With the league title sewn up & with some of these boys regularly playing games on Saturdays & Sundays, the Young Azzurri could have been forgiven for getting the deckchairs & flip flops out last night – they’ve earned it.
NAH!!! They went out & played like it was the most important game of the season & like their lives depended on it – typified by Ross Nowodny, who is like a pitbull in blue & white. In the 70s & early 80s, every team had a Ross Nowodny in defence – never shirks a tackle & lets the opposition know that he’s around early on. But our Ross isn’t a dirty player – he’s one of the sweetest tacklers you will meet – but he’s hard as nails & the boy has got a pass on him too.
So came the visit of 2nd in the table Taddy Albion, for what (on paper) could be a tough fixture…..
But we made it 12 wins from 13 games, still unbeaten, as we beat them 4-0.
The performance was a little bit below par for the standards they have set all season but still they managed to run away worthy winners with their overall dominance of possession and chances created on the night.
Josh Haigh opened the scoring in the opening 15mins when he got on the end of a superb Ross Nowodny cross (told you didn’t I….) from the right after exchanging passes with the talented Wade Ripley. The visitors were unfortunate to go behind as they had settled better without causing stand in goal keeper Brandon Fearn too much concern in the opening half hour. Frickley slowly started taking control and probably against the run of play scored a great second goal when Harry Alexander combined with Josh Haigh to cross into the box to find the inform Charlie Clegg who skilfully turned on the edge of the 6 yarder to fire into the bottom corner 2-0 to the hosts.
George Bland & Nathan Fletcher were solid as a defensive pairing with Callum Beaumont & Lee Jordan providing the protection in midfield which allowed Ben Ellison-Tope to push forward and make his usual telling & powerful runs which were a constant threat all night.
17 years old Taine Clement was introduced with half hour to go along with Mason Kilmartin and these two provided fresh energy, with Taine scoring a well deserved 1st goal for the Azzurri when he fired home from inside the box after good work from Wade Ripley – the Bretton Baggio was again unplayable at times. Josh Cummins, Will Handley & Ryan Clements were all introduced and the improved second half performance continued when Josh Cummins burst through to see his left foot shot saved superbly by the visiting keeper but he reacted magnificently to smartly fire home the rebound with his right foot to score our 4th goal. The hosts were now playing their usual free flowing football & Will Handley saw a curling effort tipped round the post, Josh Haigh somehow missed an open goal after a great cross from Wade Ripley.
Final score finished 4-0 to the so far unbeaten league champions & the Bob Smith Man Of The Match went to outstanding Josh Haigh (pictured – this was the closest anyone got to him all night!!) who gave his usual hardworking skilful performance.
Special mention has to go to stand in keeper Brandon Fearn who kept his 3rd clean sheet – unbelievable effort well done – rumour is he went straight out clubbing in his kit as it didn’t have a mark on it, such was the dominance of our defence
So the record so far for this season in competitive league matches:
P13 W12 D1 L0 F55 A11 – & one of those 11 goals against was a very dubious penner at Ilkley that cost us our perfect record – which means that we are averaging 4.23 goals scored per game & 0.84 goals conceded per game. WHAT A TEAM!
The battle for top scorer is going to the wire:
Josh Haigh 11
Charlie Clegg 11
Wade Ripley 9
Here’s the league table – it looks lovely doesn’t it!
Right, you’ve got one more chance to come & watch these boys in league action – we will be hosting Hemsworth, hopefully next week, date TBC. Please come along & support them if you can, they deserve your support & you won’t be disappointed. This bunch of players is pretty special
