Recap

Frickley 2 Wombwell Town 0

Wombwell Town, already relegated earlier in the week and rooted to the foot of the table, had only pride to play for in this Friday night derby. The Blues, meanwhile, knew that 3 points would haul them up the standings and put real daylight between themselves and the relegation scrap. By full time, Les Bleus had done exactly that.

On 2 minutes, The Blues produced the first half chance when Kilner put in a cross, though it carried too much weight to trouble the visitors.

Wombwell responded on 8 minutes, a foray forward ending with a shot that was promptly charged down by the Boys in Blue.

The Azzurri almost struck in the 12th minute. Kilner floated a super ball over the top for Lindley, who raced clear but dragged his finish narrowly wide of the far post.

Les Bleus kept probing. In the 17th minute, Robbo bulldozed his way through the Wombwell back line and squared for Tom A. His effort was parried, the ball recycled through Robbo again, and Andrew arrived to poke the follow up just wide.

An attritional spell followed, broken on 38 minutes when Viggars flicked on a long throw from Tom A, only for the keeper to gather.

3 minutes later, a Wombwell player collapsed theatrically under minimal contact, and Price was harshly booked for his part in the incident.

Right on the stroke of half time, Tom A nudged the ball to Viggars, who spun his marker with a slick Cruyff turn but lashed his shot wide of the target.

The interval arrived with the score goalless, though The Blues had unquestionably carried the greater threat. HT 0-0.

Whatever The Gaffer said in the dressing room had the desired effect, paying almost instant dividends. On 51 minutes, Price was clipped, it looked to be inside the area, but the ref awarded a free kick on the edge of the box instead. No matter as Andrew stepped up and whipped a superb curling strike into the bottom corner to give The Azzurri a deserved lead.

Wombwell briefly stirred when, 4 minutes later, they were gifted a soft free kick, and looping header hit the bar before the rebound was somehow nodded over from 2 yards out with the goal gaping.

Barely a minute after that escape, Lindley almost burst through again, only to have the ball nicked off his toe at the decisive moment.

Just before the hour mark, Robbo was brought down on the edge of the box. Andrew tried his luck again from the dead ball, but this time his attempt thudded into the wall.

On 65 minutes, Tom A produced excellent defensive work to clear after Wombwell pressure, then surged forward only to see his shot blocked after some nice interplay with Robbo.

Sam Cable entered the fray in the 66th minute, replacing Tom A.

The substitution proved inspired. In the 69th minute, Cable latched onto a ball over the top, smashed a fierce drive goalwards, and although the keeper got hands to it, he could only palm it into his own net, doubling the Blue advantage.

Wombwell’s misery continued on 72 minutes when a loose ball fell kindly for them in front of goal, only to be ballooned high over the bar. It was an effort befitting a side enduring its 27th league match without a win, and preserved The Azzurri’s clean sheet, our first in 15 games.

Carmody replaced Price, and Cleggy came on for Andrew as The Blues managed the closing stages with calmness and control. FT 2-0.

1 cleano, 2 neat goals, and 3 massive points! Against local rivals, under the lights, and with the pressure on, the Boys in Blue delivered, with the victory lifting The Azzurri up 4 places to 11th, 9 points clear of the relegation zone. A derby night done right.

WEBMASTER MOTM – the fluency wasn’t quite there but the result was everything, we simply found a way to win. Liam Love and Sam Kilner pushed on well, while the 2 Harries, Viggers and Gagen, kept things tight down the middle. Will Sykes never really looked like he was getting anything other than the 10th clean sheet of his Frickley career. Charlie Price, Josh Lindley and Tom Alngohuru were determined. And Elliott Andrew and Sam Cable took their goals brilliantly. However, the Glitterball goes jointly to Lucas Robinson and Joel Spence. Robbo was virtually unplayable and the Skip celebrated extending his contract for another season by owning the engine room, as usual. Bang tidy, brothers!

TWITTER MOTM – Lucas Robinson takes it from Joel Spence, Josh  Lindley and Harry Viggars. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Lucas Robinson was chosen by Ty Jowett of Pixel Photography. Well done, Robbo!

305 through the gate. We thank you for coming out on a Friday night to support The Blues. Your support makes it all worthwhile!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Martin Woolford, click here.

To see the full photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here.

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 24th March when Sheffield are or visitors to The Wezzie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD