Recap

Worsbrough Bridge Athletic 0 Frickley 2

Battling Blues beat Briggers to break out of basement zone!

Frickley climbed out of the relegation places with a valuable 2-0 victory over Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, as The Blues made the most of their opportunities to secure 3 important points in the first league meeting between the 2 clubs.

There was an added dimension to the contest, with The Azzurri’s new management team having arrived from Worsbrough Bridge only a few weeks earlier. Since then, The Azzurri have also recruited Keelan Grist and Lloyd Smith from the Briggers, and both would play their part in a successful evening for Los Azules.

The hosts threatened almost immediately, firing wide from distance inside the opening 20 seconds, but Les Bleus soon found their feet. In the 5th minute, Grist broke down the right and charged towards goal, only to hit his shot straight at the Worsbrough goalkeeper and ex-Blues U18 Ashton Powney.

The Briggers had a spell of activity inside the Frickley penalty area in the 15th minute, but Harold dealt with the danger by punching clear. At the other end, Shay Evans-Booth delivered two crosses in quick succession around the 20th minute, although neither produced a clear opportunity.

5 minutes later, Evans-Booth came much closer, meeting a delivery with a superb header that looked destined for the net until the Worsbrough stopper intervened with an decent save.

The Blues would not have to wait much longer to break the deadlock. In the 27th minute, Kilner picked out Grist, who drove purposefully towards goal before shooting. The attempt squeezed through the keeper’s legs and into the net to give The Blues a 1-0 lead. It was a particularly satisfying moment for the former Briggers player, who had made an immediate contribution against his old club.

Worsbrough looked for a response, but Harold Esjangue was alert to the danger in the 33rd minute, racing off his line to make a vital block with his legs. The hosts then fired wide from around 20 yards in the 40th minute, before Harold safely gathered a free kick shortly afterwards.

In first half stoppage time, a Darker-esque Exocet of a throw in by Evans-Booth found Radz, whose header narrowly cleared the crossbar. HT 1-0.

The Blues were immediately put under pressure after the restart, with Worsbrough finding m two free headers inside the penalty area. Harold tidied up the situation, however, to preserve the lead.

Harold then produced what was arguably the outstanding save of the evening in the 51st minute. A Worsbrough throw in flicked off a Frickley head and fell invitingly for a one of their forwards lurking at the back post. With the attacker shooting from point blank range, Harold pulled off a remarkable reflex save to keep the ball out.

The Briggers continued to threaten from set pieces, and in the 58th minute a header from a corner was heading towards goal before Harold got down smartly to smother it, amid claims from the hosts that it had crossed the line.

The Blues looked to restore some attacking momentum 2 minutes later. Kilner took a knock while making a clearance towards Price, who subsequently delivered a cross into the area. Cable connected with a header but could only direct it wide of the target.

Worsbrough remained dangerous, sending a cross-cum-shot onto the top of the net in the 62nd minute, before Evans-Booth made way for Cleggy.

Another of The Azzurri’s recent recruits almost took the chance make his mark in the 66th minute. Lloydy nipped in ahead of the home defence and rounded the goalkeeper, but could not get the ball under control sufficiently to finish. A recovering defender managed to get back and make the tackle before the danger could be converted into a second goal.

Worsbrough headed over in the 70th minute. This was followed by further changes from The Blues as Price and Cable were replaced by Henley Walker and Humphreys.

The home side then appealed for a penalty in the 74th minute after a player went to ground inside the box. A 7.2 from the Russian judges did little to sway the ref, and play continued without further consequence for The Blues.

In the 77th minute The Azzurri delivered the decisive blow. Humphreys battled his way around the fullback before pulling the ball back into the path of Grist, who unleashed a powerful finish from 12 yards, through a sea of legs.

Lloydy was subsequently replaced by Wright, before Bell entered the action in midfield in place of Grist whose contribution had proved central to the outcome.

The Blues continued to look for further opportunities in the closing stages. In the 88th minute, Wright delivered a cross which Walker glanced narrowly wide with a header. Cleggy then tested the Worsbrough keeper with a free kick in the 90th minute, forcing him to push the ball away. FT 0-2.

Even without the players that have moved on (to us) Worsbrough were  still an obviously decent side who were challenging throughout, making this a quality win. And with 7 points from a possible 12, The Mozazoic era continues in a most promising fashion.

WEBMASTER MOTM – it was a cool headed performance that did much to take the sting out of the home side on a highly charged evening. I could make a case for anyone as motm but special commendations go to Tom Radley and Joel Spence, they were immense, and Lloyd Smith, buzzing around the WBA defence. And Sam Kilner, in one of his first games back after injury (like Radz), did as much as anyone to preserve that clean sheet. But the Glitterball goes to a pair of crucial contributors at opposite ends of the pitch, Keelan Grist and Harold Edjangue. Grist’s incisive brace provided the goals, but Harold’s important saves were equally significant in getting the W.

VOLUNTEERS’ MOTM – Joel Spence and Tom Radley were chosen by a majority of the Blues volunteers at the game. Well done, gentlemen!

An amazing 410 through the gate, Worsbrough’s biggest crowd of the season so far, with a big turnout from The Grand Palatinate of SESKU. We thank you for your legendary support!

To hear the thoughts of the assistant gaffer, Rhys Meynell, click here.

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

To see the matchday programme, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 17th October when Rossington Main are our visitors to The Wezzie, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD