Recap

Frickley 1 Pickering Town 1

The Blues were left to rue a string of missed chances as a late and highly questionable penalty denied us a deserved victory in what turned out to be a lively draw with Pickering Town in damp, windy conditions.

The opening exchanges were bright despite the dreary weather, with both sides probing but creating little of note.

In the 14th minute, Sykesy was called into action, comfortably pushing away a tame free kick. Moments later, he reacted sharply again to parry a dangerous cross before a Pickering forward lashed the loose ball over although the flag was up for offside anyway.

Radz took one for the team in the 17th minute as he went into the book for a foul on an onrushing Pikes forward.

The Azzurri increasingly began to assert dominance, with a Tom Alngohuru free kick on 24 minutes eventually falling to Destiny, whose shot was blocked. Then the breakthrough came just 2 minutes later. Destiny produced a powerful run down the Pikes’ right flank and struck the post with a fierce effort. The rebound fell kindly for Tom Alngohuru, who kept his composure to steer home from close range to make it 1–0.

Pickering offered little in response before the break, save for one awkward moment in the 33rd minute when Pickering’s forward had a sight of goal but the Wezzie bobble deceived him and Sykes fell on the gentle shot.

The Blues felt mightily aggrieved in the 41st minute when Destiny was barged over in the box, only for the referee to award the visitors a free kick instead. The challenge warranted a penalty far more than either 2 of those that were awarded to the visitors in the second half. HT 1-0.

After the restart, The Blues continued to look the more dangerous side. Destiny went close from 25 yards on 48 minutes, before Spence embarked on a lung busting run that was halted by a last ditch tackle 8 minutes later. The Pikes then reminded the hosts they were still around by skimming the top of the bar with a dipping shot.

The Azzurri kept kept up the pressure. Destiny charged down the visiting keeper’s clearance on 58 minutes, the rebound spinning agonisingly wide. Then, at 65 minutes, Destiny burst clear only to see his shot hit the keeper. Robbo followed up, but the keeper recovered to save again.

Controversy followed on 69 minutes when Pickering handled in the own box, before going down theatrically. The ref initially pointed to the spot, but after consulting the liner, correctly reversed the decision to the The Blues’ relief (and surprise). Justice was done.

The Blues introduced Butch and Cleggy for Heselwood and Woolly, with immediate impact as Cleggy combined with Destiny in the 78th minute only for the latter to drag his shot wide. Elliot Andrew replaced Destiny shortly after as The Boys in Blue looked to freshen up the attack.

Then, The Blues were dealt a cruel reminder of the importance of putting away the opportunities created in those long spells of dominance. In the final minute, Pickering were awarded a soft penalty, Jenko was deemed the perpetrator but I (and he) would struggle to tell you what his misdemeanour was. The visitors gratefully converted from the spot to level affairs. FT 1-1.

A harsh result on The Blues after dominating much of the contest and looking the more cohesive side throughout. Missed chances proved costly. However, it shows our improvement that we’re focusing on the points dropped rather than the point won. And that’s a run of 5 games unbeaten in all competitions – our best since November 2023. The performance level offers plenty to be encouraged by, heading into the next outing.

WEBMASTER MOTM – it was a display full of energy, control, and commitment, and we created more than enough to win the game. So where do you start with the standouts? The defence was tough as teak, Joel Spence, Shaun Heselwood, Lucas Robinson and Tom Angohuru were indefatigable, while the gaffer, Martyn Woolford, simply gaffered it. But the Glitterball goes to Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua. He was a whirlwind, putting the defence on the back foot at every turn. The only thing missing was a goal. Delightful, Destiny!

TWITTER MOTM – Joel Spence takes it from Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua, Tom Alngohuru and Martyn Woolford. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Lucas Robinson was chosen by Andy Steel. Well done, Robbo!

154 through the gate. Thank you so much for coming out on a grotty evening to support the lads!

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

To see the goals, click here.

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

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 18th November when Rossington Main are our visitors to The Wezzie for a Sheffield Senior Cup 3rd round tie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD