Frickley Athletic v Eccleshill United FC

Recap

Frickley 2 Eccleshill United 1

A last minute winner from Big Al Keita on his 50th appearance completed The Azzurri’s comeback from a goal down to beat Eccleshill United and go third in the table.

Unusually, it was an unchanged starting eleven. Jake Hemingway and Zav Elkin were back in the squad with places on the bench. And before kickoff, Frickley Athletic Ladies did a lap of honour with their families to celebrate their formation, winning the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA 5v5 Recreational League and playing their inaugural 11 a side game.

The first half was a dour affair. The Blues had a good shout for a penno in the 8th minute when Big Al was dragged to the floor. Nowt given.

Then around the 20 minute mark, there was a flurry of activity in front of the Eccleshill goal but no one could apply the required coup de grace. At the other end, the liner missed a blatant foul and Eccy were able to fire across goal.

On the half hour, Eccy’s number 11 ran through but shot well wide.

3 minutes before the break, some lovely interplay between Haighy, Rich Collier and Big Al created a chance for Lloydy but he just couldn’t get his head on it. HT 0-0.

The second period was better. Keanan Mannings had a shot held in the first minute after the restart but it was Ecclesfield who opened the scoring in the 49th minute. Eccy worked the ball across the face of goal before the unmarked and suspiciously offside looking number 11 smashed the ball past Bradders from 8 yards out.

It wasn’t more than a couple of minutes later before Big Al gave notice of intent with 2 chances in quick succession. The first slid narrowly wide of the post and for the second, he rounded the keeper but could only hit the side netting.

Just after the hour, Jamesy cut inside to go past his man inside the box but had his legs whipped from underneath him. The ref didn’t hesitate to award the penalty and Big Al didn’t hesitate to stick the spot kick away to level the game.

With a quarter of an hour to go, Lloydy saw his free kick clawed away for a corner. And 10 minutes on, what looked like a handball in the box by Eccy inexplicably lead to a free kick being given the other way.

With less than a minute left of the 90, a draw looking inevitable, Mannings played a Hollywood pass to Lloydy who in turn placed a perfectly weighted ball into the feet of Big Al. The big man didn’t need asking twice, slipping the ball past the oncoming keeper and into the net from the edge of the box. A top notch team goal.

In time added on, Bradders made a crucial save from an Eccleshill free kick to preserve The Azzurri’s slender lead. FT 2-1.

To mangle a wise man’s words – largely scrappy football, not a lot of rhythm but a 90th minute winner. Whilst Eccleshill might be aggrieved at not coming away with a point, read it in The Green ‘Un! Gimme 30 more of them…

STAT ATTACK: This is the best start to a league season (W6, L2) since 1972/73 (W7 D1). And this was our 5th consecutive win on September 16th, we haven’t lost on September 16th since 2003.

WEBMASTER MOTM – not our most eye catching performance but we hung in there till the death and took all 3 cherries as a result. That’s a good afternoon! The defensive unit of Bradders, Varls, Keegs, Haighy, BMDub and Jake H were tough as teak and kept us in a position to give the forwards the chance to win it. The Colonel, Keanan and Jamesy were tenacious and constantly looking for a gap in midfield. Lloydy absorbed the rough treatment he got from the opposition defence and his assist was the perfect retort. However, the Glitterball has to go to Big Al Keita. Ran his blood to water, scored twice, and all on his 50th appearance for The Blues. Allez, Al!

TWITTER MOTM – The half centurion Big Al Keita takes it from Alex Varley, Keanan Mannings and Keegan Townrow. Lloyd Smith and Callum Bradbury also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Big Al Keita was chosen by volunteer and gateman Paul Baines. Well done, Big Al!

162 through the gate. Thank you for your wonderful support!

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

The Blues are next in action at Westfield Lane on Saturday, 23rd September, when Barton Town are our visitors, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley