Knaresborough Town FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Knaresborough Town 3 Frickley 1

The Blues dipped out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the third season on the trot at the hands of Knaresborough Town, courtesy of a 3-1 defeat.

The hosts had unfortunately done the majority of the job required in less than a quarter of an hour.

The Blues were a goal down after two and a half minutes when a penalty was awarded for a daft foul with only 88 seconds on the clock. Duly dispatched.

Big Al looked to have equalised in the 7th minute but it was (wrongly) disallowed for an offside that only the officials saw. Not the last example of ‘interesting’ officiating that we’d see.

On 11 minutes, the Knaresborough forward was unchallenged as he hit an overhead kick into the back of the net for his second of the game. Credit where it’s due, it was a decent goal.

The rest of the half was even Stevens. Jake H’s drive was comfortably held. And Keita had a chance when The Azzurri hit on the break but Big Al couldn’t get his shot past the rapidly retreating keeper. Bradbury made a couple of regulation stops too. HT 2-0.

The sum total of the opening 10 minutes of the second half was a bit of handbags and a flurry of yellow cards.

That changed in the 58th minute. Bradders came out to control the ball but Knaresborough’s number 10 nicked the ball and tapped it into the empty net to effectively end the game as a contest.

The home keeper comfortably held onto a Lloydy free kick but there was a shout for a penner after a push. Nothing doing.

Then with around 25 minutes to go, Knaresborough were awarded a dubious penalty for handball. The number 9 stepped up intending to complete his hat trick from the spot but Bradders had other ideas as he pushed it away for a corner.

The final 15 minutes were probably the best of the game for The Azzurri. Bradders made a save and then set sub Ellz Anku off on a mazy run but the keeper pouched his attempt on goal. Rich Collier also saw his free kick palmed away.

Time was virtually up when Keanen Mannings got clear and hit the upright but sub Rievesy B pounced on the rebound to score a consolation goal. FT 3-1.

Two defensive mistakes and a fortunate worldy meant that my Wembley hotel booking in May was cancelled at full time. Ah well, I can’t see this FA Cup thing ever catching on anyway…

WEBMASTER MOTM – not our finest day but we continued trying to play football to the end. Keegan Townrow stood out at the back, strong in the air and a last ditch tackle or two. And Varls, Jake H and The Elk never hid. Big Al and Lloydy ran their collective blood to water. Big Ank and Haighy continue to impress off the bench, and Rieves Boocock took his goal well. Jonesy was a workhorse, and Mannings and James were dogged. Callum Bradbury showed real character to pick himself up and stop a penner. But the Glitterball goes to the skipper, Richard Collier. He was vocal, tough as teak and tireless – he was a warrior. We salute you, Colonel!

TWITTER MOTM – the public agree with me, Richard Collier takes it from Big Al, Lloyd Smith and Keegan Townrow. Mick Jones, Jake Hemingway, Keenan Mannings, The Elk, Big Ank and Haighy also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

The volunteers’ man of the match is Alhassane Keita, chosen by Karen Anderson and Gerry Wray, for his hard running. Well done, Big Al!

268 through the gate, with big numbers from SESKU. Thank you for your amazing away support!

To hear the thoughts of the manager, Pat McGuire, click here.

Please note that our NCEL game against Barton Town on Tuesday, 8th August, is now postponed as a result of Barton’s involvement in the FA Cup. A new date for this game will be announced in due course.

This means The Blues are next in action at Pickering Town on Tuesday, 15th August, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley