Frickley Athletic v Stocksbridge Park Steels

Recap

This wasn’t on the excellent pre-match playlist, but its subject matter sums up the Frickley performance better than this clodhopper of a report.

Frickley had to reshuffle as Nathan Hotte, Oli Valentine & Jake Scott were all ineligible to play in this round & Tom Davie, Paul Sherburn & Sam Cable came into the starting 11.

Frickleys first half was terrific – they controlled the ball & pressured SPS when they didn’t have the ball & put together great passing movement. Brad Wells ‘scored’ early on but it was ruled out for offside. Even the early loss of red hot Currie didn’t spoil the shape & shortly after Jonny Margs strode onto a defence splitting pass & stroked it home. The same player thundered the woodwork from a free kick & 10 minutes later it was 2 nil . Good play by Strictly Sherbs & Jonny Margs set up Sam Cable & he did the rest.

Haze had a number of good chances in the first half which would have put the game to bed before half time & the ref would have ended the contest had it been a boxing match.

2nd half was a completely different kettle of vegan fish – we looked tired & disjointed & our passing game suffered. SPS took full advantage & scored twice in 2 minutes just before the half hour. It was only a masterclass from Tom Jackson that kept the score at parity.

Brad Wells created a good change for himself at the death but the game ended 2-2.

Straight to penners & we all know what that means – The Azzurri haven’t won a penalty shoot out at home since we beat Droylsden 4-3 on pens in an FA Trophy 1st round replay in 2001.

But Davie, Holli, Haze, Margs & Sam Cable were all successful & Tom kept one of theirs out & was very unlucky with another & we won 5-3 on pens

WEBMASTER MOTM – despite being unfamiliar, the back 4 were strong throughout. The front 3 were a handful in the first half but slightly lost their way a bit in the 2nd. But I’ve giving the Glitterball to Tom Jackson as he is the main reason that we are still in this competition (we play Swinton at home in the quarter finals)

TWITTER POLL MOTM – thank you to everyone who voted. It’s a double for Tom, who was ahead of Tyler, with Todd Jordan & Tom Davie also polling votes.

Thanks to all who turned out on a damp, cold, miserable evening – very much appreciated

Next up we are away to Chasetown on Saturday – hopefully plenty of you can make the trip to get behind the boys