Last time out the Young Blues made it Magnificent 7 (wins on the bounce) but they couldn’t quite make it a Straight 8 as they dropped their 1st points of the season as they were held to a very entertaining score draw away at Ilkley Town.
The hosts were fast out of the blocks and scored with a long range effort which caught the visitors napping in the 1st couple of minutes, Frickley settled and started to create several half chances.
Mid way through the 1st half the visitors were level when George Bland won a defensive header which found Callum Beaumont who superbly fed Josh Haigh who skillfully lobbed the home GK to score an outstanding goal. Frickley were now pushing to take the lead and the hard working Jordan Kershaw (pictured) on debut had several good chances to score after some great build up play from Issac Jeffreys & Charlie Clegg. Unfortunately it was the home side that scored the 2nd goal when they broke away at pace down the left and ultimately out numbered Frickley in the box, Lewis Fox saved the 1st shot but had no chance with the follow up shot.
2nd half was mostly Frickley pressure, but they had to be wary of the quick counter attacks from the talented opponents, Jordan Kershaw was a constant threat through out and forced the keeper into several fine stops one particular one which the keeper tipped onto the post. With 10mins left it looked like it wasn’t going to be the visitors night, then the hard working Josh Haigh hit the post and then the impressive Callum Beaumonts shot was deflected in by Lee Jordan, it probably needed a goal like that to beat the impressive home keeper.
Frickley now went in search of a winner and Mo El Sayed crossed for Jordan Kershaw to smash home a potential winner, a goal he had been threatening all game and he fully deserved his Man Of The Match award on his debut. The visitors had 5 mins to hang on for another hard fought 3 points but the impressive left winger for Ilkley who had a really good game, cut in from the wing and was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Penalty awarded and he dusted himself down and smashed the ball into the top corner very impressively, tough one to take but for a team that had only won 1 game so far they certainly gave a good account of themselves. Frickley being down 2-1 with 10mins to go probably would have taken a point but to take the lead and be in front it does feel like 2 points dropped.
A very entertaining game for the neutral and well done to Ilkley Town for contributing and fighting right to last minute.
Once again we would like to say a massive thank you to NestledIn for sponsoring the U23s kit for the rest of the season
Next match
Monday 20th February away to Doncaster Elite
