Silsden AFC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Silsden 4 Frickley 2

Despite their best efforts, The Blues couldn’t come back from conceding 3 goals in the first 23 minutes at Silsden. But it was a close run thing, closer than the scoreline would suggest, in awfully wet and windswept conditions.

Patts came back into the starting lineup and Ellz Anku moved to the bench along with the returning El Binno (newly engaged!), Rieves Boocock and Isaac Jeffreys.

The Boys in Blue started disastrously, going a goal down with less than 20 seconds gone. Silsden cut through like a hot knife through butter to score straight from the kickoff.

The Blues could barely get out of their own half as Silsden kept the pressure on with a series of goal attempts.

Moments after the quarter of an hour mark, a Silsden forward beat Bradders to an under hit back pass, before rounding him and rolling the ball into an empty net to double his side’s advantage.

23 minutes in and it was looking bleaker than the wet weather that Paul Hudson had forecast would stop by lunchtime but never did. Silsden’s number 9 ran the ball wide and hit a speculative shot that beat Bradders from the corner of the box.

If it’d been a boxing match, the ref would’ve stopped proceedings but The Azzurri shook off the standing count like Rocky Balboa after an onslaught from Clubber Lang, and started to fight their way back into contention.

On the half hour, a Frickley free kick into the mixer lead to a bit of penalty box pinball and ended with Big Al smashing the ball at the keeper who made a point blank save, although I doubt he knew much about it. Notice served.

It was only 2 minutes later when a diagonal ball reached Big Al and he lifted the ball over the keeper who could only help it on into the net.

And The keeper had to desperately hang onto another very tricky shot from Big Al, straight from the restart.

Soon afterwards, The Colonel, Richard Collier, had to enter the fray rather earlier than intended when Morgan James pulled up.

Bradders kept The Blues in it with a good stop from a diving header, 2 minutes before the break. HT 3-1.

The hosts almost repeated their first half trick but Bradders saved a low hit free kick in the opening 30 seconds of the second period.

A 58th minute free kick by the Colonel caused chaos in the Silsden area. Varls, on his 50th appearance for The Azzurri, flicked the ball towards goal, forcing the keeper to beat it away. Then Big Al directed the rebound back where it came from but the keeper got a hand on the ball to stop it on the line.

It was a short lived reprieve as Big Al crossed in, the flapping keeper and a defender contrived to drop the ball at the lurking Keegan Townrow’s feet. He didn’t need asking twice as he popped it into the empty net in the 62nd minute.

Bradders made a couple of decent saves, pushing one long shot past the post and another over the bar to keep The Azzurri within a goal of an equaliser.

But with 8 minutes of normal time left, Silsden ended the game as a contest with a 4th goal, a scuffed effort from a corner. FT 4-2.

Again we certainly weren’t outplayed and we showed our usual indomitable spirit. However, it’s fair to say that our soft underbelly was exposed in the first quarter, and that gave us just too much of a mountain to climb. But, mark my words, we’ll come out fighting on Boxing Day!

WEBMASTER MOTM – these boys never know when they’re beaten and they keep coming till the final whistle. Bradders kept the score down with some fine saves when the ball must’ve been like a bar of soap. Keegan took his goal well. And The Colonel, Keano, Zak and Lloydy were lively. But the Glitterball goes to Big Al Keita. With a goal and an assist, he featured in all the best play. Allez, Al!

TWITTER MOTM – Callum Bradbury takes it from Big Al Keita, Zak Kersey and Keegan Townrow. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Zak Kersey was chosen by Ella and Josh Carr. Well done, Zak-attack!

167 through the gate, with big numbers from the United States of South Elmsall. Thank you for you very vocal support on such a grotty day!

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

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 26th December for a Boxing Day cracker at The Wezzie where Goole will be our visitors for a 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there and, until then, hope you all have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas!

#forzafrickley