I was unable to make the game – I listened to the mighty Ken Whiteheads excellent Twitter updates – as I was languishing in my plague pit of a bed, delirious, hysterical, sweating profusely, barely able to communicate except for pointing at pictures of food & drink that I needed my current bride to bring me (that’s right, I’ve got cold…) & as I lay there, my limp, wan, unresponsive body ravaged by the man-flu, I thought about the RIASA Helsinki defence being ravaged by Haigh, Hughes & Cowsell
I digress….
Our Young Azzurri continued their unbeaten start to the season with another brave battling team performance against a very spirited RIASA side.
We started the brightest and could / maybe should have taken the lead when Matty Hughes was presented with a great opportunity, but somehow he blasted high & wide. Then it was the turn of his strike partners Bailey Cowsell & Josh Haigh to waste good opportunities, deservedly though we scored when Dylan Sefton cleared up field & Bailey Cowsell continued his great form, that’s 4 goals in the opening 4 game, to hold off the opposing defender to superbly fire a left footed half volley into the far corner.
We were now pushing for a 2nd goal and Matty Hughes broke clear on the right to cross for the talented Bailey Cowsell who superbly brought the ball down on his chest, then skillfully side stepped the on rushing keeper to slot the ball home in to the empty net but somehow a recovering defender cleared it off the line, unbelievable defending !!
Half time 0-1
Straight out of the traps & didn’t have to wait long into the 2nd half to double the lead when Mason Kilmartin pounced on a loose ball to coolly chip the stranded keeper from 25 yards (do you want some ketchup with them chips Killer???)
The neutrals watching would have thought the visitors would push on now and score a few more goals, RIASA didn’t follow that script though and immediately pulled a goal back from a corner.
Defender Josh Smith was unfortunately sin binned for arguing with the referee & we had to dig deep, to keep our discipline & to keep our slender lead.
The 2 goal cushion was restored while only having 10 players on the field, when the influential Harry Alexander crossed from a corner for Tom Cotson to head home at the far post. As we entered the final 10 mins RIASA pulled another goal back after a defensive error, the game was in the balance again the hosts pushing for an equaliser.
Enter Dwight Addai for his debut – & with 15 mins to go he had the dream start when he fired a left footed shot/cross that hit the defenders foot & looped over the keeper into the far corner, game over !!
Credit to our opponents who never game up & made it uncomfortable at times, but thankfully Frickley were not made to pay for our earlier profligacy
The Bob Smith MOTM went to young Tom Cotson (pictured) who was our midfielder maestro, confident in possession, protecting our back four & scoring a great goal (BAGSMAN!!) in an outstanding performance well done young man !!!
Next up we are away to Ilkley (hats recommended) next week – see you there
