Frickley U23s 3
i2i City 1

So last night was the denouement of the U23s season – would there be any last act drama, akin to Troilus & Cressida or Rosencrantz & Guildenstern???

Well, no, not really……the Young Azzurri did what they’ve been doing for most of the season, taking the 3 points without any drama. Displaying the gimlet-eyed efficiency of a surgeon, wearing the opposition down in the 1st half & turning up the afterburners in 2nd half. The classic mixture of graft & craft, 2 textbook poachers goals followed by a 45 yard free kick.

The final home game of season for the young Frickley side, as they entertained i2i City, another evening when 8 of the starting 11 were U18 – just take a moment to think about that……

This season has definitely been a transition season with the aim to promote players from the Frickley academy system along with a few more experienced players to try to maintain previous years success.

A potential top 3 league finish will be a fitting testament to the quality of all the players that have played this season, the future is very bright (see the update at the bottom of this report)

In a very tight even 1st half we just edged it with chances created, Bailey Cowsell had 2 shots well saved, Jordan Barnett had a sweet left foot strike tipped around the post & Ben Jennings superbly crossed for Tom Cotson to head inches over the bar.

Defenders Tyler Sheard, James Nicklin, Owen Moule & Ben Jennings were all standing tall to any i2i half chances created, along with Alfie Denton who calmly dealt with any long range efforts on his goal.

0-0 half time.

Whatever was in the half time Jaffas worked immediately as the youthful home side looked determined to finish the season in style, when we scored 2 quick goals in the opening 10 mins.

Firstly the talented Harry McCudden fired home from close range after good work from Bailey Cowsell & Jordan Barnett & then Captain Fantastic Tom Cotson fired a thunder bolt shot from outside the box which the visiting goal keeper couldn’t hold & inform Bailey Cowsell fired home the rebound from close range – a couple of classic poachers / fox in the box goals

Midfielders Sam Yates, the talented Freddie Dale along with Tom Cotson were now controlling the game & young Freddie was fouled mid way in the i2i half which resulted in a free kick being awarded. Up stepped experienced defender Owen Moule to deliver an in swinging cross to put more pressure on the visitors defence, his strike was misjudged by the advancing GK, which unfortunately for him saw the ball find the net from over 40 yards 3-0 to the home side, with 20 mins left. Unfortunate for the young opposition keeper but the rest of us loved it!!

Game over you would have thought but credit to i2i they never gave up and scored the goal of the game when a left wing cross was superbly headed home 3-1 with 10 mins to go. The Young Blues decided that that wasn’t going to happen again & they managed the game very well to see time out & record a deserved 3 points.

The Paul Mann Of The Match went to Tom Cotson who was superb through out, involved in everything all game, an outstanding midfield performance. Well done Tom 👏

As an aside, Tom has been excellent all season – skippering the team with a maturity way beyond his years.

As another aside, all the players involved with the 23s this season have given us some superb football to watch again – matching standards set by The Invincibles 4 seasons back – & that is very high praise indeed

Big thank you to our Media Team for their outstanding coverage again this season!!

UPDATE – we were due to have 1 fixture still to play but we have been awarded the 3 points & the game will not now take place. This means that we have finished joint 3rd in the league, tied on points & goal difference. 1 more point & we would have finished 2nd in the league. That’s quite the achievement in a league which is full of academy teams on scholarships who train & play full time

So extremely well done to the boys who have pulled on the blue shirt over the season – & a MASSIVE MASSIVE thank you to Martin & Tony & Paul & Bob for getting them to play with smiles on their faces which in turn put smiles on our faces