Lincoln United v Frickley Athletic

Recap

On Friday night Meds asked us for the worst track by our favourite bands – easy, The Boys Are Back In Town by The Happy Mondays. Well, our boys were definitely back in town yesterday afternoon – that town being Lincoln!

The Blue Juggernaut has had a few mechanical issues recently but yesterday Frecks got the engine supercharged, got the tank full of red diesel (all legally obtained) & got the speakers turned up to 11.

Bit of a tweak to the line up – in came new signings Dylan Cogall, Nyle Blake (brother of Tyler) & Josh McLaughlin (who was playing for our U21s on Wednesday – more info on this trinity later. Jonny Margs returned to the squad after injury. Currie was unavailable, Sherbs suspended & Todd out with a knee tweak. The Gaffer also made the controversial & risky decision to omit Kyle O’Reilly……..

The Azzurri grabbed hold of this game by the throat from the first whistle & didn’t let go until the game was over – it was only some profligacy in front of goal by the Blues & a goalkeeping masterclass by the Lincoln keeper that prevented the scoreline being a repeat of Arbroath vs Bon Accord Scottish Cup tie of 1885.

I won’t list all the chances & saves on here – I’d be at it all day – but early on Haze & Margs both had chances, Brad McGowan had a shot blocked on the line & we had a stonewall penner turned down & Brad Wells struck a follow up shot inches wide.

On 20 minutes we did get a penalty awarded – a characteristic Margs burst into the box saw him chopped down (again) & it was an easy one to give. Margs panenka 1 nil.

5 minutes later & Nyle Blake scored direct from a corner kick with a viciously flighted ball. His corner delivery was a thing of beauty all afternoon.

2 nil was the half time score

More of the same in the 2nd half – TJ pretty much got his deckchair out. It took us until the 57th minute to add to the tally – Haze played a lovely ball over his shoulder to set up Margs & The Surgeon did what The Surgeon does, 3 nil.

5 minutes later Nyle breaks down the wing & cuts into the box & smashes home from a narrow angle, 4 nil.

10 minutes later & Blake breaks into the box but this time feeds Zeph Thomas & The Z Man is as clinical as you like, bottom corner. 5 nil.

With that the An-Nyle-Ation was over – our biggest league win since we beat Carlton 6 nil at home in April 2019.

WEBMASTER MOTM – it would be easy to give it as a blanket award to the entire squad, but I’m better than that. Even in this outstanding performance there were a number of stand outs. The back line were solid & gave TJ the afternoon off (& his 10th clean sheet of the season), Cogall on debut caught the eye & looked like he’d been playing there all season. We had the H Bombs in midfield – Holli & Hotte. Tyler played in his old left wingers position & revelled in it. Even though they didn’t score, the work that Haze & Wellsy got through was off the charts. Margs & Nyle were pretty much unplayable at times & obviously get all the recognition for scoring. But the best performance for me was Liam Hughes – played at centre half as cover for Todd – & was on a different level. He’s played 2 games for us so far & has played centre mid, up top & now centre half. Well done sir – he interviews well too!!

TWITTER POLL MOTM – just to prove that goalscorers take all the glory, Margs just shaded Nyle for MOTM, with Hughesy & Cogall also polling votes. Thank you to everyone who voted.

The Gaffers thoughts on the game

Most of yesterdays goals

122 through the gate with about 1/3 being Frickley fans – incredible away numbers once again, thank you for your continued support

Next up we are away to Glossop North End on Tuesday for a league fixture, kick off 7:45pm – see you there