Recap

Frickley 2 Pickering Town 0

Playing on Halloween, The Blues certainly sunk their fangs into Pickering Town early in the game and didn’t let go, securing a deserved 3 points with a dominant and determined display, 

Before kickoff, we had a minute’s applause for the sadly departed Greg Gardham. And skipper Joel Spence presented a bouquet of flowers to Greg’s wife, with love from all at the club. Then, with many of Greg’s family and friends in attendance, The Boys in Blue put in a performance worthy of the occasion.

The visitors sent a lofted effort comfortably over the bar as early as the 2nd minute, then Charlie Austerfield saw an early header gathered by the keeper.

But it was The Azzurri who provided the first real scare, taking the lead in the 12th minute with a superbly executed goal. A long throw from Ste Williams found Lewis O’Connor, who stopped the ball dead before unleashing an unstoppable strike from 12 yards into the top corner, a finish that left the Pickering keeper as little more than a spectator.

Les Bleus continued to look the more threatening side. Lloydy was almost sent clear by a ball over the top, although there was just a little too much on it, before Jenko combined with Radz, whose head down presented LOC with an opportunity to shoot, although that went just over.

Pickering had a brief moment from a bout of penalty box head tennis in the 28th minute, which eventually ended with an acrobatic Pikes bicycle kick, but Evans dealt with it before the danger was cleared.

At the other end, Grist fired over from distance, Cable volleyed straight at the keeper following Lloydy’s cross, and Lloydy himself curled a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area.

There were further chances in the 35th minute when Jenko’s free kick was headed down by Radz into Cable’s path. His first shot struck a fellow Blue and his second was blocked, and scrambled clear.

The best opportunity to extend the advantage before the interval came in the 43rd minute. A ball down the flank found Grist, who ghosted past his market before bearing down on goal, only for the keeper to block his shot with his legs when one-on-one.

Williams then charged into the penalty area a minute later and had an appeal for a spot kick turned down, only to award a free kick to Pickering a moment later for a lesser offence. HT 1-0.

The Boys in Blue almost doubled the lead within a minute of the restart. Cable’s shot was saved, with Austerfield following up, but his lob was kept out on the goal line by a keeper-defender combo.

The visitors struggled to make much of an impression as The Azzurri continued to dictate proceedings. Spence’s cross in the 58th minute was flicked on by Cable for Grist to head narrowly wide at the back post. Lloydy’s free kick was deflected over before Radz headed wide from the resulting corner. And Williams then took a quick free kick in the 63rd minute to find Grist, whose shot across goal swerved wide.

Pickering did manage the occasional foray forward, with a header wide, a shot going high over the bar and low effort that slid wide in the 67th minute.

Grist subsequently carved out another opening, only to see his shot charged down, while Evans demonstrated the value of having a keeper comfortable playing as a sweeper when he raced from his area in the 69th minute to snuff out a visiting attack.

Walker replaced Cable as Frickley looked to push on, but there was a reminder that the job wasn’t quite finished when a Pickering free kick was headed towards goal in the 78th minute. Evans responded with an excellent low save, the best of the afternoon, to preserve the clean sheet.

Price replaced LOC before The Blues finally put the contest beyond doubt in the 86th minute. Jenko delivered a booming cross which narrowly evaded Walker’s head, but the ball dropped perfectly for Grist in the 6 yard box, and he made no mistake, driving it past the keeper like a stake through a vampire’s heart.

With the points effectively secured, Cleggy, Kilner and SEB were introduced for Grist, Austerfield and Williams as The Mighty Blues saw out the remaining minutes. FT 2-0.

There were no Halloween horrors for The Azzurri as 1 clean sheet, 2 well taken goals, and 3 points made for a satisfying afternoon at The Wezzie.

STAT ATTACK – That was the first time we’ve won 3 consecutive home games in the league since August 2021!

WEBMASTER MOTM – a commanding performance, and the new signings slotted in perfectly. Defensively solid, take a bow Owen Evans, Will Jenkinson, Josh Dacre and Ste Williams. Lewis O’Connor, Joel Spence and Charlie Austerfield were gritty and combative in midfield. And the attack was creative and incisive, yes, you, Sam Cable, Lloyd Smith and Keelan Grist. But the Glitterball goes to Tom Radley. He was a monster, heading away bricks. Boo-tiful, Radz!

VOLUNTEERS’ MOTM – Charlie Austerfield was chosen by a majority of the Blues volunteers at the game. Well done, Aussie!

260 through the gate. We thank you all for your spook-tacular support!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Lee Morris, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 3rd November when Dearne & District are our visitors to The Wezzie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD