Nostell MW FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

This report is dedicated to the memory of Duke Fakir, legendary vocalist with the Four Tops & a massive Frickley fan, who passed away recently.

The mighty Mark Ainge told me last night that this was the start of his 54th season watching the Azzurri – he’s seen more pre season friendlies than some of us have had hot dinners. & on that subject, whilst the earlier PSFs might be considered the nibbles, the canapes, the entrees; last night felt like the hors d’oeuvres to the main course that will be served up on Saturday.

Whilst the first half was all about delicate flavours, the second half had more bite & crunch & was a spicy affair

We’d barely got our napkins tucked into our jumpers when the impressive Cyrus ‘Death’ Rowe danced into the box & was unceremoniously chopped down, penner awarded & duly despatched by skipper Jack Varley

It was pretty much one way traffic for the rest of the first half – Hughesy was rapid down the flanks, Mannings had 2 bites at the same peach of a cross, both cleared off the line, Cleggy with a header & a shot that were saved, the aforementioned Rowe cutting inside & curling shots narrowly past the far stick, Horniman (he’s Horni, Horni, Horni, Horni), Thwaites & Stobart all having shots from distance

1 nil half time

2nd half saw a plethora of subbies at various points – one of them Cool Hand Luke Williams driving just wide, then Mannings headed just over

A momentary & rare defensive lapse led to Nostell equalising – that aside Chef De Partie Adam Hewitson had a relatively quiet evening in goal & could have easily gone straight out in his kit after the game, made the short journey into Wakefield & spent the evening grooving to the sweet sounds of Shalamar in Rooftop Gardens

After the equaliser Nostell turned up the heat for a while but our defence was resolute & held firm until we came back to the boil ourselves – then Williams tied the opposition in knots & rolled the ball to Guilfoyle who stroked the ball home with aplomb. Gilly then lifted up his shirt to reveal a t shirt with the message ‘That goal is for you Ken Whitehead’ (Ken is currently sunning himself in Tossa) – nice touch by Rob

Plenty of thrust & counter thrust from that point onwards but no real danger to either goal & the game ended 2-1 to the Azzurri

A very competitive game & good preparation for Saturdays season opener against Pickering

WEBMASTER MOTM – plenty of competition for this one – Cairney was on excellent form alongside the deliciously coiffured Thwaites, Mannings controlled the engine room, Hughes was rapid down one flank whilst Rowe provided the guile on the other. Stobart was on excellent form. Varley, Williams & Guilfoyle showed they are masters of the craft. But I’m awarding the Glitterball to the irrepressible Brogan Horniman – started at right back, then played as a wing half & winger, 2nd half had a spell at centre half & managed a few efforts on goal – the only thing he didn’t do was slice up the half time oranges

Hear the words of Harley ‘The Cantley Pirlo’ McCormack & Ben ‘The Juggernaut’ Stobart here – apologies for the sound quality, the acoustics where we interviewed weren’t great & my Nokia 3210 isn’t the best – normal service will be resumed when Ken ‘Richer Sounds’ Whitehead returns with his top of the range sound system

So you lovely people – that’s your lot – eat well, sleep well & get ready for the start of the important stuff on Saturday. 3pm Saturday, Pickering are our guests, let’s make some noise

YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU!!