Thackley AFC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Thackley 2 Frickley 1

After scoring 2 first half goals playoff chasers Thackley managed to hang on to their lead despite finishing with 10 men. The Azzurri were determined but couldn’t quite recreate the comeback heroics of midweek.

There were 2 changes from Tuesday night as Elkin and Walker missed out through injury, with Keita and Hughes replacing them in the starting XI. Keanan Mannings was fit enough to return to the bench alongside Jake Lockwood and Thierry Hendrickson.

61 seconds gone, Thackley went straight down the middle, the forward got half a yard on his marker and stuck it past Bradders. Not the best start.

It all settled down somewhat but the home side retained the upper hand, flashing a couple of shots across goal and making Bradders pull off a reflex save.

On the half hour, a trademark darting run by Hughesy set up Big Al who cut in before seeing his shot saved.

Thackley had a great opportunity but blazed over. They made no such mistake in the 34th minute when Bradders saved a curling effort but he could do nothing to stop Thackley putting away the loose ball from 3 or 4 yards out. HT 2-0.

The second half was less than a minute old when The Azzurri had reduced the arrears to a single goal. Lloydy set off on a mazy dribble, ending in his angled strike being pushed away by the keeper. However, it was only pushed as far Jamesy who smashed the ball high into the net.

It was almost level 3 minutes later as Collier chipped a cross into the danger area but Rylee Grove glanced his header wide.

In the 62nd minute, one of Thackley’s ex-Blues George Green received a straight red card for dissent. Most out of character for Gorgeous George 😉

The opposition being down to 10 didn’t really help The Blues as the home side decided to tough it out and stick with what they had, getting everyone behind the ball.

It took until the last minute for The Boys in Blue to carve out a chance worthy of the name. As Big Al weaved his way through Thackley’s defence, another ex-Blue Ben Bodle stopped the ball with a save on the edge of the box that Steve Death or Petar Borota would’ve been proud of. It should’ve been another red but only a yellow was awarded. Bodle had definitely dodged a bullet as he should have had a yellow for a foul in the first half. The keeper hung on to Collier’s free kick.

Deep into the 10 minutes of time added on, Jake Lockwood had a sight of goal but the ball wouldn’t drop and his volley went a hair’s breadth wide. FT 1-2.

The early goal made it an uphill task but we were better in the second half. We just couldn’t find an equaliser once the opposition shut up shop after they went down to 10 men.

WEBMASTER MOTM – another plucky performance from The Blues. Morgan James was sprightly whilst Lloydy and Big Al were a dynamic duo. And Rylee Grove continues to impress. But at the risk of sounding like a broken record, The Glitterball goes to The Colonel again. He was everywhere – indefatigable and never took a backwards step. Distinguished service, Colonel!

TWITTER MOTM – Richard Collier takes it from Morgan James, Rylee Grove and Lloyd Smith. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Richard Collier was chosen by Penny Wall and Mark Ainge. Well done, Colonel!

303 through the gate. Plenty from SESKU as per. Thank you for your wonderful support on the road!

To hear the thoughts of one of the gaffers, Luke Potter, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Wednesday 3rd April, when we travel to Eccleshill United, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there…

#forzafrickley

#FFTD