Recap

Hemsworth MW 3 Frickley 1

(Sheffield Cup)

In a feisty encounter, a changed Blues side were eventually undone by 3 set pieces on the undersized plastic at local rivals Hemsworth, exiting the Sheffield Cup at the first hurdle.

Thwaites, Haighy and Chipamaunga came into the starting lineup in place of Gilly and Cleggy who moved to the bench, and Cawthorn who was rested. U23s Joe Wilson and Josh Smith made up the subs’ bench.

The hosts served notice of intent as there was only 16 seconds gone when Hewitson had to make a brilliant save, diverting the ball wide with his feet.

The ref set his stall out early too, allowing the hosts to be very heavy in the tackle without any more than a word. In fact, he only issued a couple of cards all night, despite some quite niggly fouls.

A ball over the top almost reached Varls but he couldn’t bring it under proper control and his the shot lobbed into the keeper’s hands.

With 14 minutes on the clock, Hemsworth won a free kick on the left. Before it was taken, the ref moved the goalposts – literally! Those goals-on-wheels probably need adjusting now and then but they were moved about 2 feet. Hemsworth swung the ball in and it was headed in. It’d have gone wide for sure if the ref hadn’t moved the goal 😉

In reply, Chippy had a shot on target but there was no power in it. Then Sutton’s 24th minute corner to the back of the box found Spence. He crossed back in and Keano powered in a header to level it.

Keano almost repeated the trick 7 minutes later but his header went inches wide.

Not long after the half hour, Hemsworth flashed a ball across goal and somehow failed to put it away.

In time added on at the end of the half, Hemsworth thought they had extended their lead when they found the net but it was so far offside the forward had to pay to get back in. HT 1-1.

With everything still to play for, early in the second period, The Elk crossed and it went just over a Frickley head with the goal gaping.

8 minutes into the half, Hemsworth regained the upper hand. From another free kick, they headed at goal, Hewitson made a stunning stop (think Gordon Banks to Pele in the 1970 World Cup). However, the ball looped up nicely for one of the home side – stood in an offside position – to nod in.

Just before the hour mark, the home keeper flapped away Zav’s cross but Thwaitesy could only volley the loose ball well wide.

Louis Thwaites then had to be replaced by the young Joe Wilson after a whack on the shin. Initially, the collision sounded like a gunshot and we all feared the worst when surrounding players called for urgent help. But Thwaites is made of tough stuff and managed to hobble off, suggesting bruising rather than a breakage.

Smoking’ Joe almost had an immediate impact as the keeper had to get down smartish to push his angled shot past the post. Then a bit of penalty box pinball ensued from the corner before ending up in the keeper’s arms.

The Azzurri kept up the pressure with Keano heading onto the roof of the net from a corner, Cleggy seeing a shot saved after a defensive mix up and Sutton getting the same result after cutting in from the wing.

But with a quarter of an hour remaining, the home side doubled their advantage when a corner dropped to their man at the back post who tapped in.

In the final minutes, Chippy almost scored against his old team with an overhead kick that, had it gone in, would have had goal of the decade all sewn up. In the event, it crashed against the bar, came down, seemingly over the line, and spun away. Nowt given. FT 1-3.

This Sheffield Cup thing will never catch on, I really can’t see it lasting. And now we’re out of all the cups for another year, we can concentrate on the league.

WEBMASTER MOTM – we were the victims of a robust game plan, fair and square, but the margins were fine. Joel Spence and Jack Varley were consistently dogged and hard running. Chippy was a threat but Hemsworth were his previous club and recognised that so crowded him each time he got the ball. And The Elk strode forward at every opportunity. However, the Glitterball goes to Will Sutton. He scurried up and down the touchline like he was doing shuttle runs. Wunderbar, Will!

TWITTER MOTM – Marcel Chipamaunga takes it from Joel Spence, Jack Varley and Will Sutton. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Will Sutton was chosen by Chris Howden. Well done, Will!

The home side claimed it was only 75 through the gate. Maybe they were only counting Frickley fans, of which there were plenty. Thank you for your vocal support, regardless of the result!

To hear the thoughts of caretaker gaffers, El Binno and Varls, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 26th October, when we get back to league business as Hallam are our visitors to The Wezzie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD