Hallam FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Hallam 6 Frickley 2   (NCEL League Cup)

It was one of football’s oldest tales at football’s oldest ground as the big spenders progressed in the cup at the expense of shallower pockets. Hallam played to their strengths in downing The Azzurri by six goals to two.

It was a much altered Blues side at Sandygate as the Gaffer made 6 changes from the weekend as Louis Thwaites, Zach Cooper, Harley McCormack, Keanan Mannings, Charlie Clegg and Jamie Tomlinson came into the starting lineup. Reuben Brewin Hawkins, Rob Guilfoyle, Jack Varley, Josh Haigh and Josh Smith made up the bench. Hallam’s ranks included ex-Blues Hugo Warhurst in goal and non-league units Chris Salt and Danny South who both covered some distance trundling up and down the slope for set pieces.

Warhurst was in action in the first few minutes, saving a Willo header at full stretch, and Tommo’s wormburner fizzed just past the post.

Playing down the slope, Hallam showed intent, hitting the side netting, then went ahead in the 14th minute, scoring direct from a corner.

The hosts’ lead lasted less than 2 minutes, Warhurst saving a shot but Tommo followed up to equalise.

Shortly afterwards, Hewitson tipped a Hallam drive over. Hallam also rounded the keeper but The Blues/Greens defended well to put it behind.

Hallam were not to be denied, and  Christ Salt headed home from a 23rd minute corner to put them ahead.

The home side extended their lead with 2 more goals in 4 minutes. In the 34th minute, Danny South headed down a free kick for one of his forwards to tap in. Then Frickley cleared a rasping drive off the line but the loose ball was floated back in, hitting the bar and dropping over the line, with a bit of help from their forward.

On the stroke of half time, The Azzurri reduced the arrears when  Warhurst fumbled a simple ball, and Willo nipped in, slotting in from a narrow angle.

There was still time for Adam Hewitson to tip a Hallam effort over the bar then pouch the header from the resulting corner. HT 4-2.

The Blues/Greens sensed that the Hallam defence was not impregnable as Cleggy lifted his shot over from 20 yards out, 2 minutes after the restart. Then Willo had a gilt edged opportunity as he went 1 on 1 with the keeper but the ball visibly kicked up as he pulled the trigger and ultimately struck Warhurst’s outstretched leg.

In the 50th minute, any chance of a comeback was quashed as another Hallam free kick was headed towards goal then cleared and the ref (wrongly) adjudged it to have crossed the line.

Another Tommo wormburner was pushed wide by the keeper.

On the hour, young defender Josh Smith, on as sub to make his debut, was caught out by a Hallam winger. Said winger’s dive got top marks from the judges and a penno from the ref. Duly dispatched.

Smith almost made up for his earlier misdemeanour when he hit the bar. And The Mint Greens had to scramble a free kick away and saw a Hallam header go wide.

Later on, Willo was scythed down twice in quick succession as Hallam had to resort to unfair means to thwart him. With a couple of minutes left, Willo robbed the defender on the edge of the box but the ball just squirted past Gilly as Willo passed under heavy pressure. FT 6-2.

We’re out of the league cup but, to quote Windsor Davies in It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, “Oh dear, how sad, never mind”. It wasn’t a 6-2 performance, and it was never dull, but note to selves, work to do on defending set pieces. We’ll have another go at this cup football lark on Saturday.

WEBMASTER MOTM – the showing was better than the scoreline suggests but Hallam used their plentiful resources well. Lots of fresh faces got a chance and didn’t let themselves down. Zach Cooper was a vocal, encouraging skipper, Cleggy, Keano, Joel 90 and Golden Holden were hard running. Jamie Tommo continued his rich vein of form and Thwaitesy was constantly looking for an opening. And a big welcome to the misters to Josh Smith. But the Glitterball has to go to Luke Williams in his last game before he goes travelling, for this performance and all his efforts so far this season. He was superb again and signing off with a goal was the cherry on top. Wunderbar, Willo!

TWITTER MOTM – Luke Williams takes it from Jamie Tomlinson, Zach Cooper and Keanan Mannings. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Luke Williams was chosen by Michael Johnson (who was ‘in absentia’ but it’s who he would’ve picked!). Well done, Willo!

332 through the gate with an impressive number from WF9 for a league cup tie at an awkward venue to get to on a midweek evening. Thank you for your loyal support. Always much appreciated.

To hear the thoughts of manager, James Baxendale, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 24th September, when we set out on the road to Wembley as Sandbach United are our visitors in the Isuzu FA Vase Second Round Qualifying, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD