Frickley Athletic v Golcar United FC

Recap

Frickley 2 Golcar United 3

It was a bit of a baptism of fire for new boss Pat McGuire as 10-man Blues succumbed to old lapses. With two quality goals The Blues looked to have done enough to get something from the game but ended up going down by the odd goal in five to Golcar.

New signing midfielder Jodi Tiffany came into the starting eleven whilst Harley Holt moved to the bench along with another newbie, forward Evan Fortune-West (son of Leo).

The two sides cancelled each other out, and the whistle barely touched the referee’s lips, in the opening quarter of an hour then the touch paper was lit. On 18 minutes, Brandon Murillo committed a clumsy rather than a malicious foul, it looked no worse than a yellow but was awarded a straight red.

Then it was as you were with goalscoring opportunities at a premium until time added on at the end of the half when Golcar took the lead, nodding a cross past HDH. HT 0-1.

It was 10 v 10 less than 3 minutes after the restart when a Golcar player clashed with El Binno in a carbon copy of the challenge that got Murillo sent off and got the same result – straight red.

The Azzurri were in the ascendancy and levelled when Big Al and Lloydy carved out a 59th minute chance for The Colonel. He didn’t need asking twice and lashed it home from the edge of the box.

Big Al nearly repeated the trick two minutes later, his rasping shot just going wide.

On 68 minutes, The Boys in Blue were ahead with a wonder goal from Lloyd Smith. The defender headed the ball straight upwards and when it came down, Lloydy volleyed over the keeper, who was off his line, from 30 yards out.

It looked like the hard work was largely done but not so. The Blues had the lead for just two minutes before the ball looked to have been put out of play by a Golcar player but the throw was awarded to Golcar. Golcar exploited the space allowed them and scored from the throw.

The Azzurri almost regained the advantage when Big Al took a shot but the keeper saved, pushing the ball back to Al’s feet and he hit the second attempt narrowly past the post.

With just under ten minutes to go, a suspiciously offside-looking but unmarked Golcar forward headed towards goal. HDH got a hand to it, however, he couldn’t keep the ball from looping into the net to ultimately win it for Golcar.

Despite the second half seeing 8 subs, 3 goals, a sending off and plenty of collecting the ball at the pace of a pall bearer, there was only 94 seconds of time added on. FT 2-3.

A disappointing result as there were plenty of positives and we deserved a point for sure but, ‘interesting’ officiating notwithstanding, our game management let us down so we take our medicine and go again next time out.

WEBMASTER MOTM – these lads never lack commitment to the cause. Varls and Elliot Owen were metronomic in their heading away and clearing. El Binno continued to put his body on the line. The Colonel was a warrior in the engine room and his goal was a peach. Haighy and Big Al must’ve covered some serious miles, alternately attacking and tracking back. But I’m giving the Glitterball to Lloyd Smith – an assist, an absolute worldy of a goal and a work rate that stands out in every game. Lovely stuff, Lloydy!

TWITTER MOTM – Lloydy takes it with just under 50% of the votes from The Colonel, Varls and Josh Haigh. The ref also got a vote, presumably from a Golcar fan. Thanks to all who voted.

Click here for the new gaffer Pat McGuire’s thoughts on his first game in charge.

229 through the gate. Thank you for your unwavering and vocal support.

The Blues are next in action on Friday 10th March when we travel up to Emley for a 7.45pm kickoff. Make sure you wrap up warm for this one. Hope to see you all there….