Frickley Athletic v Winterton Rangers FC

Recap

Frickley 1 Winterton Rangers 0

The Azzurri put in a massive performance to defend Panashe Makwiramiti’s early goal, ensuring it was the only goal of the game. And in doing so, Winterton were condemned to a second successive relegation whilst we virtually guaranteed NCEL Premier Division football at The Wezzie for another season.

In team news, Tom Claisse and Marcel Chipamaunga returned to the starting lineup in place of Jack Cawthorn and Charlie Clegg who both moved to the bench.

It was cagey opening after The Blues got proceedings under way, playing down the hill. But it was the visitors who had the first glimpse of goal when a 4th minute Winterton shot was deflected into the hands of Sykes for a comfortable catch.

On 14 minutes, Tom A found some space on the left, shooting across goal where Panashe Makwiramiti smashed it in at the back post. The opposition complained loud and long that Big Al was offside and had interfered. If so, then that bit of luck has been a long time coming.

Keano’s pass sent Chippy away down the wing in the 25th minute. He crossed to Tom A, who was tussling with a defender, and it flicked off him towards goal but the keeper pounced on it, although I’m not sure that Tom knew much about it. Big Al dragged an attempt wide under heavy pressure from a defender too.

In the 27th minute, Winterton were down to 10 men as the ref showed no hesitation in awarding the number 4 a straight red card for a studs up tackle on Spence.

Around the half hour mark, Winterton had their best chance of the game. A forward galloped away and hit a decent shot, beating Sykes, but it rattled the bar, coming down on the line before bouncing away.

Soon after, a Winterton free kick found a forward in the box but his shot on the turn was blocked.

Big Al had to be replaced by Cleggy in the 32nd minute when he was thrown against the post, injuring his shoulder.

As half time beckoned, Cleggy created a gilt-edged opportunity, squaring for Chippy who saw his firm shot held by the keeper.

Zav had a ping from 30 yards that narrowly cleared the bar. HT 1-0.

Cleggy went close with a diving header from a Zav cross within a minute of the restart.

It then took until the 55th minute before either goal came under threat. A looping Winterton header just dropped the wrong side of the bar for Winterton, landing on the roof of the net.

Both Cleggy and Spence made lung busting runs to charge down one of the keeper’s clearances. Both went out for a goal kick but defending from the front like that kept the ball in the opposition’s half.

Cawthorn was brought on to bolster the back four. In time to see the Winterton number 9 fail to impress the Russian judges with his reverse 3½ somersaults dive in the tuck position. It got him a yellow card for simulation for his trouble.

Spence volleyed over when the ball came out to him from a corner and he hit the side netting when Chippy put him through on goal.

Not to be outdone, Cleggy similarly had a half chance followed by something more clear cut. Tom A lost the ball, but recovered well to win it back. He swung in a dangerous ball but it was nicked off Cleggy’s toe in front of goal. Then Cleggy found a gaping hole in the visitors’ defence with the ball at his feet but stumbled as he was about to pull the trigger.

Winterton went closest to levelling it in the 83rd minute. A nerve-racking (to these eyes) game of penalty box ping pong ended with a close range backheel that forced Sykes to push the ball around the post for a corner.

The man in black found almost 10 minutes of time added on from somewhere. Winterton had to negotiate the last 2 minutes of said extras down to 9 as their number 6 was sin binned after, I suspect, telling the ref what a fine decision he’d just made. FT 1-0.

And breathe. The result was everything. As well as making the drop unavoidable for Winterton, results elsewhere mean that we are 12 points ahead of Goole with 4 to play but with a goal difference that is superior by 47 goals. Safety achieved, mission accomplished, and another chapter is written into the great book of Frickley relegation evasions! Enjoy the highs, comrades…

WEBMASTER MOTM – such an auspicious occasion calls for a freeform acrostic poem to outline why the Glitterball goes to the whole team 😉

Best game in a Blue shirt – RBH.

Looked safe all day – Sykesy.

Unreal stamina – Joel 90.

Exerted late pressure – Gelder.

Sweated blood – Tom A.

All action cameo – Harrison R.

Rolls Royce in defence – Gadge.

Engine room – Keano.

Super sub – Cleggy.

Took it to them – Big Al.

Always in the right place – Zav.

You beauty, what a goal – The PM.

Injury time clearing header – Butch.

Never stopped running – Chippy.

Gaffered it – Tom Claisse.

Unflappable – Jack C.

Perfect day, proper Frickley!

TWITTER MOTM – Every One Of Them takes it from Numbers 1 to 17, The Whole Team and Everybody. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Every one of them was chosen by Ken Whitehead. Well done, all!

265 through the gate. Thank you all for your monumental support when it matters. Legendary!

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

Also, Ella Carr’s Bake Sale raised a remarkable £214 for the club! Huge thanks to Ella and her family, and to everybody who bought cake.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 15th March, when we travel to Hallam, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD