It pains me to say this, but every now & then you come up against a very good side who beat you – & that was the case last night. i2i Albion are probably the best footballing side I’ve seen in 3 seasons of watching U23s football – apart from our Young Azzurri of course! They pass well & they break quickly – reaping the benefits of playing on a plastic pitch in one of those soulless community hubs.
But our boys were never outplayed or overawed – they gave an excellent account of themselves – the main difference being that Lady Luck smiled on Albion whereas she gave the Young Blues her number in case she was free later in the week….
Both teams put on a great display for us – the Media Box was particularly enamoured with the ferocious, but fair, tackling on show. Some massive block tackles the likes of which you’ve not seen since the 1970s
So, we entertained i2i Albion (the unbeaten league leaders and the only team to beat us this season), & a tough encounter was expected and the game certainly lived up to that with the champions elect running out 4-2 winners.
Frickley could probably consider themselves unlucky as they didn’t deserve to lose but unfortunate errors led the visitors going home with all 3 points.
The home side started the brighter & Harry Alexander (this boy can play BTW) was fouled on the edge of the box only to see his low free kick hit the wall, they then got off to a great start when Joe Wilson played in Josh Haigh who superbly struck a thunderous left foot shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.
The visitors to their credit started to create several good chances & were a real handful at times with their pacy strikers. Midway through the 1st half they equalised when the home side were caught in possession, Dylan Sefton did well to save the 1st shot, only to see the ball rebound to opposing striker to tap home from close range. Lady Luck……
Albion scored again soon after when their left back got a bit of good fortune with the break of the ball but then he curled an unstoppable right foot curling shot into the far top corner 1-2 to the visitors. Here she is again, that LL gets on your nerves some times.
Frickley needed half time with the visitors finishing stronger, unfortunately with literally the last kick of the game after a corner kick to the home side, Albion broke quickly to score their 3rd goal. The referee appeared to forget that he is supposed to restart the game & then blow for half time.
The home side now had a mountain to climb 2nd half against a good side who had finished the half with a 2 goal cushion, the next goal would probably definitely decide the game & this came within the opening 10 mins when the visitors gleefully got their 4th goal with another error, a bad bobble missed clearance found the opposition centre forward with his 2nd open goal tap 1-4 now.
To their credit our boys didn’t feel sorry for themselves, in fact it galvanised them & they bombarded the Albion goal for the final half hour, Harrison Rowley was a real handful when switched down the middle & we had a goal disallowed for offside. Midfielder Tom Cotson, along with both fullbacks Ben Jennings & Wilfey Woodham were all driving the home side forwards. Skipper Harry Alexander hit the crossbar with an inswinger corner. Impressive substitute Dwight Addai (this lad gets you out of your seat when he gets the ball) was causing problems along Joe Cooney who combined for Addai to deservedly score from close range 2-4 15 mins left.
The visitors were under the cosh now Harry Alexander nearly scored a contender for goal of the season when he broke up a short corner in his own box to run full length of the field to find Dwight Addai who passed to the influential Tom Cotson who bounced a pass into the onrushing Alexander who volleyed the ball towards goal only to see the visiting keeper make a great save low down. It would certainly have made for an interesting last 10 mins if the ball had gone in as the talented league leaders were certainly on the ropes.
Ultimately Frickley were made to pay for conceding 2 or 3 sloppy goals but they could certainly hold their heads up high with their second half performance.
The Bob Smith MOTM went to Ben Jennings who was outstanding again at fullback just edging the returning Josh Smith who played really well against a very talented & quick forward line. Other mentions have to go to midfielders Tom Cotson & Skipper Harry Alexander who ran their socks off in midfield and both didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
We dust ourselves down & take the positive onto next week when we entertain 2nd in the league Riasa Bradford so another tough game anticipated. Thursday 20th Feb 7.45pm kick off – get yersens to the Wez, you won’t regret it – & we’re always on the look out for anyone who can help out with match day duties for the 23s games
