dragged wide by Barton.

Love was then harshly booked after the Barton right back collapsed under minimal contact.

Moments later, Andrew unleashed a 25 yard strike that drew a full stretch save from the keeper.

3 minutes before the break, Kilner recycled a Collins corner and found Cleggy, whose shot on the turn was charged down.

Barton responded with a firm back post header in the final minute of the half, but Sykesy produced a sharp stop to keep Les Bleus level at the interval. HT 0-0.

The second period opened with Andrew beating his man out wide but he was unable to wrap his foot around the cross.

The best Azzurri chance of the game came on 55 minutes, Kilner fed Cleggy and his low drive cannoned off the upright.

Barton shot narrowly wide before Cleggy then volleyed straight at the keeper, and Spence’s cross found Andrew, who nodded wide.

The game’s decisive moment came in the 65th minute. A very soft free kick was awarded to Barton, and from it they were allowed to head in at the near post.

The visitors then flashed another ball across goal as The Blues regrouped.

Sykesy kept The Azzurri in it with a superb fingertip save from a glancing header on 71 minutes.

Several substitutions followed and one of those, Cable, soon teed up Price, who shot wide.

Radz went into the book before both Cable and another sub, Robbo, almost pounced in quick succession, only for Barton to scramble clear.

Deep into time added on, Cable headed inches wide from a corner, and Radz did the same just 90 seconds later. FT 0-1.

The win took Barton into 3rd place in the table so there’s no shame in that result. In fact, we’ve put in a proper shift and pushed them all the way to the final whistle.

WEBMASTER MOTM – another encouraging performance where we haven’t taken a backwards step against a team near the top of the table. I could make a bloomin’ good case for every player from 1 to 11 to be in the mix for my motm but the Glitterball is going to Harry Gagen and Joel Spence. They were the beating heart of the side and simply oozed quality. Spot on, Sp-agen!

TWITTER MOTM – Charlie Clegg takes it from Harry Gagen, Joel Spence and Sam Kilner. Liam Love and Will Sykes also polled votes Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Liam Love was chosen by Bailey Long. Well done, LL!

182 through the gate. Your phenomenal support means the absolute world to us. Thank you all!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Martin Woolford, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 14th March when we travel to Eccleshill United, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD