The Azzurri were almost as relentless as the torrential rain as they hit five in this feisty affair against a dogged Harworth Colliery side.
The Oranges started well, with a couple of attempts on goal from range, keeping the Blues’ scratch defence on their toes early on.
Once the Boys in Blue started to hit their stride though, the chances came. Sam Cable, Ollie Russon and JB had their efforts saved or cleared off the line.
It took until the 20th minute before the Blues could open the scoring, good work by Haze and JB set up Pugh who cracked his angled drive in off the post.
Harworth did serve notice of intent when they put the ball in the net a few minutes later but it was ruled offside. They made no such mistake in the 31st minute, the Oranges’ Alex Irwin hitting a speculative one from distance and caught Jackson off his line to equalise.
The Blues then showed the sort of response to conceding that you want to see with two goals in two minutes. Sam Cable whipped in a 34th minute cross for Jack Mc to turn into the net for 2-1.
Then Haze fizzed the ball across goal for JB to slot home to make it 3-1, two minutes later.
Les Bleus might have made it four just before the break but Jack Mc’s cross just evaded Haze as he steamed in at the back stick. HT 1-3.
The Oranges of Harworth had barely finished their half time oranges before the Azzurri definitely had made it four in the 48th minute. A delightful touch by Jack Mc to Sam Cable, Sam charged at goal, his shot was saved but the rebound fell to Ollie Russon to smash it into the top corner.
The scoreline stayed at 4-1 for the next half an hour. Despite several substitutions which can cause preseason games to peter out, the Blues maintained their intensity in the face of lively resistance from Harworth. Jacko had to get down bravely to save at the striker’s feet in the 51st minute. And Haze created more dangerous opportunities, including a header for Hogg – another cleared off the line, but ultimately they didn’t trouble the scorers.
Numero cinco arrived in the 78th minute, Jack Mc, again showing sublime skill, nudged the ball into the path of the onrushing JB who dispatched his shot past the despairing keeper.
Kyle Simpson still fancied more and went on a lung-busting box to box run, laying on a chance for Jack Mc but the Harworth keeper was equal to the shot. FT 1-5.
Win, lose or draw, it was only a preseason friendly and results are meaningless, of course. It could also be pointed out that Craig Spink’s former club, Harworth, are 3 steps below Frickley, however, they’re a good physical side who went toe to toe with the Blues and were very quick on the counter attack. But when all is said and done, the game was a very watchable one considering the conditions, the Azzurri played some super football and there were encouraging signs aplenty. Spinky’s smile was unsurprisingly ear to ear.
WEBMASTER MOTM – Everyone played well, simple as. It was another makeshift defence but Luke Hogg and Liam Carrick at its heart, were sound. Joel Fiern and Jonny Pugh apparently aren’t fullbacks but you wouldn’t have known it, based on this display, Pugh was particularly marauding and his goal was a peach. Brad Mears and Kyle Simpson came on in the second half and ensured there was no let up. Jacko (and Lewis Bowring on as sub) had little to do in goal but he largely did what he needed to do, very well indeed. In midfield, JB was back to his Duracell best, with two top goals too, and Ollie Russon wasn’t far behind. Anchoring midfield was Nenad, he was simply a machine, we may have a new Rolls Royce on our hands here. It was brill to see Jed Wilkinson make his return as well. Thank goodness for the rain coz the front three were on fire. Haze and Sam gave a masterclass in wing play whilst Jack Mc showed himself to be a serious baller, full of vision and attacking menace. So a final decision? The Glitterball goes to Haze, no, Jack Mc, no, Nenad, no, no, Sam, JB, Jonny Pugh, oh hang on, it goes to the whole squad (don’t judge me) for such good individual and team performances!! Well done, all!
Despite the downpours, the crowd was mainly of a South Elmsall persuasion. Huge thanks for your keen support. We’re on the road again at Hyde on Saturday, 3pm ko. As ever, we hope to see you all there.
