Frickley Athletic v Handsworth FC

Recap

Frickley 1 Handsworth 1

The Blues will be justified in feeling rather hard done by after being held to a one-all draw by 10-man Handsworth in a decidedly feisty encounter.

Lloyd Smith and Josh Haigh came back into the starting eleven in place of Ellz Anku who moved to the bench and the injured Morgan James. Also on the bench was Josh Cummins, stepping up to the first team squad after his good form for Martin Beaumont’s U23s.

The game was barely a minute old when Lloydy found a yard and tried to dink it over the keeper but it was saved.

Handsworth hit the bar from 25 yards out just 2 minutes later. A flurry of Handsworth corners followed but were dealt with by the defensive unit.

The Azzurri went a goal up on 11 minutes. A Keanan Mannings throw reached El Binno, he shot, it was pushed away but only as far as Big Al who tucked away the loose ball.

The Elk’s free kick from 30 yards was tipped over in the 17th minute. Mannings flicked the ball inches wide from the corner.

In the 23rd minute, a penalty was awarded to Handsworth for who knows what. The opposition didn’t appeal and the liner didn’t flag. I’ve consulted the runes and think it may have been awarded for handball. Maybe. Anyway, ex-Blue Craig Nelthorpe duly dispatched the undeserved spot kick to level it.

Within moments of the restart, Handsworth were down to 10 as their number 2 saw red for an attempted amputation on El Binno. It was a straight red but the same player was extremely fortunate not to have received a card for an earlier, similar challenge.

Shortly after the half hour mark, the Handsworth danger man Mitchell Dunne got clear but Bradders made a grade A stop with his legs.

On the stroke of half time, Rip crossed to Lloydy and his header to the diving Big Al was cleared before he could make contact. HT 1-1.

Lloydy forced the keeper to get down quickly to save before Big Al lifted the rebound over, soon after the restart.

The one way traffic continued as Richard Collier, Brandon Murillo, Josh Haigh and Zav Elkin all had a ping from range, some going closer than others.

Handsworth put a couple of attempts wide in quick succession at around 70 minutes.

With 10 minutes to go, a training ground move almost came off when Big Al volleyed wide from a corner.

Sub Rieves Boocock fired wide and The Elk’s shot was deflected into the side netting. Josh Cummins also on as sub, had a run, squaring to Boocock but without result.

Then in the final seconds of the 7 minutes of time added on, The Elk crashed a shot against the bar and it looked like it came down over the line to me. In the immediate aftermath, Big Al was clearly scythed down but was booked for his troubles, for simulation – you can’t make this stuff up. FT 1-1

The Boys in Blue put in a battling performance as we won our duals all over the park but the visitors will definitely be the happier of the two sides with the result. It’s never easy playing against 10 men who are playing for the draw. A point’s a point though.

WEBMASTER MOTM – we were a band of brothers, scrapping for everything, everywhere and for each other. We defended from the front and attacked from the back. The next win’s coming. The Glitterball goes to Josh Haigh. He typified what this team’s about, he was a tiger in the tackle and was like a gazelle as he dashed forward. High five, Haighy! 🙌

TWITTER MOTM – Big Al Keita takes it from Keanan Mannings, Brandon Murillo and Josh Haigh. Alex Varley, Wade Ripley and Zav Elkin also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Wade Ripley was chosen by volunteer, Gerry Wray. Well done Rip!

An impressive 281 through the gate. Thank you for your top support of your local club again!

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

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 17th October when we travel to Goole AFC for a 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley