Recap

Frickley 2 Rossington Main 2

(Sheffield Cup – Rossington win 7-6 on pens)

The Blues mounted a spirited second half comeback after a shaky start as they drew 2 apiece with Rossington Main. However, a 7-6 penalty shootout win broke Azzurri hearts and sent the visitors into the next round of the Sheffield Senior Cup.

The game started the quite evenly. On 4 minutes, Andrew nearly latched onto a through ball, only for a defender to nick it off his toe at the last moment. Moments later, a defensive slip at the other end gifted Rossington a sight of goal, but Sykes gathered comfortably.

Robbo went close on 9 minutes, spinning outside the area and firing just over. But the game was turned on its head over the course of 2 minutes.

First, in the 10th minute, a Rosso cross found an unmarked attacker inside the 6 yard box who headed home. And 2 minutes on, the Rosso number 11 was afforded too much space on the edge of the box and placed a neat low effort into the bottom corner.

Things settled for a time until Sykesy kept The Blues in it with a spectacular 29th minute triple save, before Tom A forced the keeper to fingertip the ball over at the opposite end a minute later.

The Frickley rhythm was further disrupted as Luis Af pulled up and had to be replaced by Keyghobadi. Rossington still threatened, firing over on 40 minutes, and The Blues went into the break with work to do.

HT 0-2.

Frickley came out with renewed purpose. On 52 minutes, the Rossington keeper tipped Keyghobadi’s fierce strike over, and from the resulting corner, the comeback began as El Binno rose to head home to reduce the deficit.

Barely a minute later, Sykesy was called into action again, producing another fine stop to keep the gap at 1.

Andrew blasted over on the hour as The Blues continued to push for an equaliser. In the 73rd minute, Robbo teed up Tom A, who could only shoot over. But persistence paid off. On 76 minutes, Robbo drove into the box and was hauled down. He took responsibility for the penalty himself and smashed it in to level the match.

Woolly replaced Andrew as The Boys in Blue searched for the winner, and nearly had it when Tom A’s lung busting run ended with a cross to Woolly but his finish was lifted agonisingly over the bar in the 88th minute.

Rossington thought they had snatched it at the death, but their 90th minute “goal” was ruled out for a misdemeanour.

Robbo then danced through the Rosso defence in stoppage time only to be dispossessed at the crucial moment, and Radz saw a header from a corner headed off the line.

The ref’s whistle then signalled the need for penalties to decide the tie. FT 2-2.

Rossington stepped up first in a long, tense, marathon shootout of 22 spot kicks. The momentum swung repeatedly with both sides missing out on earlier opportunities to win it as they endured misses, kicks crashed against the bar and keepers making fine stops. In the end it was the unfortunate Will Sykes, who was hobbling as a result of an injury, that saw his kick saved to hand Rossington a 7-6 victory, and The Blues a frustrating defeat after a much improved second half display.

Penalty Summary:
Rossington:

⚽️⚽️ ❌⚽️ ❌⚽️⚽️⚽️ ❌ ❌⚽️

Frickley:

⚽️ ❌ ❌⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ ❌ ❌ ❌

It was the scrappy opening quarter of an hour that left us chasing the game, but the fightback was outstanding, showing plenty of promise heading into the rest of season. That’s 6 games unbeaten now, in normal time at least. Then there was penalties – they’re a lottery and there’s no shame in losing what is largely a game of chance.

WEBMASTER MOTM – losing on pennos is always gutting but coming back from 2-0 down with a much changed side to actually get to a shootout was a real achievement. El Binno’s header sparked the revival, and Robbo’s calm penalty drew us level. And Shayan Keyghobadi and Tom A were equally crucial. But the Glitterball goes to Will Sykes. Playing through the pain barrier (as it stands, he’ll be out for a couple of games or so), it was his saves that kept us alive. Superb, Sykesy!

TWITTER MOTM – Lucas Robinson takes it from Will Sykes, Shayan Keyghobadi and Tom Alngohuru. Thanks to all who voted.

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

123 through the gate. Your prolonged support on a bitter evening is priceless. And a big thank you for stopping out so late on a school night too!

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 matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 22nd November when we travel to Knaresborough Town, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD