Frickley Athletic v Emley AFC

Recap

Our longest run in an FA competition for quite some time came to end yesterday – & came to an end quite disappointingly as we never really got out of 2nd gear

With Green, Grist, Bennett, Hughes, Cullingworth, Jeffreys, Benjamin & Murillo all missing through injury. illness or unavailability it meant that we introduced Wade Ripley & Ben Ellison-Tope for their first taste of first team action.

Emley took the lead on 8 minutes when a mishit shot landed at the feet of Walshaw & he doesn’t miss from 2 yards (although he did on 4 other occasions).

That aside the first half was largely flat & devoid of meaningful action until the 43rd minute when Collier set up Al Keita who curled a superb effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box

Straight after he tried similar, this time from 30 yards & his shot flew inches over the bar

What we needed to do 2nd half was consolidate – 42 seconds in & we were 2-1 down as the whole team were asleep at the wheel from a free kick allowing a tap in

The half kickstarted into life at that point – the main talking points being the swinging elbow that didn’t get a red for Emley & the fairly innocuous challenge by Lewis Binns that did

Late in the game we were given a chance, Czubik cleaned out in the box, penalty awarded. Unfortunately the keeper, who should have been sent off, was able to save a fairly average spot kick by Collier. Them’s the breaks!

Emley made it 3-1 in Fergie Time when we were committing men forward to try to get something out of the game

I think it’s fair to say that we were 2nd in every department on the pitch yesterday – but in fairness to the boys that is the first time this season that I’ve seen / thought that, so credit where credit is due

Not the best game for 2 day old Ella to start her fledging career as a Frickley fan but better days are ahead Ella!!

WEBMASTER MOTM – tough one as no-one really grabbed your attention so I’m giving the Glitterball to Al Keita for his delicious goal & his 30 yard effort just after, with a mention in despatchs for Kofi & Chaz Preston

TWITTER POLL MOTM – you, the fans, have spoken! Josh Lockwood comes out on top, narrowly from Big Al with Kofi & Nathan Fletcher tucked in behind them.

An interview with the Gaffer will be here shortly when the Hairy One gets his finger out

256 through the gates, a very decent turn out – thank you & sorry we didn’t deliver for you on this occasion

Quick turnaround as we face Maltby Main on Tuesday in the Sheffield Cup, 7.45pm – LIVE FROM THE WEZZIECANA – so please come & support the boys & get behind them