Frickley Athletic v Thackley AFC

Recap

Frickley 3 Thackley 0

The Blues emerged from the ‘ckley’ derby with bragging rights after 3 goals in the last half an hour gave us a hard fought 3-0 triumph over a gritty Thackley side.

On the teamsheet, Luke Walker came into the starting lineup as Wade Ripley moved to the bench along with the returning Lewis Binns.

The first half was like a game of chess with chances at a premium, although we were never bored/board 😉

It took until the 12th minute before either side could winkle out any sort of opportunity. Lloydy almost got round the Thackley keeper but not quite, as said keeper got a fingertip to it.

Around the 20 minute mark, Luke Walker and a Thackley forward had shots inside the box but both keepers held them comfortably.

Then neither team could carve out anything definitive until the last 7 or 8 minutes of the half. Thackley got the ball past Bradders, acting as sweeper keeper, but couldn’t get any power behind it and the defence picked it up well before goal. And Lloydy flashed a free kick just wide at the other end. HT 0-0.

The second period started in much the same vein as most of the first.

On the hour, Townrow flicked on a free kick but Keano’s free header was a tame one. Then Big Al found a yard and got clear but hit the legs of the advancing keeper.

Thackley blazed a couple of shots over, worrying the donkeys on the allotment rather more than they did Bradders.

But in the 66th minute, it all changed as The Azzurri nicked a lead. Lloydy and Big Al played a one-two before Lloydy squared to Haighy. Haighy hit the bar and Sky Walker snapped up the rebound to score his first goal in his first start for the club and his home debut.

The visitors came back at The Boys in Blue, firing inches past the angle of the goal and poking a couple of attempts wide but they were adjudged to be offside anyway.

With little more than two minutes of the 90 left, Big Al fed Big Ank, he slipped the ball to Lloydy and his shot was deflected out for a corner. It looked like a big chance to put the game to bed had gone begging but then Keegan Townrow almost burst the net as he headed in from Lloydy’s inch perfect corner.

8 minutes into time added on, and Rieves Boocock, on as sub, copied Keegan with a bullet header of his own, but from a Lloyd Smith free kick this time, to give the scoreline a more flattering look. FT 3-0.

If you’d offered me a point before the game, I’d have ripped your arm off. Note to self – believe. As it was, the final tale of the tape was 0 goals conceded, 1 warrior-like performance, 3 quality goals scored and 3 cherries. What. A. Day!

WEBMASTER MOTM – another tough as teak showing by the entire team. Every player – Lloydy, Sky Walker, BMDub, Keegs, Big Al, Bradders, Keano, The Colonel, Haighy, The Elk, Jamesy and the subs, El Binno, Rievesy, Cal Proctor, Rip and Big Ank – we see you! And you can add the lads who are out at the mo like Varls and Jake H. Each and every one a vital cog in what is starting to look like a well-oiled machine. However, they don’t pay me the big bucks to sit on the fence, so I’m giving The Glitterball to Lloyd Smith. He oozed creativity every time he touched the ball and his set pieces were sublime. Luminescent, Lloydy!

TWITTER MOTM – Luke Sky Walker takes it from Lloyd Smith, Keegan Townrow, Brandon Murillo, Josh Haigh, Big Al Keita, Keanan Mannings and Morgan James. Thanks to all who voted. May the force be with you, Luke!

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Lloyd Smith and Luke Walker were jointly chosen by Alex Varley. Well done, boys!

176 through the gate. Thank you for your super support, you created one hell of an atmosphere!

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

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 14th November when we are back at The Wezzie again as high flying Emley are our visitors, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

STAT ATTACK:

That was the first time we have kept a clean sheet in 3 consecutive league games since October 2019.

That was the first time we’ve won 5 consecutive games (in all competitions) since April 2018.