Recap

Frickley 1 Maghull 5 (FA Vase)

Frickley bowed out of the FA Vase at the first hurdle on Saturday, suffering a disappointing 5-1 home defeat to Maghull. The scoreline was harsh on Les Bleus, who created plenty of chances and had more than their fair share of misfortune. However, The Blues ultimately paid the price for not taking opportunities when they came, while the visitors did not make the same mistake.

Maghull struck an early blow after just three minutes, when a forward charged down Sykes’s attempted clearance, controlled the ricochet, and finished neatly to make it 1-0.

The Azzurri responded positively as Woolly broke clear soon after but was wrongly flagged offside, before Jenko tested the visiting keeper with a header from Spence’s free kick.

The Blues enjoyed a long spell of dominance throughout the remainder of the half. Luis AF teed up Woolly, whose effort was blocked, while Robbo fizzed a dangerous cross across the six yard box with no one able to apply the final touch. Los Azules thought they had an equaliser on 25 minutes when Collins powered in a header, but to general disbelief the flag went up. Veo footage later confirmed the goal should have stood. I can only assume the liner had just washed his flag and was trying to dry it as he spent most of the afternoon waving it in the wind.

More chances followed. Gagen’s driving run ended with Luis AF scuffing his shot, Tom A had a stinging effort beaten away, and Luis AF again looked set to score just before the break but was denied by the keeper.  The Blues were very much still in this game.

The best Maghull could muster to this point was a blocked shot, although Sykes pulled off a top save in the final seconds of the half. HT 0-1.

Sadly, the second period was a different kettle of fish. It began in almost identical fashion to the first with De Blauwen conceding, 3 minutes in. Maghull doubling their lead as a low cross was tucked away from close range.

Otherwise, Sykes continued to excel between the sticks, making a superb save with his legs and then fingertipping away a header, but he could do little about a debatable penalty on 61 minutes. Collins was adjudged to have fouled in the box, and Maghull converted from the spot to effectively end the game as a contest. The referee awarded Collins a yellow card but didn’t make this clear. Thus it was that Collins’s afternoon went from bad to worse minutes later when a theatrical tumble (one of many) earned the visitors another free kick, and The Blues defender was shown a second yellow card. Down to 10 men, an uphill task became mission impossible.

Maghull added 2 further goals, a volley from the edge of the box in the 71st minute and Niall Butchart diverted the ball into his own net with a glancing header from a corner in the 80th.

Sykes again produced another decent save to prevent the deficit from becoming even greater.

To their credit, The Azzurri never gave in. Luis AF was hauled down in the box as he sped past his marker late on, and Destiny, on as sub, confidently dispatched the penalty for a deserved consolation in the 87th minute.

Tom A came within inches of adding another in stoppage time, his free kick just clearing the crossbar. FT 1-5.

It wasn’t our day, with fine margins and officiating decisions going against us. Maghull’s propensity to go to ground at every opportunity did not help. The main takeaways were the spells of good attacking football and chances created, and the commitment to keep pushing until the end. But never mind, Wembley’s overrated anyway and The Blues can concentrate on bouncing back strongly in the league.

WEBMASTER MOTM – the performance was full of effort and  intent, but the area lacking was the finishing. Harry Gagen was his usual solid self, while Cody Collins was unlucky to see a goal wrongly ruled out before being harshly dismissed. Luis AF’s pace caused problems throughout and he won the penalty, calmly converted by Destiny – his first goal for the club. Woolly and Tom A both carried a threat going forward, with Tom A going close from distance more than once. However, the Glitterball goes to Will Sykes. Without his timely stops, the margin of defeat would’ve been much more than it was. Wunderbar, Will!

TWITTER MOTM – In another remarkably close vote, Harry Gagen narrowly takes it from Will Sykes, Luis Afonso Ferreira and Tom Alngohuru. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Tom Alngohuru was chosen by Teddy Claisse. Well done, Tom A!

152 through the gate. Thank you for your loyal support on days like these.

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 Tuesday 26th August when we get back to the bread and butter of league football and Tadcaster Albion are our visitors, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD