Frickley Athletic v Stocksbridge Park Steels

Recap

Frickley 0 Stocksbridge Park Steels 2

(Sheffield Cup)

The weather definitely huffed and puffed and , after an early setback, so did The Blues a little bit as well, as visitors Stocksbridge edged into the semi finals with a goal in each half.

Lots of shuffling of the pack for this one as Keanan Mannings, Josh Haigh, Matty Hughes and Luke Walker came in for El Binno, Brandon Murillo, Wade Ripley and Rieves Boocock. All bar Rip (who is injured) moved to the bench where Isaac Jeffreys and Zak Kersey joined them.

In the 4th minute, SPS had an early advantage with a controversial goal. A long ball into the Frickley box found an SPS forward, who managed to get a toe on it. The resulting shot looped towards goal, and despite Bradders pushing it out, it had already crossed the line. The liner signalled offside. However, the referee inexplicably awarded the goal, leaving The Azzurri and us in the stands perplexed, to put it politely.

As the first half continued to unfold, Bradders demonstrated his goalkeeping prowess with several crucial saves. In the 11th minute, Bradders held his ground in the face of an SPS shot and he made 2 more super stops in the next 10 minutes before SPS gave him a break and shinned one wide.

Hughesy’s wormburner that went wide in the 12th minute was the best of it for The Blues.

The 28th minute saw Bradders making another impressive save, this time with his feet, denying SPS an opportunity to extend their lead.

The Azzurri’s chance of the game came on the half hour when Richard Collier’s cross was headed at goal by Luke Walker, but the keeper stuck out a paw to push it away.

The first half concluded with Bradders punching away a wind-assisted free kick, and at the other end, Lloydy’s low cross, following sterling work by Hughesy, went unrewarded. HT 0-1.

The second half wasn’t without incident but took a quarter of an hour before anything clear cut materialised for either side.

So it was that Hughesy’s decent run, just before the hour, lead to him squaring to Lloydy in a good position but the infamous Wezzie bobble did its worst just as he was about to pull the trigger. Chance gone.

SPS extended their lead and effectively killed the game off in the 63rd minute with second goal.

Bradders continued his great performance with a double save with his legs, pushing a shot over the bar and clawing away a rasping drive.

With 10 minutes to go, Floating Haighy’s floated in a shot from 30-odd yards, forcing the opposing keeper to go to ground to pouch it.

And in time added on, Keegan Townrow was making a nuisance of himself in the SPS box, and his shot necessitated that the keeper got down quickly near the base of the post to save. But that was as close as we came before the final whistle. FT 0-2.

Going in at the turnaround at only a goal down when the wind was behind the opposition, literally and possibly metaphorically too, was a big positive. However, in the second period we simply didn’t crack on. But, as ever, we go again next time.

WEBMASTER MOTM – no one was anything less than wholehearted but higher level opposition played the conditions better and made the most of any chinks in the armour. Keegan, Varls and Haighy were honest in their endeavours, Morgan James, Sky Walker and Hughesy were having a go. But the Glitterball has to go to Callum Bradbury. As young keepers go, this lad is different gravy. I’m running out of superlatives for one who doesn’t turn 18 until later this week. Bellissimo, Bradders!

TWITTER MOTM – Callum Bradbury takes it from Keegan Townrow, Josh Haigh and Matty Hughes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Callum Bradbury was chosen by Christi Medwell, with a special mention for Matty Hughes too. Well done, Bradders!

126 through the gate. Thanks for coming out and supporting your local club on such a blowy evening!

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

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 27th January, here at The Wezzie, when Hallam are our visitors for a 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there…

#forzafrickley