Recap

Frickley 2 Horbury Town 3

A late rally almost earned The Blues an unlikely point, but despite reducing a 3 goal deficit to just 1 in the closing stages, we were left wondering what might have been as Horbury Town edged an interesting affair at Westfield Lane.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, with both sides fighting for control in midfield during the first 5 minutes. Horbury’s direct approach quickly became evident, however, with a succession of long throws and balls into the box testing the Frickley defence.

The visitors’ first opportunity arrived in the 8th minute when a towering long throw was comfortably gathered by Lloyd Allinson. A minute later, another ball over the top caused concern as Horbury’s number 11 went to ground inside the penalty area, but the ref waved away appeals for a spot kick.

The Boys in Blue produced a neat attacking move in the 11th minute as Harry Gagen and Charlie Price combined well down the right before releasing Elliott Andrew, only for Horbury’s defence to snuff out the danger. At the other end, another long throw was only partially cleared 2 minutes later, allowing the visitors’ number 9 to meet the loose ball on the volley, although his effort drifted wide.

Horbury continued to ask questions with their aerial game. In the 18th minute, another long delivery into the right side of the penalty area wasn’t dealt with cleanly before a cross flashed across goal and was eventually hacked clear.

A free kick just outside the Blue box in the 28th minute offered Horbury another opportunity, but their number 9 fired over the crossbar before testing Allinson from 25 yards 3 minutes later with a strike the keeper gathered comfortably.

The Azzurri responded with arguably their best moment of the half in the 32nd minute. Price switched play superbly to Luke Williams, who cut inside from the left and unleashed a fierce drive that forced a decent save from the Horbury goalkeeper.

Another long throw was dealt with confidently by the Frickley back line before Horbury won a corner after a long ball was headed behind by Tom Radley. From the resulting 39th minute set piece, the ball ricocheted around inside and just outside the area before Horbury’s number 10 reacted quickest to put it away home.

Things worsened just 2 minutes later. A long ball forward was worked into the box and Horbury’s number 10 was again in the right place to turn home and double the visitors’ advantage.

Allinson ensured the deficit remained at two before the interval with an outstanding stop in the 43rd minute, producing a fine save after Horbury’s number 10 burst into the area from the left and fired goalwards. HT 0-2

The Blues looked to mount a response after the restart, although the opening moments of the second half were cagey. Charlie Price picked out Sam Cable with a cross into the box in the 49th minute where Luke Williams attempted to bring the ball under control before being clattered by a defender. Loud appeals for a penalty were ignored.

Williams soon had another sight of goal after latching onto a long ball into the area, but although his effort found the target, he was unable to generate enough power to trouble the visiting goalkeeper. 3 minutes later, the ball dropped invitingly for Andrew on the edge of the box, only for his strike to be comfortably held.

Les Bleus introduced fresh legs shortly afterwards, with Andrew and Tyler Sheard making way for Liam Flanagan and Sam Kilner. Within moments, Josh Dacre met a free kick from the right but headed narrowly wide before Harry Carmody drifted inside from the right flank and floated a teasing delivery beyond everyone.

Flanagan’s first meaningful contribution saw him chopped down as he surged forward on the left, earning Horbury’s defender a deserved yellow card.

In the 66th minute Horbury made a difficult  task a nigh on impossible one with a third goal. A ball played in behind the Blue back four saw Allinson produce an initial save, but the rebound fell kindly for the visitors’ number 14, who converted from close range.

Further substitutions saw Williams and Joel Spence replaced by Bailey Wright and Martyn Woolford as The Azzurri searched for a route back into the contest.

The potential  comeback began in the 73rd minute. A perfectly weighted through ball released Sam Cable, who shrugged off the attention of Horbury defenders before drilling a composed finish into the bottom right corner to halve the deficit.

Barely 2 minutes that comeback looked like it might be on. Cable battled superbly on the edge of the penalty area before the loose ball broke invitingly for Charlie Price, who rifled an unstoppable 20 yard strike beyond the keeper to make it 3-2.

Suddenly the momentum belonged to The Blues. Slick attacking football forced successive corners, with Wright’s delivery diverted behind before Flanagan’s follow up corner was eventually claimed by the goalkeeper.

Price nearly completed the turnaround in the 83rd minute, lifting his effort over the crossbar after another flowing Azzurri attack. The Blues continued to pour forward in search of an equaliser, and Price’s magnificent crossfield pass in the 88th minute found Wright, whose excellent first touch and inviting cross somehow evaded everyone in the 6 yard box.

Deep into stoppage time, Les Bleus won a final corner. Wright’s delivery into the danger area briefly raised hopes of a dramatic finale before the ref awarded Horbury a free kick. FT 2-3.

Despite a stirring recovery in the second period, The Azzurri were left with nothing to show for their efforts after Horbury’s clinical display in the first 70 minutes proved enough to secure all 3 points. There’s spirit in the Blue ranks, so we go again next time.

WEBMASTER MOTM – we simply left ourselves too much to do. It wasn’t without a few standouts as Luke Williams, Same Cable and Bailey Wright were worthy of a mention. But the Glitterball goes to Charlie Price. He was involved in much of the best play and took his goal – his first for the club – very nicely indeed. Played, Priceless!

TWITTER MOTM – Bailey Wright takes it from Charlie Price, Sam Cable and Luke Williams. Harry Gagen, Sam Kilner, Tom Radley and Josh Dacre also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted. .

SUPPORTERS’ MOTM – Charlie Price was chosen by Ty Jowett. well done, Chaz!

201 through the gate. Thank you for punctuating the school hols by coming down to The Wezzie to cheer on the lads!

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

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

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 8th August when we set out on the road to Wembley as Campion are our visitors to The Wezzie for an Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD