Frickley Athletic v Pontefract Collieries F C

Recap

Preseason Friendly:

Frickley 1 Pontefract Collieries 7

The Blues were comprehensively beaten, being shown how it’s done by a well organised Ponte side who were quick to close down and clinical on the break.

The game wasn’t 10 minutes old before Ponte were 2 goals to the good. They cut inside and stuck it in the bottom corner as early as the the 3rd minute. They then hit one from range that ended up in the top corner 4 minutes later.

Just before the half hour mark, the visitors scored a tap in to finish a smart move.

The best of it for The Blues was a Brandon Potts cross that was deflected, forcing the keeper to get down to hold it. HT 0-3.

In the opening stages of the second period, The Azzurri were looking more solid. Thus, it took Ponte until the hour before their forward rolled his man to go clear, latching onto a through ball to notch number 4.

At the other end, Haighy hit a dipping volley and the keeper made a flying save.

Ponte continued to press, shooting wide on the turn and hitting the post before blazing the rebound over.

They didn’t have to wait long for their next goal though, heading into the ground and it looped up and over the keeper in the 67th minute.

On 70 minutes, The Azzurri got on the scoresheet as Jack Holden crossed and Haighy smashed it past the Ponte keeper. Could the comeback be on?

The action continued, Ponte netted again but it was offside and Cyrus Rowe dinked his shot inches over the bar for The Blues.

With 10 minutes to go, Ponte bundled the ball in from a corner and I was starting to think I might settle for a point!

Ponte won a free kick on the edge of the box in the 86th minute. The kick bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper and he could only pushed it into the net. FT 1-7.

Soooooo close in the end. But it just wasn’t to be…

Ponte are a playoff team from the division above who have kept a lot of that side together. On this showing, the difference between that and where we are is clear. But firstly, we had some key players unavailable, and secondly, it’ll be a rather closer affair against Pickering in a week’s time. And remember, don’t panic, it’s still only preseason 😉

WEBMASTER MOTM – Sure, there’s stuff to work on but there were positives. More minutes in the legs, and heads never dropped. Holden, Gill, Varls, The Elk, Spence and Pottsy were industrious. However, the Glitterball is another joint one, going to Jack Cairney and Josh Haigh. Jack for his calmness in the face of the onslaught and his aerial prowess, and Haighy for his hard running and attacking threat, eventually earning him another goal.

174 through the gate. Thank you for coming out to support us on a muggy evening!

To hear the thoughts of club legend, El Binno, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 23rd July, when we travel to Nostell MW, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD