Recap

Frickley 2 Golcar United 0

(NCEL League Cup)

The Blues booked a place in the quarter finals of the NCEL League Cup with a composed and confident 2-0 victory over Golcar United, overcoming one of our recent bogey sides with a strong all-round performance.

The Blues were disrupted before we’d even kicked a ball as El Binno pulled up in the warmup. The Gaffer, Woolly stepped in to breach at a moment’s notice.

Despite the setback, The Blues showed no fear from the off, almost taking the lead inside 4 minutes when Woolly threaded a ball through for Destiny, only for the visiting keeper to smother it at his feet.

Booth was called into action on 11 minutes, reacting well to push away a tricky Golcar free kick. 10 minutes on and a rasping volley from the visitors was bravely blocked by a Frickley defender.

The Blues continued to carve out the better chances, with Robbo proving a constant menace. He shrugged off his marker on 25 minutes and drove into the box, but could only ripple the side netting.

A minute later, the opener arrived. An incisive through ball found Josh Lindley, who coolly slotted the ball through the keeper’s legs to put the Blues a goal up.

Golcar went close from a 31st minute corner, the ball somehow evading a tangle of legs as it skidded through the 6 yard box.

Moments later, Robbo was halted just yards from goal after another trademark run. He then tested the keeper from range on 38 minutes before Woolly razzle dazzled ‘em in the 42nd minute, although Destiny couldn’t make use of his clever pass.

Lindley almost doubled the lead just before the break with a grass-scorching wormburner but the keeper got down quickly to deny him. The Blues went in at the half deservedly ahead. HT 1-0.

In an unusual aside, after the 2 sides had lined up following the interval, ready to recommence battle, the ref informed Spence that he only had 10 players. Spence then had to go and collect Destiny from the pavilion where he was presumably finishing his half time Jaffa. You’ve got to love non league!

At full strength, The Azzurri wasted no time adding a second after the restart. Less than 3 minutes in, Robbo surged down the flank and delivered a superb low cross, which eventually dropped to Lindley. He made no mistake, burying his finish for 2-0 and his second of the evening. For reference, his dad, Phil, scored 8 in 208 appearances for The Blues.

Robbo remained heavily involved, forcing a fingertip save 2 minutes later, before Destiny nearly capitalised on a bouncing ball in the area on 53 minutes but couldn’t bring it under control. Lindley fired over shortly after.

In the 70th minute there was frustration for The Boys in Blue when Destiny was hauled down by the last man, but the ref awarded nothing, even though the liner flagged furiously for an infringement.

Robbo then produced another dangerous effort on 74 minutes, this time pushed past the post by the Golcar keeper at full stretch.

The Blues made a series of changes to rest tired legs. One of those almost had the final say as, deep into stoppage time, Robbo stung the keeper’s palms once more and Sheard nearly headed in the rebound to add late gloss to the scoreline. FT 2-0.

The Gaffer asked for a response and he got it – showing quality across the park to earn a solid and fully deserved win against a very tricky opponent.

WEBMASTER MOTM – it was like watching a different team from that beaten 6-0 at Knaresborough. Booth had little to do in goal but did it confidently. The back 4 were immense, with Radz heading away bricks, and Kilner scurrying out of defence to tackle early. Spence and Hez prowled the midfield like hunting hyenas. And Destiny, Tom A and Robbo were simply relentless in their running to keep Golcar on the back foot, with Lindley coming from deep to finish twice with surgical precision. But the Glitterball goes jointly to Harry Gagen and Martyn Woolford. Gadge extinguished danger as soon as it appeared and simultaneously protected his left back, young Woolly who rolled back those years, coming in at left back at the last minute – Ashley Coal 😉 Wunderbar, Wool-gen!

TWITTER MOTM – Josh Lindley takes it from Martyn Woolford, Tom Radley and Lucas Robinson. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Harry Gagen and Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua were chosen by Seth Beattie and Karamo Saidykhan. Well done, fellas!

129 through the gate. Such loyalty, coming out for a league cup game against a team that’s put a dozen past us in our 2 league games, and on a baltic evening too, is true love. We love you right back!

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

To see the full photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

To see the goals, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 29th November when Barton Town are our visitors to The Wezzie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD