So it came to pass……our Young Azzurri got down to the serious stuff when they started their 24/25 season last night with an 4-1 away win to i2i City.
We had three U17’s in the line up – Wilfey Woodham, Lincoln Gleadall & Tyler Dyer all making their debut’s to go along with Joe Cooney, who joined at the end of last season, in a very youthful starting 11.
To be fair the opening 15mins were very frantic from both sides with chances at either end, Dylan Sefton (another 17 year old) made a great early showing in goal when he made a wonderful save when presented with a 1v1 with the home striker.
Some great combination down Frickley’s right saw us take the lead when Josh Cummins skillfully back heeled a pass to new skipper Harry Alexander who superbly burst past the home defender to fire the ball across to the returning Josh Haigh to score from close range 0-1.
The home side to their credit immediately hit back, and a bursting run through midfield drew our defence out which resulted in a slide rule pass to waiting striker who coolly slotted the ball past Sefton to make it 1-1.
We responded and created several chances, the hard working Bailey Cowsell had a goal bound effort blocked on the line, Harry Alexander rattled the bar after a short corner but the Young Blues regained the lead when Josh Cummins pinched the ball off a i2i defender who was trying to play out from the back to square it to Joe Cooney, who deliciously chipped the stranded keeper to put the visitors back in front just before the break – an outrageous piece of skill (take a bow young man – you want some ketchup on them chips????) – we retake the lead, 2-1.
The 2nd half became the Josh Haigh show as he successfully won & converted 2 penalties to score a great hattrick on his return to the side, 1-4 to the rampant Blues. Frickleys old guard – ‘veteran’ defenders Ross Nowodny & Callum Beaumont – were called out of retirement at the last minute to marshall the defence and ensure a second half clean sheet was achieved. Although they did have to thank young Wilfey Woodham who superbly chased back to divert a certain goal for a corner.
Three more U-17’s were introduced mid way through the second in George Blaydes (who is now approaching veteran status – having played & scored last season!!), but Callum Marshall & Tyler Pegg were both making their debuts and certainly didn’t look out of place, the future is hopefully very bright.
Another debutant was Mamadi Jawara who impressed 2nd half with great energy when he came on at full back, but the player that impressed most was 17 year old Tyler Dyer who was outstanding on debut in midfield & fully deserved his MOTM award (pictured), well done Tyler!!
A mixture of debutants & seasoned ‘vets’ made sure that the home team were never going to be eye to eye (i2i – can you see what I’ve done there??) with a victory
The Young Azzurri are next in action on 3rd October as we host Farsley Celtic U23s at the Wez – everyone welcome
