Recap

Frickley 1 Beverley Town 3

Facing a Beverley side sitting 2nd in the table was always going to be a stern test, but The Blues gave everything. However, the contest was ultimately settled by the 2 goals we conceded in a loose 5-minute spell just before the interval.

The Blues were quickly out of the traps, and inside 2 minutes Cleggy whipped a teasing ball across the face of goal, only for Tom A to be inches away from applying the finishing touch. Radz went into the book shortly afterwards, but Les Bleus continued to compete well.

Sykesy was called into action on 12 minutes, blocking smartly with his legs. He repeated the trick 7 minutes later when Beverley slipped in behind Radz and found themselves 1 on 1 with the keeper, only for the Sykesy to stand tall and deny them again with his legs.

The Azzurri had to stay alert to the danger as Sykesy cut out a tricky cross, and Love showed great composure moments later by clearing from right in front of an unguarded net.

Robbo nearly punished a defensive lapse on 26 minutes, rounding the keeper but unable to bring the ball under control as the chance evaporated.

Beverley scuffed a shot wide from distance on the half hour. Not long after, Sykes came out to clear but only as far as a Bev forward. Fortunately the forward couldn’t get it onto his good foot and tamely rolled his shot wide with much of the goal to aim at.

Meanwhile, Robbo continued to torment the Bev back line with a series of excellent deliveries, one evading Tom A’s head by a whisker.

But pressure told late in the half. Beverley were allowed to get to the byline and cross in the 41st minute, then the untracked runner finished from close range.

In time added on, things went from bad to worse. Collins was shown a yellow for a foul. The resultant free kick was nodded back across goal and a looping header by the Bev number 5 found the back of the net. HT 0-2.

The Blues regrouped and showed a reaction from the restart. Cleggy’s volley was comfortably held early in the half.

There followed a scrappy period as the rain started to hammer down and both sides struggled for rhythm. The star performer at this point was the pitch, holding up well, thanks to the efforts of our award winning groundsman.

Just past the hour mark, The Azzurri grapped a lifeline when Lindley was chopped down in the area and the ref pointed straight to the spot. Cleggy stepped up and buried it, halving the deficit and igniting belief around the ground.

Love had a long shot deflected wide, and at the other end Sykesy produced another good save at full stretch to tip a Beverley effort round the post. From the resulting corner the visitors bundled the ball over the line, but the offside flag spared The Blues.

However, Beverley restored their 2 goal cushion in the 79th minute, converting a cross from a position that looked suspiciously offside.

Afuape, Carmody and Viggars were introduced as The Blues chased the game, and there were late moments of promise. Robbo’s cross reached Viggars, who teed up Afuape but the shot lacked the power to trouble the keeper. Viggars then surged forward on a 40‑yard run, only to hit the side netting. FT 1-3.

The Boys in Blue showed plenty of heart and gave it a bloody good go against a team who had won their previous 7 league games and are now undefeated since we beat them at the beginning of October. We go again with plenty of hope on Tuesday.

WEBMASTER MOTM – The second half was better than the first but there was grit in abundance throughout. Defensive players like Sykes, Radz and Spence had more chance to flex their muscles than some others. But Robbo was a constant outlet, Lindley was a willing runner and Cleggy was never going to miss that penalty. And Viggars looked a real handful when he came on. However, the Glitterball goes to Harry Gagen. He was in the thick of it at the back and was quick-footed in getting us going forward. Great stuff, Gadge!

TWITTER MOTM – Josh Lindley takes it from Harry Gagen, Tom Radley and Lucas Robinson. Will Sykes also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Tom Radley was chosen by Jacob Liddle. Well done, Radz!

224 through the gate. We thank you for your super support on what became a very wet day!

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

To see the matchday programme, click here.

Picture by @AndrewSlaughte1

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 24th February when Parkgate are our visitors to The Wezzie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD