Winterton Rangers FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Winterton Rangers 1 Frickley 1

This was a frenetic skirmish between two sides who were both beaten 6-0 last Saturday. So maybe the eventual draw wasn’t such a surprise. But a 95th minute equaliser by The Azzurri? You just can’t make this stuff up.

There were 3 changes from last week as Harrison Davison-Hale made his second debut in goal. Chipamaunga and Brook were the other changes, replacing Wombwell and Guilfoyle. And Keanan Mannings made his 50th appearance in a Blues shirt.

The Blues started on the front foot with Holden’s toe poke going narrowly wide.

But then it was all about Harrison Davison-Hale. HDH announced his return with 4 great saves in the first half an hour. The pick of them was a reflex stop after a deflection off his own defender.

The closest The Azzurri came during this period was when a throw in by Booth reached Cleggy, his shot was blocked but Chippy flicked the loose ball millimetres over the bar with the outside of his boot.

As we closed in on half time, Winterton headed over and Holden spotted the keeper off his line and shot from 40 yards but the keeper scrambled back to retrieve it. HT 0-0.

The Blues came out with renewed vigour after the break and it wouldn’t be disrespectful to the opposition to say that it was one way traffic. However, the ball wouldn’t drop or that final pass wouldn’t come off.

Booth had a header saved and saw another go wide in the first 5 minutes of the half.

On 50 minutes, a Winterton defender went through the back of Chippy in the box. A stonewall penner but nowt given. In fact, the ref signalled that the defender had got the ball. So he might’ve, but it certainly wasn’t the size 5 mitre that he kicked.

Zav had a shot over the bar and good work by Cleggy and Varls down the left set up an opportunity for Spence but he also lifted his attempt over.

The Boys in Blues hit the woodwork in the 57th minute when the keeper pushed Chippy’s lob onto the bar before going out for a corner.

On the hour, the home side were down to 10 men for 10 minutes as their number 10 got sent to the sin bin after expressing his displeasure at a robust tackle.

In the 73rd minute, on one of their very few forays into the Frickley half, The Blues failed to clear a corner and the hosts cracked in the loose ball. As decidedly against the run of play as this was, that’s football. And another goal conceded from a set piece – bugger.

Things got worse as The Azzurri went down to 10 men as Holden was sin binned.

Gilly, on as sub, had a couple of shots but neither were on target.

Deep into Fergie time, it was looking bleak. But in a managerial master stroke, big Callum Brook was moved up front. Thus it was that when Joel Spence swung in a booming cross, Brooky got his head on it and the keeper couldn’t keep out his equaliser, despite getting a hand on it. Cue scenes. FT 1-1.

Well, we got out of jail there, but the indomitable spirit we showed was priceless! Before the game, many will have expected us to win at 19th placed Winterton but if the game was that predictable, no one would come to watch. And a point’s a point.

WEBMASTER MOTM – we’ve played better, we’ve played worse, but that steely desire to not be beaten was a thing to behold. Holden, Spence, Keano and Cleggy were gritty and industrious, Cawthorn, Zav and Boothy were dogged but alive to bringing the ball out of defence. Chippy was lively and Brooky is simply a Bagsman. And HDH’s keeping kept us in it on several occasions. But the Glitterball goes to Jack Varley. He covered every blade of grass and strained every sinew to get a result. Viva Varls!

TWITTER MOTM – it was a tie as Joel Spence and Callum Brook jointly take it from Jack Varley and Harrison Davison-Hale. Keanan Mannings also polled votes. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Jack Varley was chosen by Mick Holmes. Well done, Varls!

201 through the gate. To travel in such numbers, all the way to deepest, darkest North Lincolnshire from the Bailiwick of South Elmsall after a 6-goal drubbing last week shows the humbling loyalty and devotion of our remarkable fans. We thank you all truly.

To hear the thoughts of the caretaker gaffers, El Binno and Varls, click here. And I must take this opportunity to thank these fellas for their sterling efforts as interim management team. 7 points from a possible 12 isn’t too shabby, not too shabby at all. #properfrickley

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 5th November, Bonfire Night, when Thackley are our visitors to The Wezzie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hopefully, we’ll see some Azzurri fireworks on the pitch for new boss Tom Claisse’s first home game in charge. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD