Recap

Frickley 0 Knaresborough Town 3

The Blues endured a disappointing evening as we fell to a 3-0 defeat against Knaresborough in a game where we never quite found a rhythm. Despite gaining some good  field position, The Blues were made to pay for loose play in front of goal as the visitors were ruthless when opportunities presented themselves.

The Blues began the contest on the front foot, with Luis AF looking lively from the off. Just 4 minutes in, he streaked past his marker and whipped in a dangerous cross, signalling his intent.

At the other end, only a fingertip save from Sykes denied Knaresborough an opener as he reacted brilliantly to a deft flick from a cross.

Luis AF continued to cause problems down the flank, jinking past his defender on 10 minutes only to stick his shot into the runner beans at the allotment end. He went agonisingly close soon after, striking the upright from a tight angle.

Knaresborough showed their own  signs of threat, going close when they also rattled the woodwork in the 18th minute.

Luis AF fizzed a tantalising ball across the face of goal that begged for a finishing touch but evaded everyone in Blue.

Woolly then tried his luck from distance, sending a drive narrowly wide from around 20 yards as The Azzurri pressed for the breakthrough. But as so often happens, missed chances came back to haunt us.

So it was that The Blues fell behind. A 28th minute defensive header failed to clear the danger, dropping kindly for the visitors’ number 11, who volleyed beyond Sykes to make it 1-0.

Frickley had chances to respond. Woolly slid a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Destiny, who looked set to equalise, but the away side’s keeper got down quickly to stop the shot. Moments later, a 3-on-1 break for The Blues should have yielded a more, but instead of squaring, the chance was wasted with an early shot.

The punishment for that miss was swift and harsh. In the 44th minute, a suspiciously offside looking  Knaresborough forward was allowed to run on and score. The flag stayed down, and he calmly slotted past Sykes to double the lead. HT 0-2.

Les Bleus came out after the break looking to claw their way back. Shots were blocked, Robbo drilled a low effort that was comfortably saved, and Ceesay threatened with a header from close range. There were appeals when Robbo was bundled over as he charged through, but the referee waved play on, judging it to be shoulder to shoulder.

At the other end, however, Knaresborough were clinical. On 66 minutes, they carved through again, with a hint of a foul on Collins in the build up, before drilling the ball home to all but end the game as a contest.

There was still time for the introduction of Donnell Garrick for his debut. The newcomer almost made an immediate impact, linking neatly with Ceesay before seeing his shot blocked.

Further fresh legs in TK and Butch gave The Blues renewed energy, and Destiny remained lively, beating defenders with his direct running. On 77 minutes he wriggled through but dragged his shot wide, then 8 minutes later forced the keeper into a point blank save from Robbo’s cross, though the keeper knew little about it, I suspect.

Knaresborough might have added a fourth when they rolled an effort just wide in the closing stages, while Radz had one final opportunity for The Blues deep into stoppage time, heading narrowly off target. FT 0-3.

It was a scrappy game from start to finish, and the scoreline perhaps flattered the visitors a little but underlined the difference in composure between the 2 sides. However, we need to dust ourselves down and go again at the weekend, determined to find the cutting edge that eluded us here. And it was still better than watching England on the box!

WEBMASTER MOTM – Well, we’ve been better. This certainly wasn’t the high standards that we’ve seen in past games. Martin Woolford is really getting his eye back in. Joel Spence was a leader, scrapping for everything in midfield. Despite an early mistake, Sam Kilner put in another quality performance, showing great mental strength. Radz continued to head away bricks while Gagen was always there and thereabouts. And Luis AF worried defenders every time he gets on the ball. But the Glitterball has to go to Kieran Ceesay. He was head and shoulders above the rest with his quick feet and creativity. Killing it Casey!

TWITTER MOTM – Kieron Ceesay takes it from Joel Spence, Sam Kilner and Tom Radley. Harry Gagen also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Kieron Ceesay was chosen by Gareth Dando. Well done, Robbo!

205 through the gate. Thank you for your support, choosing club over country. We really appreciate it!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Tom Claisse, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 13th September when Golcar United are our visitors to The Wezzie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD