Recap

Frickley 1 SJR Worksop 0

(Sheffield Cup)

The Blues booked their place in the next round of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup with a narrow, hard fought 1-0 win over SJR Worksop at The Wezzie. Cody Collins’ second half free kick proved decisive on a night when The Blues had to work relentlessly to finally see off, and keep off,  our plucky opponents from two steps below.

The Blues set the tone early, as Spence’s 5th minute strike was blocked after neat build up play. Soon after, Destiny and Garrick caused mild panic on the edge of the SJR box, winning a corner that the visiting goalkeeper struggled to deal with, flapping away under pressure.

Destiny looked lively throughout the half, steaming in on 18 minutes only to be denied by a last ditch toe poke, and Spence saw another effort held shortly after.

Amid the pressure came a slightly surreal moment as play was briefly halted due to a drone hovering over the pitch.

Azzurri appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears when Tom A was bundled over inside the box, before Collins unleashed a rising effort from range that just cleared the bar. At the other end, Sykes was called into action on 40 minutes, catching calmly from a rare SJR shot.

Destiny twice tested the keeper before the break, first with an angled drive on 42 minutes, then again in stoppage time when his effort from the edge of the box was pushed away, only for Kilner’s shot on the rebound to be blocked. Despite dominating territory and chances, it was level at the break. HT 0-0.

The second period began much as the first had ended: Destiny breaking into the area but the ball was smothered by the keeper. Then in the 54th minute, Sam Kilner unleashed a thunderous 25 yard volley that cannoned back off the crossbar.

The Boys in Blue survived a scare as a defensive mix up presented SJR with a sight of goal, only for Sykes to race off his line and make a superb tackle.

Just before the hour, Destiny threatened again, going one on one with the keeper but after seeing his first effort saved, he could only fire the loose ball into the side netting.

Changes followed, with Destiny and Butch being replaced by Shear and Sam Cable, making his first appearance of the season after returning from injury. Within minutes, the breakthrough came. Cable was scythed down on 67 minutes, and up stepped Collins. The centre half delivered in style, sticking the free kick right in the top corner.

The Blues thought they had doubled their lead on 73 minutes when TK bundled in from a Kilner corner, the referee initially awarding the goal, only to consult with the liner and mysteriously chalk it off.

The biggest cheer of the night soon followed as El Binno made his long awaited return from injury, coming on for his first Blues appearance since 27th January 2024.

Frickley had another penalty shout waved away when Tom A was again barged over in the box, while Robbo went close with a shot, swept wide across the face of goal.

SJR, however, grew into the game late on, netting a disallowed goal for offside and carving out chances on the break. The visitors looked certain to level in the closing stages, a missed handball in midfield sparked a break that ended with a shot rolling inches. past the post, before Sykes produced two vital late saves, standing firm to preserve the clean sheet. FT 1-0.

Job done – safe passage into the next round, a cleano, no cards, no injuries. An honourable mention for our valiant visitors too. And Martyn Woolford – 100% win record as manager, what a legend!

WEBMASTER MOTM – we played some nice football and had the upper hand for over 3 quarters of the game. Just need to make that dominance count with more goals and we’re sorted. Standouts included Destiny who was lively and a constant threat, testing the defence, Sam Kilner, a driving force and almost got a goal, and Sam Cable, his cameo ultimately lead to the decisive goal by winning the free kick. But the Glitterball goes to jointly to Cody Collins, the matchwinner with his Beckham-esque free kick, and Will Sykes, his crucial stops secured the win and the clean sheet. Wunderbar, Will-Co!

TWITTER MOTM – Cody Collins takes it from Will Sykes and Tom Alngohuru, Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua. Sam Kilner also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Will Sykes was chosen by Chris Hawkins. Well done, Sykesy!

115 through the gate. Thank you for your dedicated support during these tricky times!

To hear the thoughts of the caretaker gaffer, Martyn Woolford, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 27th September when we travel to Sheffield FC, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD