Frickley Athletic v Silsden AFC

Recap

Frickley 2 Silsden 0

Two goals in as many minutes at the end of the first half carried The Blues to a deserved win against a good Silsden side who were also looking for a third league win on the bounce.

The strong bench allowed the Gaffer to carry out a bit of rotation, bringing in Richard Collier and Josh Haigh for Mick Jones and Big Al Keita.

There was an early flurry of shots and corners for Silsden, but the Blue defence stood firm.

In the 8th minute, Silsden’s keeper got his fingertips to Rieves Boocock’s low shot, set up by good interplay between Morgan James and Lloyd Smith.

At the other end, Callum Bradbury tipped a long shot onto the crossbar then made another smart save from the resulting corner.

Silsden had the edge for the next 20 minutes or so, going close with 3 or 4 efforts on goal.

Just as we were all thinking about our half time oranges, The Boys in Blue emphatically took the upper hand.

In the 44th minute, Keanan Mannings played a slick one-two with The Colonel then stuck an angled shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Two minutes later, Lloydy scuffed his shot but the loose ball was picked up by the ever alert Haighy. He took it to the byline before playing in a looping cross to the back post for Keegan Townrow to head in, under heavy challenges, from all of 2 feet out. HT 2-0.

After the break, The Azzurri understandably looked the more comfortable side for the first 25 minutes and might’ve extended the lead with a little more composure in front of goal.

Haighy had a pair of 1-on-1s with the keeper, stopped both times by said custodian’s legs, and a header over the bar.

On the hour, Lloydy squared to Boocock and he stung the keeper’s palms from 15 yards out.

The visitors redoubled their efforts in an attempt to get something out of the game, having several attempts on goal from range that went narrowly wide.

With just under 10 minutes to play, Bradders made his best save of the game, a Jennings-esque stop with his legs from a glancing header.

In time added on, the Silsden keeper put in his own entry for save of the game as he tipped The Colonel’s brilliant free kick around the post. FT 2-0

A solid performance, confident game management, a second cleano and a third league win on the trot. Stat attack – that was the first time we’ve achieved 2 consecutive clean sheets or 3 consecutive wins in the league since January 2020!

WEBMASTER MOTM – the Gaffer said that in training they’ve been working on staying calm in pressure situations. It showed. Everyone was ice cold in taking the three cherries. Bradders kept us in the game at times, Jake H, The Elk and Keegs were on point, Keanan, Jamesy and The Colonel were combative, and Haighy, Rieves and Lloydy were a constant threat. But the Glitterball goes to Alex Varley. He marshalled the defence magnificently and he was metronomic heading away and clearing the decks. Viva, Varls!

TWITTER MOTM – Alex Varley takes it from Jake Hemingway, Callum Bradbury and Keegan Townrow. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – awarded jointly to Jake Hemingway and Alex Varley, chosen by Terry McCroakam. Well done fellas! (And young supporter Jacob Wray features on the accompanying picture for the second time in a week after his mum took the superb photo of him with joint motm Jake H).

167 through the gate. Thank you for your unwavering support!

To hear the thoughts of the manager, Pat McGuire, click here.

The Blues are next in action at Westfield Lane on Saturday, 26th August, when Barnton are our visitors, 3pm kickoff, in the FA Vase First Round Qualifying. Hope to see you all there….

***Please note that Tuesday’s game at Goole has been postponed due to their involvement in a FA Cup replay***

#forzafrickley