Golcar United FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Golcar United 3 Frickley 0

The Azzurri put in a spirited performance in this our penultimate game of 2024/25 but were undone by clinical finishing as Golcar secured a 3-0 victory, striking at key moments to seal the result.

There were 3 changes to the teamsheet from Saturday as Zav Elkin Sheppard, and the 2 Lukes, Hinsley and Williams, started in place of Jack Cawthorn, Marcel Chipamaunga and Panashe Makwiramiti who were all unavailable.

The Blues started positively, with Willo testing the keeper from range in the 4th minute, but it was the hosts who struck first.

In the 7th minute, a ball over the top bypassed the Frickley defense, allowing a Golcar forward to run on and finish from a tight angle.

Frickley almost hit back in the 13th minute when Hinsley robbed a defender, rounded the keeper, but saw his shot deflected wide after the ball got caught under his feet.

The Blues continued to push, with Hinsley and Rowley combining to set up Tom A, whose powerful drive was pushed away.

Golcar had further chances of their own, hitting a bouncing shot wide and heading off target, while Sykes produced a solid save in the 26th minute.

However, the home side doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when a heavy touch from their forward somehow stayed in play, allowing him to backheel it to a teammate, who crossed for another onrushing attacker to tap in from a few yards out.

The Blues kept battling, but Golcar blazed over just before the break, and the Blues went in trailing 2-0 at the break. HT 2-0.

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Rowley broke down the wing and crossed, Willo met it well, but his shot smacked against the post, another sign that luck wasn’t on our side.

At the other end, Sykes was called into action again in the 53rd minute, reacting brilliantly to keep out a deflected cross from Gagen.

The Blues had more half chances, Rowley rolled a shot just wide after a surging run, and Willo and Tom A used their pace to get in behind but their efforts were deflected away, and saved, respectively.

But just as Frickley looked to get back into the game, Golcar struck again. After hitting the post in the 65th minute, they capitalized a minute later, heading home from a free kick to make it 3-0.

There was a Frickley first team debut for George Blaydes (on for Tom A) and Wilfey Woodham made his second first team appearance (replacing an injured Luke Hinsley).

In the final 10 minutes, Sykes had to pounce on a Golcar header from a corner and made another good save in time added on to prevent further damage.  FT 3-0.

We definitely gave ‘em a game and we weren’t 3 goals worse than them but we were left ruing missed chances, as the hosts’ struck at crucial times. We’ve got one more chance to show what we can do this season and, based on this showing, we won’t be far off.

WEBMASTER MOTM – we went toe to tow with our oppos in a determined display. Gagen, Keano and Harry Alexander were steadfast in the face of an incisive attack. Ruby and Spence were combative in the engine room. Luke Hinsley was a menacing presence up top whilst Tom A and Willo were decided lively going forward. And Blaydes and Woodham represented the Young Azzurri soundly. However, the Glitterball goes to Harrison Rowley. He took the game to Golcar and repeatedly got in behind the back four in his best performance in a blue shirt. Huzzah, Hazza!

TWITTER MOTM – Joel Spence takes it from Harrison Rowley, Keanan Mannings and Luke Williams. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Harrison Rowley was chosen by Mark Ainge. Well done, Harrison!

309 through the gate, with a goodly following from the Royal Borough of South Elmsall. Thank you for travelling all that way on a school night to support the team, the lads really do appreciate it!

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

Please note that we have no game this Saturday but The Blues are next in action on Saturday 5th April, when we travel to Penistone Church for our final game of the season, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there, one last time in 2024/25….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD