Recap

Nostell MW 0 Frickley 7

(Sheffield Cup)

The Blues negotiated a potentially tricky Sheffield Senior Cup assignment with considerable authority, recording a biggest ever away victory in the competition with a 7 goal demolition of Nostell Miners Welfare on a very damp, mizzly evening.

Les Bleus showed intent from the outset. Cleggy was denied the chance to pull the trigger in the 4th minute as a Nostell defender got a vital toe to the ball, before Price tested the goalkeeper from distance and Cleggy again volleyed narrowly wide.

Azzurri pressure told in the 11th minute as Walker delivered a cross into the danger area and Cable connected, with the keeper saving the shot but well over the line by the time he did.

The Blues continued to threaten, Love’s corner in the 25th minute finding Dacre, whose header struck the crossbar before bouncing over. Nostell briefly had a moment themselves, with Harold pushing away a free kick in the 27th minute before the hosts recycled possession and glanced a header wide.

Frickley restored their attacking momentum and doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute. Grist supplied the cross and Cable slid in to make the decisive connection, finishing off another well worked move.

Grist was causing plenty of problems down the flank and, 6 minutes later, reached the byline before delivering a cross which a defender could only divert against the post. Nostell scrambled the ball clear.  Cable then stung the goalkeeper’s palms with an angled drive in the 40th minute.

The 3rd goal arrived 3 minutes before half-time. Cleggy supplied the cross and Walker met it emphatically, smashing the ball home to give Los Azules a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval. HT 0-3.

Any hopes Nostell had of a recovery were dealt a swift blow less than 60 seconds after the restart. Love swung in a free kick and Jenko threw himself at it to head past a helpless home keeper

5 minutes later, and the clock struck 5 to Frickley. Grist exchanged an athletic 1-2 with Walker before slotting the ball into the net.

The Azzurri were showing little sign of easing off, and Cable bagged his 3rd of the night, and 8th of the season, in the 54th minute. Having been scissor tackled inside the penalty area, the striker took responsibility from the spot and duly dispatched the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way, to make it 6 and complete his hat trick into the bargain.

With the tie comfortably settled, Frickley made a triple substitution, Cable, Spence and Price making way for Shay Evans-Booth, Tyler Sheard and Jayden Roberts. The changes did little to disrupt the Blue rhythm, and Grist added goal number 7 – and his 6th in just 4 games – in the 60th minute with a beautifully struck free kick, curling the ball straight into the bottom corner.

SEB drove narrowly wide in the 63rd minute and later hooked a shot around the corner and over the bar in the 75th minute, while Roberts crossed for Walker 3 minutes on, only for the forward’s header to drift just wide.

During this spell, young Tyler was sadly forced off after taking a knock just minutes into his first game back after injury. Sam Kilner came on in his place in unfortunate circumstances, but in doing so made his 50th appearance for the club so huge congrats for that, Killer!

Nostell managed a late effort in the 89th minute, but Harold was equal to it, ensuring the Les Bleus finished the evening with a clean sheet to complement their 7 goals nicely. FT 0-7.

Frickley score 7 in an October cup tie, with a Sam Cable hat trick? Standard. This is becoming a habit!

With the hosts competing in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division, two steps below The Blues, there was always the possibility of a banana skin. However, Los Azules made sure that was avoided, and then some, producing a clinical display to book a place in the next round.

And what a fitting tribute this was to club legend Greg Gardham who sadly passed away earlier this week. To donate to Greg’s GoFundMe page to help his family, click here.

STAT ATTACK – This was our biggest ever away win in the Sheffield Senior Cup. Also, this equalled our biggest away win in all cup competitions and was the biggest since beating Worksop Town 8-1 in the Midland League Supplementary Cup in September 1959.

WEBMASTER MOTM – that performance was very easy on the eye. The boys at the back and in the engine room did their jobs superbly well and even chipped in with a goal from Will Jenkinson and an assist from Liam Love – his set pieces were top notch. Special mention for Toure Bell on his first start. That solid base allowed the front 4 to flourish. Henley Walker (a goal and an assist) is looking a very good find and Cleggy’s contribution went far beyond the assist he provided. However, the Glitterball goes jointly to Sam Cable and Keelan Grist. With 5 goals and 2 assists between them, even the rain couldn’t dampen their fire. Bellissimo, bros!

VOLUNTEERS’ MOTM – Sam Cable was chosen by a majority of the Blues volunteers at the game. Well done, Sam!

120 through the gate, with the vast majority from the Strait of SESKU! Your safe passage to Crofton on a soggy evening was very much appreciated!

To hear the thoughts of the hat trick hero, Sam Cable, click here.

& here are the thoughts of Cola Boy

& here are the thoughts of Joe Strummer & the lads

The Blues are next in action on Friday 23rd October, under the floodies, when we get back to league matters and travel to Golcar United, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD