Club Thorne Colliery FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Preseason Friendly:

Club Thorne 2 Frickley 0

A pair of quick second half goals by hosts Club Thorne sent Frickley’s new manager James Baxendale and his charges home with a 2-goal defeat, after an archetypal ‘game of 2 halves’ performance.

Both sides started fairly steadily as they tried to shake off the ring rust. But it was The Azzurri who took the upper hand in the opening 45 minutes with almost one way traffic towards the Thorne goal.

Freed from their full back roles, old faces Zav Elkin and Josh Haigh gave the side width and stretched Thorne’s back four with a series of crosses headed wide, over or at the keeper.

Thorne did well to keep it scoreless when a defender nicked the ball off the striker’s toe then moments later blocked a dangerous shot.

But the home defence could only watch and hope as a deft Frickley volley struck the bar and went over to safety.

The Blues ended the half strongly, firing inches wide and zipping a low shot across the face of goal.

First half XI – Adam Hewitson, Zav Elkin, Ben Stobart, Zach Cooper, Harley McCormack, Josh Haigh, Joel Spencer, Keanen Mannings, Jack Holden, Jack Varley, Rob Guilfoyle.

HT 0-0.

The Boys in Blue (er, yellow and navy) were much changed at half time with only keeper Adam Hewitson retaining his place.

After an uneventful opening 10 minutes to the second period, the home side opened the scoring. A simple passing move ended with the ball being swept into the net.

Hewitson made a smart save with his feet before Thorne made it 2. The ball was headed back across goal before being smashed in from close range just after the hour mark.

Both teams had half chances in the remaining minutes but none that required significant intervention by either keeper.

Second half XI – Adam Hewitson, Reuben Brewin-Hawkins, Callum Brook, Owen Dale, Cyrus Rowe, Louis Thwaites, Charlie Austerfield, Nana Nyarko, Harry Spooner, Luke Williams, Gracjan Klimczak.

FT 2-0.

Stay calm. It’s only preseason. More importantly – we’re back!!

WEBMASTER MOTM – the first half team definitely had the best of it but there were definite bright spots in the second half side. Thus it is that I’m going to award the first Glitterball of 24/25 jointly to The Elk for his marauding runs down the right flank and Josh Haigh for looking like he’d never been away after several months out injured. Bellissimo, boys!

162 through the gate with oddly number from The People’s Republic of SESKU.  Thanks for starting 24/25 with your usual amazing support!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 9th July, when we host Sheffield FC at The Wezzie, 7.30pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD