Frickley Athletic v Tadcaster Albion AFC

Recap

Frickley 0 Tadcaster Albion 0

There’s characters in the Harry Potter series of films called Stan, Tonks and Potter (obvs). Our own new interim management team of Stan, Tonks and Potter brought their own brand of wizardry as The Azzurri went all Order of the Phoenix, rising from the flames of the Penistone game to grind out a goalless draw.

Lloydy and Varls returned to the starting lineup in place of the injured Townrow and Boocock who moved to the bench along with Josh Hague and Josh Smith, both newly signed from the U23s.

It was a cagey affair from the off and took until the 15th minute before a chance worthy of the name. Big Al hooked a shot at goal after receiving the ball from a free kick but there was no power in it.

The gusty wind wasn’t conducive of anything aerial and Hollywood balls were out of the question. The best football was being played on the deck, such as a nice move involving Collier, Lloydy and Big Al but no shot was forthcoming. And Lloydy fed Jamesy but the ball got caught under his feet.

The half remained cut and thrust but without any breakthroughs. However, just before the interval, Jamesy was on the receiving end of some cut, thrust and breakthrough when one of the visitors attempted to amputate a leg but only a yellow card was awarded. HT 0-0.

Reinvigorated by their half time Jaffas, the first quarter of an hour were action packed by the standards of the game.

Taddy flashed a shot across goal and, at the other end, Walker’s wormburner was comfortably saved.

Taddy got a sniff of goal when a forward gained half a yard on his marker, shooting narrowly wide. And on the hour Big Al almost guided a cross past the keeper with a cute flick but it was scrambled away.

Much of the rest of the game was a defensive object lesson with both back fours as the stars of the show. The closest either side came to breaking the deadlock came in the very last minute. Bradders was equal to it though, making one of his trademark stops with his feet when the opposing forward hit a low angled shot at goal.

Thus it finished honours even, which seemed a fair result. FT 0-0.

We saw a battling display to take a point and to keep a first clean sheet in 20 (twenty!) league games. If you can’t win then don’t lose. I bloody loved it!

WEBMASTER MOTM – that was a proper Frickley performance, full of grit and determination. Not one single player failed to play their part. Bradders kept us in it with a last minute save, Lloydy looked as good as he has in a few games, Varls and Jake H were solid, and Sky Walker was as combative as ever. The Elk and was alive to any chances to get forward.  The midfield trio of Jamesy, Groverider and The Colonel were excellent, personifying the dogged refusal to be beaten. And Zak Kersey’s cameo from the bench continued the good work of those who went before. But the Glitterball goes to Brandon Murillo. He was outstanding and some of his last ditch tackles were breathtaking. Bellissimo, BMDub!

TWITTER MOTM – Richard Collier takes it from Brandon Murillo, Jake Hemingway and Morgan James. Rylee Grove, Zav Elkin and Callum Bradbury also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Richard Collier was chosen by Mick Holmes. Well done Colonel!

223 through the gate. Thanks for braving the blustery conditions to give The Blues your unwavering support!

To hear the thoughts of 2 of the gaffers, John Stancliffe and Rob Tonks, click here.

To see Craig Dinsdale’s excellent photo gallery from the game, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 26th March, when we host Campion in the JCP Construction NCEL League Cup quarter final, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there…

#forzafrickley

#FFTD