Tadcaster Albion AFC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Tadcaster Albion 1 Frickley 3

The Blues put on a masterful show to record their first win of the season and of the Baxendale era under the lights at Taddy.

The Gaffer named an unchanged starting XI from last week against Rossington. Cooper and Dale came onto the bench in place of Thwaites and Hughesy.

It was a bright opening quarter of an hour with both sides worrying the others’ back line but on 15 minutes it was The Azzurri who broke the deadlock. Luke Williams whipped in a cross and Gilly dived in to head past the keeper.

The Blues kept up the pressure as Varls fed Gilly who shot and forced the keeper to get down well to palm it away.

On the half hour, a breakaway lead to a 3 against 1 but ended with the keeper saving Varley’s low drive.

Taddy’s best chance was probably when their forward took a tumble in the box but the ref awarded it 8.4 and said play on.

Gilly squared to Varls about 30 yards out and his pile driver crashed against the bar before bouncing away. And Williams had a gilt-edged chance but chipped it into the keeper’s mitts.

With a couple of minutes of the half left, Williams crossed but Gilly could only guide it narrowly wide. However, moments later, Gilly was gently brought down. Penner surprisingly awarded but Varls didn’t care and buried it with aplomb. HT 0-2.

Within 90 seconds of the restart Hewitson was in action, getting down smartish to push a tricky effort around the base of the post

Golden Holden had an attempt on goal that the keeper saved at full stretch, then appeared to turn his ankle as he stepped on the ball soon after.

Keano’s throws were causing the home defence concern and as one was headed out, Varls caught it on the volley, requiring the keeper to make a flying save.

Holden was unable to continue and Harry Spooner came on. He was in the thick of it from the off with a great run and a pass to Williams in the box. Willo laid it off to Gilly but his shot was blocked.

Willo returned the favour with a dangerous ball in the 67th minute that evaded Spooner by millimetres.

But the next goal wasn’t long in coming. On 71 minutes, Gilly brought the ball down with a beautiful touch and played an inch perfect ball to Spooner who showed the rest how it’s done, finishing as cool as you like.

The game was effectively over as a contest but Taddy kept our heart rates up with a consolation goal in the 82nd minute. Their forward went on a mazy run before squeezing his shot in at the far post. FT 1-3.

A watchable, solid display and a scoreline that belies our dominance and probably flatters the home side a little but, more importantly, 3 cherries in the bag.

WEBMASTER MOTM – That was one of our better away performances of recent seasons, simple as. I could genuinely make a case for anyone as MOTM. Adam H with a couple of his usual reflex stops, Harls was commitment personified, Cairney and Brooky would have headed away bricks if they had to and Keano and Spence ratted away like a pair of tireless terriers. Holden had his best game in a blue shirt, Willo was about as stoppable as quicksilver and on another night gets a couple of goals, and as for Gilly he’s a class above – goal, assist and wins the penno. The Elk seems to go from strength to strength, his defending was outstanding. And the subs were superb, particularly Harry Spooner, defending from the front and clinical with 1 chance, 1 goal. But they pay me the big bucks to make the big decisions, so nailing my colours to the mast, the Glitterball goes to Jack Varley. There were leaders all over the park but Captain Jack was just that – captain, leader, vocal, inspirational, made the side tick. Congrats, El Capitano!

TWITTER MOTM – Zav Elkin Sheppard takes it from Jack Varley, Luke Cairney and Keanan Mannings. Rob Guilfoyle, Luke Williams and ‘all of them’ also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Super sub Harry Spooner was chosen by Mick Holmes. Well done, Harry!

230 through the gate with a sizeable number of Elmsallites venturing out on what became a damp evening. Your support was second to none, thank you.

To hear the thoughts of The Colossus, Jack Cairney, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday, 17th August, when Albion Sports are our visitors to The Wezzie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD