So our U23s saw their first action of 2025 after an extended break of more than 4 weeks as they hosted Yorkshire Ams at the Wezzie. The boys looked a little rusty at first – most noticeably our usually reliable sharpshooters up top. They were still shooting but not quite as sharply as they normally do.
It felt like it was going to be one of those nights when despite all our best efforts we weren’t going to get anything from the game. But as we approached the denouement, cometh the hour cometh the man!! It looked like it was going to take something special for us to get back on terms…..& luckily we had something special – Super Danny Selwood!!!
Back in a blue shirt for the first time in 2 years, having broken his leg playing for the Young Azzurri – with 5 minutes to go, he stepped up out of defence & pinged one into the onion bag from the edge of the box. Welcome back soldier!!
A very wise man (I think it was the mighty Pat McGuire) once said to us “a good team finds a way to get something out of games like these” – & although we were probably disappointed not to take the 3 cherries, the boys added battle & graft to their undoubted skill & creativity to find a way to make sure that Martin & Tonys record of only losing 2 games in 2 & a half seasons remained intact
We had 16 years old Elliot Hume making his debut in the centre of defence (& he immediately impressed the Media Team) who slotted in at the side of the returning Ryan Clements and we started the brighter playing some lovely football on a tricky playing surface.
But unfortunately we couldn’t convert any of our 1st half chances, the majority were created through the talented Joe Cooney, strikers Josh Haigh, Bailey Cowsell & Harry Alexander all failed to score when in good positions.
Then the inevitable happens, Yorkshire Ams scored after half an hour with their 1st attempt on goal, a loose pass in midfield saw the ball find the opposition striker who had time to turn & fire into the bottom corner from the edge of box.
To be fair to our opponents they finished the 1st half the stronger & should have increased their lead just before half time but a combination of a good save from Dylan Sefton & a incredible goal line clearance from full back Ben Jennings.
Second half was much the same as the 1st with the home side pushing for an equaliser & hopefully then going on to score the winner. Young midfielders Tom Cotson & Tyler Sheard were at the heart of everything for Frickley with the width provided by fullbacks Wilfey Woodham (who good form has seen him sign on with the 1st team) & Ben Jennings.
The visitors GK was having an inspired game dealing with everything that was thrown at him, subs Dwight Addai & Joe Wilson both had good chances to score but were thwarted by two great saves, after great work from Bailey Cowsell & Joe Cooney again.
Another sub introduced half way through the 2nd half was Danny Selwood, who was returning after a 2 year absence following a bad leg break. Everyone was at the club was overjoyed to see Danny back playing after a long &, at times, tough recovery, he slotted straight back into the centre of defence.
As time was running out and it looked like Frickley wouldn’t find a way past the impressive visiting GK, it was obviously going to take something special to beat him. And what a special moment it was. Super Danny Selwood had been pushed up front for the last 5 mins to add another body down the middle and he managed to turn on the edge of a crowded box to fire past an unsighted visiting keeper.
Unbelievable for the Young Azzurri & for Danny, what a fitting return to the side, welcome back Danny !!!
The game finished 1-1 which the home side definitely deserved & on another day they probably would have taken all 3 points if they had taken 1 or more of their chances created.
The Paul Mann MOTM went to 17 years old Ben Jennings who was outstanding at full back, defensively strong & a constant threat going forward, well done Ben !!!
