Frickley Athletic v Goole AFC

Recap

Frickley 2 Goole AFC 0

The Boys in Blue finished the season with a flourish as they won 2-0 in front of a decent crowd in the sunshine at The Wezzie, and condemned visitors Goole to almost certain relegation.

In the starting eleven, Ben Hall came into midfield whilst Wade Ripley moved to the bench and new signing Kelan Swales made his debut after his international clearance came through, giving us cover for a suspended Big Al.

It was a cagey start for both sides with each having long range attempts that didn’t trouble the keepers in the opening twenty minutes.

Over the following quarter of an hour, Harrison Davison-Hale was forced into making a couple of smart stops as the visitors looked to keep alive their slender hopes of league survival.

Newly crowned Player of the Season, Lewis Binns, then saw his bullet header rattle the bar, denying him the goal we’d all have loved to see him score. And Kelan burst through but the Goole keeper stopped it with his feet.

Kelan continued probing, making darting runs, and in the 40th minute he got his just reward. Racing clear, Kelan rounded the keeper, steadied himself then fired the ball past the covering defender to give The Azzurri the lead. HT 1-0.

Into the second period, and after an early drive wide by Kelan, Goole had a couple of chances, shooting narrowly over.

Kelan hadn’t played a game in six months, not that you’d have known it until he succumbed to cramp in the 57th minute, and was replaced by Wade Ripley.

The Bretton Baggio had only been on for ten minutes when Josh Haigh cushioned a header into his path and he coolly stuck it away from six yards out and doubled the advantage.

The margin could’ve been bigger. Lloydy’s shot was well saved and Cleggy smashed the rebound goalwards but it was blocked. And Haighy’s shot was deflected inches wide of the upright.

With five minutes to play, HDH made another top save to keep it at  2-0 and that was how it stayed until the final whistle. FT 2-0.

Goole were fighting to stay up and their play belied their league position but The Blues were equal to it and showed what they’re made of. The win, our first at home in 2023 and the first for the new manager, was well deserved. Let’s do that again lots more times next season.

WEBMASTER MOTM – the pressure was off in terms of relegation but the lads played for pride and played for the badge. HDH and the back four deserved their cleano, the midfield were dogged, the chaps up top lead the opposition defence a merry dance and the subs were super. Kelan and Wade took their goals well with a pair of confident finishes. And the folk on the bench, Pat, Blake and Sarah, we see you. So all in all you won’t be surprised to know that the final Glitterball of 22/23 goes to the whole squad, Bonzer, boys! And a huge thanks to all who’ve pulled on the Blue shirt this season!

TWITTER MOTM – Ryan Basi takes the final public vote of 2022/23 from Kelan Swales, Lewis Binns and Josh Haigh. Thanks to all who voted.

An amazing 323 through the gate. Thank you again for your undying support all season – you’ve been the twelfth man when we’ve needed you most!

To hear the thoughts of the management team, Pat McGuire and Blake Campbell, click here, and to hear from The Colonel, Players’ Player of the Season, and El Binno, Supporters’ Player of the Season, click here.

That’s it for this season for the first team. But the Young Azzurri / U23s  are in action on Wednesday 18th April, at The Wezzie when they face Taddy Albion i2i City U23, 7.45pm kickoff, and hopefully the league championship trophy should be presented after the game. And on Monday, 1st May, the U15s play Carcroft Village in the Doncaster League Cup final at the Eco Power Stadium, 10am ko. Come on down and cheer ‘em all on.

Hope to see you all again in 2023/24! COYB!

#forzafrickley