Our U23s vs Yorkshire Amateur U23s – a brief match report

Yorkshire Ams U23s 0
Frickley U23s 5

As mentioned previously our Young Azzurri have been in a rich vein of form recently – but that was playing on the hallowed turf of the Wezzie. Could they do it on a chilly Spring evening in Chapel Allerton though – well yes, yes they could & very nicely thank you.

Martin & Tony & the Bootroom continue to prove Alan Hansen wrong. Yet another very young squad but they delivered yet another very mature, intelligent performance – graft with craft – playing excellent football, digging in when they had to & not getting drawn in to it when the opposition tried to ‘get a bit naughty’

Strong performances from 1-17 (that’s their shirt numbers not their ages BTW!) but I want to single out Bailey Cowsell for a special mention – usually he’s the Fox In The Box but last night he played quite a lot deeper & wider & subsequently became the ‘Assist-meister’, at least 3 of the goals came from his delivery – doing what his team needed, great effort. Having said that, everyone deserves a special mention

Frickleys Young Guns were on their travels last night after 3 consecutive home games as they travelled to Leeds to play Yorkshire Amateurs, a tough encounter was anticipated.

A difficult playing surface (& that’s being kind….) & strong opponents saw the first half being a really tight affair as we initially struggled to come to terms with the conditions. We did however take the lead midway through the 1st half when Wilfey Woodham played a through ball which caused havoc in the opposition defence & a poor clearance played in Joe Wilson who skillfully skipped past the advancing keeper to slot the ball into the empty net (those dancing feet are lovely to watch)

This resulted in the home side responding with several long range efforts & corners as they looked to equalise, young defenders Ben Jennings, James Nicklin & Lincoln Gleadall were all performing heroics along with goalkeeper Dylan Sefton who tipped a couple of efforts over his bar. Midfielders Tom Cotson, Tyler Sheard & Skipper Harry Alexander were all working hard breaking up play & trying to create things at the other end of the pitch. Bailey Cowsell did have a half chance just before half time but his effort went just wide.

Half time came with Les Jeunes Bleus leading 1-0 but the hosts had certainly finished the half on top, the visitors had survived several questionable free kicks & an extended period of additional time from the officials.

2nd half saw a masterclass in game management from the young Frickley side, when they weathered the opening 10 mins from the Amateur side as they forcefully tried to get back in the game. Striker Harry McCudden was looking like a great outlet out wide on the right & he superbly cut in to fire a superb low left foot shot that was somehow tipped round the post from the home goal keeper. The resulting corner was delivered by Bailey Cowsell who found Lincoln Gleadall who powered a far post header past the stranded goalkeeper, 2-0 to the visitors.

Bailey was at it again when he crossed (a free kick this time) to the far post for Gleadall who this time headed the ball back across goal for the on rushing Tom Cotson to head home from close range 3-0.

Bailey was becoming the assist king as he now crossed from the other side for substitute Ashton Johnson to score his 1st goal for Frickley U23’s (on his 2nd appearance) with what probably was his first touch when he headed home at the far post (he enjoyed his goal!). 4-0 a remarkable effort for the young Frickley side, they had stood up to everything the home side had thrown at them & simply picked their opponents pockets with some good finishing from equally quality crosses.

Ashton Johnson was making some impression from the bench and he combined with Cowsell (of course) again down the left to cross to debutant Alex Gyekye who unfortunately miss kicked but the ball fell lovely to the impressive Tom Cotson who gleefully fired the ball home into the bottom corner, his 2nd, our 5th; 5-0, wow, what’s the time!!

So many positives again from the away victory from this young Frickley side, showing they can dig deep & battle on a difficult playing surface, stand up to strong opposition while showing great maturity well beyond their years in another very accomplished performance. Outstanding well done 👏

The Bob Smith MOTM was shared between defender Lincoln Gleadall & Tom Cotson – both were outstanding throughout. Lincoln scored a good goal & assisting another but defended strongly at the heart of Frickley’s defence & Tom was at the heart of the midfield battle & scored 2 great goals.

Hopefully we have one more home game v Albion Sports with the date still to be confirmed, watch this space for an announcement.