Thackley AFC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Thackley 2 Frickley 0

(FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

Despite being the better side for large parts of the game, The Azzurri’s poor run in the FA Cup continued with a 2-0 defeat at Thackley, thus extending our longest ever FA Cup losing streak to 5 games.

The boss made 3 changes from last week with Josh Haigh, Harley McCormack and Jack Holden being replaced by Ben Stobart, Cal Brook and Louis Thwaites.

The Blues were in control for the vast majority of the first half. The Thackley keeper was fortunate in the 8th minute after punching a ball away, Jack Varley hooked it back over him but a defender spared his blushes, clearing off the line.

Gilly was dangerous, going on a run then feeding Luke Williams but the keeper pouched the shot, and then firing narrowly wide a short while later. The keeper also fielded another of his attempts from range.

It took until the 36th minute before Thackley had a meaningful chance, crossing and blazing over from a few yards out.

In the final minute of the half, the hosts took the lead decidedly against the run of play. A Thackley went down easily under pressure from Keano in the box. Penner awarded. Duly dispatched.

There was still time for The Azzurri to almost go in for their half time mangoes on level terms. Williams squared to Gilly who saw his venomous volley on the turn unfortunately blocked. HT 1-0.

The second period was a little more scrappy. In quick succession, Gilly’s free kick hit the defensive wall, Thackley hit the post and saw a free kick goes wide.

Around the hour mark, the keeper pushed away another Gilly free kick and clung onto Williams’s shot from the rebound. Equally, the keeper held on to Spence’s wormburner from the edge of the box.

Thackley shot wide after nicking the ball on the edge of the box. And Gilly lifted his shot over when he looked to be in a good position.

With 10 minutes to play, Thackley effectively ended it as a contest, finally netting after having several bites at the cherry as a low cross passed through the box.

In the 84th minute, Varls fed Spooner, on as sub, and he put an inch-perfect cross onto fellow replacement Cleggy’s head but it was glanced millimetres wide of the upright.

The final minutes were imbued with light and shade as Riley Johnson, one of last season’s U16s, came on as sub to make his 1st team debut. But then the ref awarded an extremely harsh red card to Ben Stobart. Stobart was tussling with a Thackley forward, 6 of one and half a dozen of the other stuff, and was adjudged to have fouled as the last man. Sorry but never a red.

In time added on, Thackley rolled a shot against the post before being comfortably picked up by Adam Hewitson. FT 2-0.

Plenty of positives and some stuff to work on but keep the faith, trust the process, comrades. And this FA Cup thing is ok but it’ll never catch on…

WEBMASTER MOTM – a decent display, we just need to turn that pressure into goals. Standouts included Jack Varley, Joel Spence and Luke Williams who were indefatigable in their efforts. There were nice impact cameos by subs Harry Spooner and Cleggy that almost lead to a goal. Huge sympathy to Ben Stobart who got a red for basically doing his job. And I loved seeing Riley Johnson make his first team bow. But the Glitterball goes to Rob Guilfoyle. He was a live wire every time he got the ball. Great stuff, Gilly!

TWITTER MOTM – the public agree, Rob Guilfoyle takes it from Joel Spence, Jack Varley and Luke Williams. Thanks to all who voted.

231 through the gate with a good percentage from the Principality of South Elmsall. Thank you for your amazing travelling support.

To hear the thoughts of Gaffer, James Baxendale, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 6th August, when we get back to league affairs and travel to Rossington Main, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD