Recap

Frickley 7 Bottesford Town 6

(NCEL League Cup)

The Azzurri secured the most astonishing victory in recent history, roaring back from a seemingly hopeless 5-1 deficit against Bottesford Town to win 7-6. The 13-goal thriller sets a new record for the highest scoring game in the history of the NCEL League Cup.

The match exploded into life immediately. In the first 12 seconds, Cable signalled Frickley’s attacking intent, charging down a pass only to skew his one-on-one shot wide. Minutes later, Robbo’s dangerous cross had to be flapped away by the keeper, and Tom A narrowly missed from 20 yards.

The Blues seized the advantage in the 12th minute when Woolly’s corner was partially cleared, allowing Tom to pick up the loose ball and cross for Radz to head home for 1-0.

However, the lead was short-lived, marking the start of a devastating spell for the visitors. Bottesford hit back in the 18th minute with ball over the top and a 15-yard strike by ex-Blue Jack McMenemy, to equalize. This was quickly followed by a carbon copy McMenemy goal for Bottesford in the 22nd minute, exploiting an apparent vulnerability in the Frickley back line.

Despite a brief spell of pressure, with Cable going one-on-one again only to be blocked twice. Bottesford were clinical as McMenemy netted 2 more goals in the 42nd minute to complete his hat trick, and again in the 43rd minute, to give his side an incredible 3 goal lead going into the break. HT 1-4.

When Bottesford headed in from a corner in the 54th minute to make it 5-1, the game appeared well and truly done as a contest.

Boss Martyn Woolford immediately gambled, introducing Butch and Destiny for El Binno and Robbo. The impact was instantaneous and some might say historic. What followed was a 5-minute, 4-goal flurry to cancel out a 4 goal def and turned the game on its head.

A 59th minute corner fell to Tom A, who rocketed the ball in from 25 yards. Just 60 seconds later, Destiny’s tricky run and low cross were converted by the Gaffer, Woolly, himself. 2 minutes on and the momentum was unstoppable as Destiny went clear to slot home the 4th. And the equaliser arrived on 64 minutes when Destinycrossed, Cable controlled, and found the net.

This was not the end of the drama. Bottesford regained the lead in the 70th minute with a shot from the edge of the box.

The Boys in Blue still did not think this game was over as they battled to score another. Tension was building in the 87th minute when Sheard (on as sub) made a dangerous run into the box and was flattened, but the ref controversially waved away strong appeals for a penalty.

Undeterred, the hosts found a remarkable equaliser in stoppage time, a long ball found Cable, who muscled out the defender and fired home to make it 6-all!

Young sub Ashton Johnson had a chance to put The Blues in front from a Spence cross but the keeper clung onto his low shot.

With the tie heading toward spot kicks, The Azzurri had one final opportunity, 6 minutes into time added on when Cable was fouled 30 yards from goal. Sam picked himself up to take the resulting free kick and in a moment of pure sporting brilliance, he dispatched the ball into the top corner, completing his hat trick and securing a scarcely believable win by the odd goal in 13 (thirteen)! FT 7-6.

What. A. Comeback!! And absolute carnage on a legendary night for Martyn Woolford’s Blue & White Army! This Woolly-ball is alright, ain’t it? Costing me a fortune in valium though… (See bottom of this post for all the stats, if you’re interested).

WEBMASTER MOTM – played for the badge and the team spirit was through the roof. Every one of them played a full role but standouts included a lively Lucas Robinson, and a dogged midfield and defensive unit featuring the teenage Jack Horobin playing his first 90 minutes for the senior team. Tom Alngohuru (1 goal, 1 assist) and Destiny (1 goal, 2 assists) were irrepressible forces of nature. And we await news from Rome of the confirmation of the canonisation of St Martyn of Woolford (1 goal, 1 assist), architect of The Wezzie Miracle. However, the Glitterball goes to Sam Cable. After a tough first half, his head never dropped and he scored the first Frickley hat trick in 6 years to seal an amazing win. Electric, Cable!

TWITTER MOTM – Sam Cable takes it from Tom Alngohuru, Tom Radley and Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua. ‘All of them’ also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted 😉

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Tom Alngohuru was chosen by Neil Ascough. Well done, Tom!

160 through the gate. Your support is so important, we thank you all so much, and so glad you witnessed such a treat!

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

To see the footage of the goals, 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 18th October when we get back to league matters and travel to Golcar United, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD

STAT ATTACK

• Highest scoring NCEL League Cup game ever
• first hat trick scored for Frickley since Jacob Hazel v Kidsgrove in November 2019.
• first home hat trick scored for Frickley since Jacob Hazel v Carlton in April 2019.
• Highest scoring Frickley game since October 1947 (3-10 v Grimsby Town Reserves).
• Highest scoring Frickley home game since February 1941 (8-6 v Manvers Main).
• Joint 3rd highest scoring Frickley home game of all time.
• Joint 7th highest scoring Frickley game of all time.
• Only the 2nd time conceding 6 and still winning the game (other was 8-6 v Manvers Main in 1941)
• Martyn Woolford’s record for longest Frickley career goalscoring span is extended to 20 years and 24 days