Recap

Frickley 0-3 Tadcaster Albion

The Blues slipped to a third consecutive defeat in all competitions in a week. The 3-0 scoreline against the table toppers told its own story, but in truth the game was tighter than the result suggested. The Azzurri carved out a number of chances and worked hard throughout, yet lacked the spark and ruthlessness needed to change the outcome.

Frickley began positively and almost made the perfect start inside 3 minutes. Destiny wriggled into space and pulled the trigger, but his effort was deflected wide of the goal.

That early intent set the tone, but it was Tadcaster who struck first. On 20 minutes, the ball dropped kindly for the visiting number 10, who took a snapshot from 20 yards. The shot arrowed through a crowd of bodies and into the net, giving Sykes little chance.

The goal gave Tadcaster confidence, and they pushed on with a couple of half chances, a lofted effort over the bar from a corner and a teasing low cross flicked wide.

Los Azules responded in kind as Kilner produced a fantastic run down the flank, pulling the ball back for Destiny, whose two quickfire attempts were smothered by defenders. Woolly then went close with a wormburner that rolled narrowly wide of the post.

Just as The Blues looked to be growing into the game, misfortune struck. 5 minutes before the interval, Tadcaster’s number 10 spotted Sykes off his line and attempted the audacious from inside his own half, pinging the ball over the retreating keeper and into the net for his and his side’s second of the evening.

With maybe not a mountain but a considerable hill to climb, Destiny blazed over as Les Bleus looked to respond, and a tricky Tingle corner caused the opposing keeper problems, before a foul halted the attack, but half time arrived with Taddy two goals to the good. HT 0-2.

The Blues came out with renewed energy after the break, yet were dealt another blow just 7 minutes in. A well delivered Taddy set piece was met with a decent header that flew into the bottom corner.

The considerable hill was now a Munro, But De Blauwen continued to fight. Gagen went close on 67 minutes, rising to meet Jenko’s cross but directing his header straight into the keeper’s hands under the bar. Destiny remained a threat, bursting forward in the 75th minute before teeing up Robbo, only for his effort on goal to be rapidly closed down. Shortly after, there were appeals for a penalty when a Tadcaster defender appeared to handle, but the referee waved play on to Frickley frustration.

At the other end, Collins recovered brilliantly from his own error to produce a superb last ditch tackle inside the box to prevent further damage. And Sykes showed smart reflexes to deny a close range shot.

Taddy squandered a late chance, driving high and wide from a promising position, but by then the game was already beyond reasonable doubt.

The Azzurri pressed until the final whistle, Destiny again involved as he was poleaxed near the halfway line in the closing stages, though the resulting free kick came to nothing. It summed up a night where effort was never in question but where little fell our way. FT 0-3.

It was a frustrating evening for The Boys in Blue because other than the goals there was little between the sides but the visitors kept things simple, did the basics right, and defended solidly. For The Blues, we competed well in open play, matched Taddy for long spells, and created enough to have scored. Yet football is often decided by moments, and Tadcaster took theirs. We’ll regroup, and as ever, we’ll go again!

A word for the ref here, other than missing a possible penno, I didn’t notice him and he didn’t change the result – the highest compliments there are for a ref. See? I do notice when they get it right(ish).

WEBMASTER MOTM – No lack of endeavour, just need that extra modicum of killer instinct in front of goal. There was little the defence could do about the first 2 goals, and Gagen, Collins and Kilner remained stolid for the duration. Destiny and Lucas Robinson were tireless going forward, and the midfield kept the engine room ticking over. And Luis AF and Butch were both welcome introductions from the bench. But the Glitterball goes to Will Jenkinson. Tough as teak, never put a foot wrong and looked like he cared deeply. Just the job, Jenko!

TWITTER MOTM – Harry Gagen takes it from Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua, Will Jenkinson and Lucas Robinson. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua was chosen by Richard Hill. Well done, Destiny!

165 through the gate. Thank you for your loyal support on nights like these.

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

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 30th August when we travel to Penistone Church, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD