Recap

Hallam 2 Frickley 0

Bedecked in mint green and freed from the threat of relegation, The Blues went toe-to toe with 2nd placed Hallam. Despite eventual defeat, a dogged performance ensured that the result remained in the balance until the final seconds and represents progress against one of our bogey sides.

There were 3 changes from last week with Butchart, Cawthorn and Hinsley coming in for Elkin Sheppard (suspended), Claisse (on a watching brief) and Keita (left to join North Ferriby).

Aside of a pair Hallam efforts that required Sykes to intervene, the opening 25 minutes were dominated by The Azzurri going down the slope.

Spence had an early shot from range go wide. But then it was ourselves that offered the biggest threat from set pieces. Makwiramiti’s 18th minute corner found Hinsley 2 yards out and the Hallam keeper (and ex-Blue) Hugo Warhurst knew very little about it as the header hit his body, going out for another corner. Jack Cawthorn met PMak’s corner powerfully, heading against the crossbar.

RBH shot low past the post from 15 yards a few minutes on.

The home side kept Sykes awake with an angled shot that needed him to stop with his legs and he had to pluck a header out of the air.

On the stroke of half time, Tom A got to the byline and put in a nice cross but the defender knocked it back to his keeper. HT 0-0.

Hallam were a different proposition after the restart, with their well-practiced principal tactic of pumping it long, down the hill.

On 50 minutes, The Azzurri cleared off the line but almost immediately a Hallam forward bought a penalty with an over dramatic tumble – their 6th penno against us in our last 5 meetings. Sykes got us out of jail when he saved the spot kick with his legs and the taker struck the post from the rebound.

8 minutes later, Sykes was at it again, making a fantastic double reflex save. The second shot was adjudged to be offside but Sykes had already made sure that the peril was averted.

In the 64th minute, Hallam managed to breach the Frickley ramparts with a most fortunate goal. The forward threw a boot at a long ball over the top and it looped over Sykes into the net from 20 yards.

The hosts continued to go route 1, keeping  Les Verts penned in at the bottom of Mount Sandygate. They shot and headed over and wide on several occasions, and ex-Blue Danny South had an attempt blocked.

The best second half opportunity for The Boys in Mint Green came from a PMak free kick in the 74th minute. Headed on by Tom A, Cleggy fired a rocket of a shot inches over the bar.

As so often happens when you’re pushing up, chasing a game, the opposition get in behind to nick another goal. So it was as the Hallam sub turned in a cross after a swift move down the right to end any danger of a late Frickley equaliser. FT 2-0.

After conceding 32 goals against Hallam in the 7 previous times we’ve faced them, over the past 4 seasons, this was a valiant effort. And more clinical finishing might’ve seen us pull off one of the shocks of the season. If not completely restored, pride was most definitely much improved!

WEBMASTER MOTM – we were the better side in the first half and we defended like lions in the second. Cawthorn and Keano headed away Hallam’s aerial assault whilst Butch and Gadge scampered around blunting the menace down the flanks. Spence is like the glue that holds it all together, ably aided and abetted by RBH, who is flourishing in front of the back 4, and the silky smooth PMak. Luke Hinsley gave us presence up top, with Chippy and Tom A working their socks off to provide the ammunition. And Cleggy always brings the graft when he comes on. However, the Glitterball goes to Will Sykes with a penalty save, a couple of stunning stops and safe all round handling. Wunderbar, Will!

TWITTER MOTM – Will Sykes takes it from Niall Butchart, Harry Gagan and Jack Cawthorn. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Jack Cawthorn was chosen by Zav Elkin Sheppard. Well done, JC!

717 through the gate. Thank you for travelling all that way and spurring The Mint Greens up that hill – metaphorically and literally. Superb support!

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

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 22nd March, when Parkgate are our visitors for our final home game of 2024/25. Please note the earlier kickoff time of 12.30pm. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD