Recap

Penistone Church 0 Frickley 2

The Azzurri produced a display of almost total dominance to secure a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win in the wind and rain at Penistone Church. The recent hoodoo against one of the division’s strongest sides was broken, as was their unbeaten league record. And The Blues claimed a first away victory under boss Tom Claisse.

With just 17 seconds on the clock, Luis AF left his marker trailing and attempted an audacious lob, only to see it drift wide. It was a statement of intent, and the pressure didn’t let up.

On 5 minutes, Destiny went on a run like Maradona in the 86 World Cup in Mexico but unfortunately there was no Terry Butcher to stick it in at the end.

Soon after, Penistone’s defenders were already being forced into errors, heading behind under pressure.

The Blue tide kept rolling in. Robbo, Tom A, and Spence combined to turn the screw, ending with Luis AF hitting an overhead kick over the bar on 12 minutes. Luis AF then turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross that Spence could only head straight at the keeper.

Tom A was next to go close, racing clear only to be denied by the keeper. But he wasn’t giving up, he chased down the loose ball before firing narrowly wide from a tight angle. The breakthrough, however, was inevitable.

In the 22nd minute, a corner caused chaos as Radz rose highest to nod the ball down, Robbo stabbed goalwards, the keeper saved, but the ball was recycled by Woolly out wide and guided home by Destiny to open the scoring.

The Azzurri did not relent. Destiny whipped in two dangerous crosses soon after, Luis AF blazed the second over from 6 yards out. Luis AF struck the post when clean through in the 37th minute, and the winger again left the fullback reaching for the Sudocrem after scorching him but was thwarted by the onrushing keeper. Robbo also went agonisingly close before the interval. And there were other chances created that just lacked that crucial coup de grace.

The only opportunity worthy of the name for the hosts resulted in a brave save at the the feet of the attacker by Sykes. So at half time it remained a single goal lead for Los Azules, a scoreline that very much flattered Penistone. HT 0-1.

The second period brought more of the same. Tom A twisted and turned through the home defence, forcing a smart save early on before Penistone hit a rare looping effort wide.

Then, on 61 minutes, the killer blow arrived. Robbo found Luis AF, who danced around two defenders before coolly slotting past the keeper. A brilliant solo effort that he had been threatening all afternoon to make The Azzurri’s advantage rather more comfortable.

The Blues stayed in control, though tempers flared as a flurry of yellow cards were shown, including to Woolly, Jenko, Spence, Destiny, and Radz. New signing Kieron Ceesay was introduced for his debut and almost marked it with a goal, but a bobble saw his shot skew wide.

The Boys in Blue kept pressing for a third. Tom A drew another fine save, Radz went close with a header, and Luis AF continued to torment his fullback.

Penistone, by contrast, barely threatened, their best was a shot across goal that flew well wide in the 87th minute. To add insult to injury, they finished with 10 men after their number 2 was sent off for dissent deep into stoppage time. FT 0-2.

After 5 straight defeats against Penistone, conceding 22 goals and scoring just 7 in the process, the manner of the triumph was impressive. One way traffic, a cleano and 3 cherries on the board.

WEBMASTER MOTM – A complete team performance, the best of the Claisse era so far. Sykes had little to do but did it well. Radz was a colossus at the heart of the defence, most ably assisted by his capable deputies, Killer, Gadge and Jenko. In the engine room, Spence was at his imperious best and Woolly had his best game of the season so far. Going forward, we were simply scintillating. Robbo was the puppet master pulling the strings, while Luis AF and Tom A were blistering, leading the Penistone back 4 a merry dance. Destiny was devastating, making decent centre halves look decidedly ordinary. And KC was a handful off the bench. So no surprises, the Glitterball goes to the entire team. They played for the badge, ‘nuff said. Felicitations, Frickley fellowship!

TWITTER MOTM – Everybody takes it from The Whole Team, Every Man Jack Of ‘Em and All Of Them. Thanks to all who voted 😉

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Tom Radley was chosen by Penny Wall. Well done, Radz!

232 through the gate, with a loud knot of Seskunians. Thank you for travelling on such a grotty day. Your support was priceless!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Tom Claisse, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 2nd September when Liversedge are our visitors, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD