Frickley Athletic v Maltby Main

Recap

Frickley 4 Maltby Main 3

It was a game of 2 wildly different halves but The Azzurri clung on for the 4-3 win despite a big second half comeback by the visitors, Maltby Main.

One change from Tuesday as Rieves Boocock came in for the suspended Big Al Keita. Keanan Mannings and Luke Walker returned to the bench after injury.

Maltby unleashed a fierce shot in the 5th minute that was met with an solid save from the ever-vigilant Bradders. Then Wade took centre stage showing some nimble footwork but missing the mark with a shot that went just wide.

The crowd of 174 were treated to a sublime piece of play in the 14th minute when Rip executed a mesmerizing backheel into the path of Lloydy, but he was scythed down in full flight. Lloydy got up to send the keeper the wrong way with a clinical spot kick.

It was almost 2 when Maltby’s keeper scuffed a back pass narrowly wide of the post to concede a corner.

On 22 minutes, El Binno found Keegan Townrow from the right, he headed on into the danger area where the ball was touched to Boocock. Cool as a cucumber, Rievesy caressed the ball into the net to double the advantage.

Maltby had opportunities to reduce the arrears. They broke clean through, the forward tried to round Bradders but Golden Gloves plucked the ball off the striker’s toes. Maltby also landed a cross on top of the bar and headed over.

However, The Azzurri stood firm and seized their chance in time added on at the end of the half when the keeper punched the ball out, but only as far as the lurking Rievesy B who unleashed a sensational volley from the edge of the box for his second of the game. HT 3-0.

The second half started well for The Blues as The Bretton Baggio crossed and Morgan James’s deft touch saw the ball go past the keeper into the onion bag for the fourth goal.

Maltby were down but apparently weren’t out and replied with a top-corner strike in the 57th minute.

The visitors continued their pursuit of a still unlikely looking comeback, forcing a string of top drawer saves from our young custodian, Callum Bradbury.

The ref was unimpressed when a Maltby forward went down in the box and he was either warned for simulation or was awarded 5.8 for the dive. No card though.

In the 81st minute, Maltby’s number 5 was allowed to turn in the box and stick it in the bottom corner to further reduce the arrears.

The game took an even more dramatic turn with 3 minutes to go, a Maltby shot was deflected wide for a corner and Maltby scored from said corner.

The opposition were destined to finish with 10 men as their number 9 was shown a straight red card for dissent on his debut for the club.

Maltby still went looking for the equaliser but The Boys in Blues dug deep and avoided having to share the points when a final foray, ending with an overhead kick, went wide 6 minutes into time added on. FT 4-3.

And breathe! What a game that was for the neutral. It’s certainly never dull, down at The Wezzie. Credit to our opponents, Maltby Main who belied their lowly league position to push us all the way in the end. We’ve shown similar fight and resilience in many previous games. But nonetheless, the 3 cherries were all ours at the final whistle.

STAT ATTACK – the 3 points won takes us to 36 points, equalling our points total from the whole of the 2022/23 season but  with 14 league games still to play this season.

WEBMASTER MOTM – not the very finest of our performances but we scored 4 top quality goals and we won, didn’t we? The standouts included the mercurial Wade Ripley, the gritty Lewis Binns, the dogged Brandon Murillo, and the hard-running leader that is The Colonel Richard Collier. Then there’s that remarkable young man in goal. Not 18 until later this month, Bradders continues to not just impress but to secure points with his reflex saves and brave keeping. But the Glitterball just has to go to Rieves Boocock. He stepped straight into Big Al’s boots with a couple of beautifully taken goals. Right on, Rieves!

TWITTER MOTM – Rieves Boocock takes it from Wade Ripley, Lewis Binns and Richard Collier. Callum Bradbury also polled  a food few votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Wade Ripley was chosen by Ben Streeton. Well done, Rip!

174 through the gate for the first home game of 2024. Thank you for your super support!

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

To hear the thoughts of young Frickley supporters, Ella and Josh, on the NCEL podcast, click here (btw their bit is 10 minutes and 45 seconds in).

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 20th January when we travel to Eccleshill United for a 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there…

#forzafrickley