Recap

Thackley 0 Frickley 7

After a dominating the first half, The Blues produced a ruthless attacking display in the second to dismantle Thackley 7-0 on their own patch, with Lucas Robinson bagging 4 goals in a sensational individual performance on a rain-soaked afternoon.

The Azzurri set their stall out early with a string of chances. In just the third minute, Spence whipped in a low cross which Destiny turned narrowly wide.

3 minutes on and Destiny’s thunderous strike cannoned off the bar, the ball bouncing on the line and away.

Thackley’s goalkeeper was called into action seconds later, pushing another Destiny effort behind, with Radz seeing his header blocked from the resulting corner. Radz also had a decent shout for penno when he was dragged to the ground at another set piece.

Despite clear pressure, the opening goal refused to come, though Tom A and Robbo both went close.

The Blues were almost made to pay when, against the run of play, Thackley threatened in the 25th minute as a wickedly dipping dipping shot smacked against the bar. But the scare seemed to spark The Azzurri into action, and less than 60 seconds later came the breakthrough.

Robinson tore down the flank, cut inside, and lashed a fierce shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Going towards half time, Robinson remained a menace, setting up chances for Tom A, the clearest of these hit the keeper at point blank range.

At the other end, Sykesy showed neat handling to deny Thackley when they did get a rare sight of goal.

The Blues went in at the break one up, but with the game still in the balance, well aware they could have been further ahead. HT 0-1.

The Boys in Blue had no intention of taking their collective foot off the gas though and started the second period with similar intent, pouring forward like grey tide.

The rewards duly came with an explosive spell of 5 goals in 12 minutes. The first arriving on 53 minutes when Robbo hit a wormburner from 20 yards, taking a couple of defensive deflections on its way to doubling the lead.

2 minutes later, the wing wizard completed his hat trick, pouncing on a rebound from Destiny’s shot to make it 3-0.

The floodgates were well and truly open now. Lindley rattled the bar in the 58th minute before Tom A reacted quickest to tuck in the rebound, followed by Destiny’s deserved goal just after the hour mark, his low drive beating the keeper at the near post.

On 65 minutes, Robbo was unstoppable, racing through to notch his 4th of the afternoon and Frickley’s 6th.

Substitutions offered no respite for Thackley, whose frustrations spilled over when their sub Basi was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Lindley. With 10 men, a 6 goal deficit and a deteriorating surface, the hosts were left chasing shadows.

And substitute appearances from Butch, Cleggy, Shayan, and Love gave further impetus to a Blues side showing little sign of slowing down.

A saved header from Cleggy preceded Frickley’s 7th with 7 minutes to go. Tom A fed Cleggy, and his effort was deflected into the path of Andrew, coolly finishing from inside the 6 yard box for his first goal for the club.

The final whistle confirmed a statement showing that has been coming for weeks. FT 0-7.

In conditions that made control difficult, The Blues adapted to the soft surface best, playing with the creativity, style and intensity we always knew we were capable of. You have to enjoy these highs when they come, I know I certainly will.

WEBMASTER MOTM – we were a well-oiled machine with every part crucial to the end result. The defensive 5 were a grey storm, dampening all Thackley threat. The front 3 were a pack of hunting hyenas who could smell blood. And the midfield triumvirate were puppet masters pulling the strings. All 5 subs had impact, you can ask no more. However, the Glitterball has to go to Lucas Robinson. With 4 goals, he was simply unplayable. Resplendent, Robbo!

TWITTER MOTM – Lucas Robinson takes it from Harry Gagen, Tom Alngohuru and Will Jenkinson. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Lucas Robinson was chosen by Penny Wall. Well done, Robbo!

155 through the gate, with a goodly number of pilgrims sailing from the Dominion of SESKU. I told you it was wet. We thank you all truly for cheering the lads on to such a resounding win!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Martin Woolford, click here.

To see the full photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here.

To see the goals, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 9th December when we travel to Albion Sports, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD

STAT ATTACK:

• Biggest win in all competitions since our 8-0 win at Goole in October 2023.
• First double (winning home and away against the same team in the league in the same season) since we beat Maltby Main 4-3 at home in January 2024, after winning 2-0 away.
• Lucas Robinson’s hat trick was the first scored in the league for Frickley since Jacob Hazel v Kidsgrove in November 2019.
• Lucas Robinson’s 4-goal haul was the first scored for Frickley since Gavin Allott scored 4 (after coming on as sub!) v Gresley in April 2018.
• Their goals in this game put Lucas Robinson, Tom Alngohuru and Destiny Ifeanyi Nnenanua level on 8 goals each in the race for this season’s golden boot.
• That was Will Sykes’s 9th clean sheet which puts him joint first with Callum Bradbury for the most clean sheets in the 2020s.
• Thackley’s biggest defeat since losing 8-0 at home to Pontefract Collieries in the NCEL Premier Division in October 2017.
• The biggest away win in the NCEL Premier Division so far this season.