Frickley Athletic v Tadcaster Albion AFC

Recap

Frickley 0 Tadcaster Albion 1

After a Blues performance that deserved more, a very fortunate late goal for the visitors, along with some extremely controversial decisions from the officials, saw us denied any reward from our last home fixture of 2024.

The starting XI was unchanged from last week’s victory over Rossington, while Rowley, Booth and Haighy joined the bench.

For the opening quarter of an hour there was nowt significant to tell, each side probing for weaknesses.

Then Gilly played it out wide to Tommo and he swung a ball in towards Spence but the ball was nicked off his toes in the box.

A tricky ball over the top forced the keeper to come out to collect it, just beating Chippy to it.

Near the half hour, a clearly offside Taddy forward was allowed to run onto a through ball but HDH got down well to push the shot away.

On 35 minutes, a looping ball was sent towards Big Al on the edge of the box but the defender leapt like Michael Jordan to blatantly palm the ball away – more NBA than NCEL. Big Al retrieved it and netted as cool as Frosty the Snowman. However, the ref was unable to tell the difference between the defender’s arm and that of Big Al, so signalled handball against Al. We really must get those new floodies sorted!!

Taddy had a chance, 2 minutes before the break, lobbing over the bar when they should probably have done better.

In time added on, Big Al broke clear, dinked the ball over the onrushing keeper but the shot rolled wide. HT 0-0.

The second half was less than 20 seconds old when Big Al carried on where he left off, getting the afterburners on before shooting but his effort cannoned off the post.

In the 63rd minute, Taddy intercepted a backpass, then tried to lob HDH but he got a touch, the ball looped goalwards, bounced, and landed on top of the bar, going out for a corner.

From said corner, the ball was cleared to Tommo but as he sped down the wing, the Taddy fullback went full on Jonah Lomu, diving to rugby tackle Tommo. Yellow card awarded.

HDH showed his skills as a sweeper keeper, charging out to chest the ball away.

Sub Harrison Rowley went on a scorching run but his shot was deflected wide. And Taddy headed well wide at the other end.

With just over 10 minutes to go,  Cleggy came on as sub to make his 50th appearance for Frickley. Congrats, CC!

In the 85th minute, Cleggy chased down what had looked like a lost cause before pulling the ball back. A Frickley boot connected, the ball crossed the line and was slapped away by a Taddy hand. Seen by all 173 paying attendees, missed by all 3 officials. Words fail me.

Needless to say, Taddy took the ball into the Frickley half and the right back shanked a cross as it bobbled and it floated over HDH, into the net. A brawl ensued when Taddy decided to run to celebrate in front of The Azzurri bench and clattered into one of the management. Unsurprisingly, only 2 yellow cards were shown, both to the wrong people. FT 0-1.

Last week, I paid the officials the highest possible compliment after the game, telling them I hadn’t noticed them. I didn’t do that on this occasion. So it is that despite being the better side, we were robbed of a result. We have to stay positive though, we are playing a competitive brand of football and, crucially, we’re creating good chances.

WEBMASTER MOTM – I could honestly make a decent case for any of those Boys in Blue. It took an outrageous fluke to beat HDH. Butch, RBH and The Elk were Scrooge-like at the back. Joel 90 and Keano were stars in the engine room. Tommo, Chippy and Gilly were 3 kings up top. And on another day, with another set of officials too, Big Al could’ve been on the nice list and had 3 or 4 goals. But I’m giving the Glitterball to Jack Cawthorn. JC was Quality (Street) as he shepherded away the danger. Sleighing it, Jack!

TWITTER MOTM – Joel Spence takes it from Big Al Keita, Jack Cawthorn and Niall Butchart. Harrison Davison-Hale and ‘All of them, I think they were robbed’ (not written by me!) also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Jack Cawthorn was chosen by the media team. Well done, JC!

173 through the gate, thank you for ditching the Christmas shopping to come to The Wezzie to support The Blues!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Tom Claisse, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 21st December, when we travel to Thackley, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD