Recap

Frickley 1 Horbury Town 1

The Blues rounded off the 2025/26 campaign with a dramatic late leveller to share the spoils with Horbury Town in a 1-1 draw. The result ensured the visitors secured the point they needed for survival, while The Azzurri matched both their highest ever NCEL finish and points tally.

It was Horbury who threatened first on 11 minutes, albeit from a very soft free kick, but Sykesy was equal to it, producing an excellent save to keep things all square.

Just 2 minutes later, Kilner was poleaxed when he bravely charged down an attempted Horbury long ball, underlining the determined defensive effort that The Boys in Blue were going to be displaying all afternoon.

The Azzurri were having to stay alert, and in the 16 minute Viggars did superbly to track back and tidy up after Horbury had broken through.

However, the pressure told in the 20th minute when a Horbury winger got in behind the defence to cross from the left for his teammate to head home from close range, to take a 1-0 lead.

It took some time for The Blues to respond, and when Love did deliver a 31st minute cross that found Kilner, his header was comfortably gathered.

Horbury hit on the counter, dragging a shot wide in the 33rd minute, before their number 9 was booked for punching the ball away when he was judged to be offside.

Les Bleus looked to probe further. Love embarked on a surging run on 38 minutes but saw his cross blocked, and a minute later another delivery into the box was nodded away just as Andrew lurked dangerously in front of goal. HT 0-1.

After the interval, there was a noticeable improvement from The Blues. On 54 minutes, Gagen’s free kick picked out Viggars, whose header was held by the keeper.

The pressure was building, and in the 62nd minute Frickley were left frustrated as Kilner appeared to be taken out from behind following Lindley’s cross, but the ref waved away what looked a strong penalty claim.

The momentum stayed with The Azzurri. Although Sykesy was called into action, getting fingertips to a low effort to keep the deficit at 1, Robbo combined well with Love in the 64th minute, and the latter’s strike crashed against the crossbar in what was the closest Les Bleus had come.

Changes followed as fresh legs were introduced, presciently including Charlie Clegg, and thus The Blues kept pushing. Andrew saw a bouncing attempt on goal caught on 65 minutes.

A series of contentious decisions frustrated The Azzurri, such as a spurious caution for Lindley, but none more so than in the 82nd minute when a blatant Horbury handball in their own box went unpunished.

Horbury fired wide in the 87th minute, leaving the door still ajar, and The Blues finally capitalised deep into stoppage time. From a free kick wide on the left, Cleggy delivered a moment of magic, curling the ball straight into the top corner to spark celebrations. It was his 6th goal of the season, and remarkably, his 5th from the bench.

The final whistle followed a few moments later, confirming the draw. FT 1-1.

While Horbury celebrated securing their place at step 5, The Blues could take satisfaction from digging in after the break and salvaging a well deserved point, bringing the curtain down on a transitional season. Can’t wait to do it all again in 26/27!

WEBMASTER MOTM – we grew into the game and were unfortunate not to win it tbh. Sykesy marked his 50th appearance with some crucial saves, Radz played a captain’s innings, and Robbo signed off the season with another front foot performance. And Kilner looked like he might be up for a goal. However, the final Glitterball of 25/26 goes jointly to a pair that, between them, were on the pitch for 87 minutes of the 90, Tyler Sheard and Charlie Clegg. For such a young fella, Ty was solid at the heart of midfield, while supersub Cleggy’s goal was an absolute pearler. Tremendous, Ty-lie!

TWITTER MOTM – Charlie Clegg’s goalscoring cameo takes it from Tyler Sheard, Lucas Robinson, and Tom Radley. Sam Kilner and Liam Love also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Tyler Sheard was chosen by Michael Johnson. Well done, Ty!

337 through the gate. We thank you for your unbelievable season-long support through thick and thin!

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

To see the full photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here. (Additional gallery by Matthew Wilmot also available here.)

To see the matchday programme, click here.

This was the last game of the season, so The Blues are next in action in July, preparing for 2026/27. However, our U23s and both the Ladies’ 1st and 2nd teams still have games to play if you need a Frickley fix. Keep an eye on our social media for details.

Hope to see you all soon….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD