Recap

Frickley 4 Rossington Main 1

The Blues delivered a superb performance and secured a valuable 3 points at home, defeating Rossington Main 4-1 in a very watchable contest that saw The Blues dominate for long periods.

Les Bleus started the match with immediate intent, Destiny proving a handful for the Rossington defense right from the off. He had a sighter in the 3rd minute, firing over the bar from the edge of the box.

Both sides probed for an opening but it took another quarter of an hour before Jenko’s throw found Woolly, he headed on to Destiny but his shot flew across the face of goal and away. Robbo then tested the keeper but his shot was held, followed shortly by Destiny dragging a promising effort wide after getting onto a through ball and cutting inside.

After a substitution saw Luis AF replace Woolly, who had a twinge, Destiny continued his relentless intensity, charging down a clearance and dispossessing the Rosso keeper in the 22nd minute only to see his shot blocked.

Moments later, Rosso won a soft free kick on the edge of the box, but the wall did its job, squarely blocking the free kick. At the other end, The Blues’ appeals for a penalty were dismissed in the 26th minute when Destiny was clearly held back by his shirt while rounding a defender, with his follow up shots being blocked, twice.

The breakthrough finally arrived just after the half hour. Destiny brought a high ball down, took it wide, and whipped a cross into the 6 yard box where Shaun Heselwoodwas perfectly placed to chest the ball past the keeper, giving The Azzurri a deserved lead.

Destiny had more chances and Radz headed wide but the advantage was cancelled out seconds before the break under unfortunate circumstances. A tackle by Gadge inadvertently gave the ball straight back to a Rossington forward, whose resulting cross led to a shot hitting the post. The rebound dropped straight to Rosso’s number 10 for a simple tap in, sending the teams in level at the interval. HT 1-1.

The Azzurri came out after the break determined to restore their lead and did so almost instantly. 72 seconds after the restart, Tom A’s floated corner caused panic in the Rosso box, and the ball eventually dropped to Destiny, who showed great composure to dink it over a defender and into the net.

Robbo kept up the pressure with his run in the 50th minute, unsettling the defence before his two shots were blocked.

The Azzurri back 4 remained obdurate and indefatigable, Jenko and El Binno made some exquisitely executed tackles, Radz was nodding away anything aerial and Gadge’s timely interventions kept his flank very quiet indeed.

Ex-Blue and current Rossington boss Greg Young, a centre half by trade, rolled the dice when he entered the fray as a substitute, by playing up front, trying to impact the game for the visitors.

It was to no avail though as good work from Destiny forced a Rossington handball in the box. Robbo stepped up to coolly dispatch the 73rd minute spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way, to double the advantage.

Robbo almost had a second 2 minutes later, hitting the post after a jinking run. And he was on hand again when Luis AF squared the ball after a blistering run but the keeper clung onto Robbo’s close range attempt.

With the game entering its final stages, Cleggy was brought on for Destiny, and he treated us to a moment of absolute quality in the 87th minute with his second goal off the bench in as many games . A defensive mixup allowed the ball to break to Cleggy and he hit a screamer from the corner of the box, dashing any hopes Rosso might’ve had of a comeback.

In keeping with the end to end nature of the game, there was still time for Rosso to hit the bar from distance and for Cleggy to see one last rasping drive saved in injury time. FT 4-1.

It was an exciting game, a top display, the right result and 3 cherries. It was also our first home league win since August and our biggest home league win since we beat Rosso 4-0 last December. That’s a good day in my book 😉

WEBMASTER MOTM – Solid at the back, with Radz heading away bricks, Gadge, Jenko and El Binno ice cold on the floor, and Sykes with the safe handling of a wide receiver. A delicious mix of creativity and grit in midfield, Heselwood and Spence controlled the engine room. And electric going forward, you didn’t know where to look, Tom A, Robbo, Luis AF, Cleggy were rapier-like in their attacks. But the Glitterball has to go to Destiny. He caused utter chaos in the Rosso defence, they simply couldn’t contain him. Dazzling, Destiny!

TWITTER MOTM – Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua takes it from Shaun Heselwood, Lucas Robinson and Tom Radley. Charlie Clegg also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua was chosen by match ball sponsors Juratek. Well done, Destiny!

234 through the gate. Thank you for coming down to cheer on The Boys in Blue. It’s really, really appreciated!

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

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

To see the goals, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 8th November when we travel to Horbury Town, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD