Frickley 2 Marske 1

Veni, vidi, vici - they came, they 'scored', we conquered....

On a highly emotional evening, where we gathered to say 'bon voyage' to 2 fallen warriors, both teams served up a highly entertaining game of thrust & parry with Frickley victorious thanks to a Gav Allott pen & a JB Scud Missile header in response to an early 'ghost goal' for the visitors.

There was a resounding & rapturous minutes applause before the game, as we paid homage 2 guys who make this football club the amazing place that it is.

We marked the recent passing of Johnny Scott, lifelong Frickley fan & stalwart of the Frank Hill Stand. I worked with Johnny, briefly, many years ago & when he wasn't bollocking me for being lazy (I was) he was talking about sport in general & Frickley in particular. God bless you John.

We also paid tribute to Mr Frickley, nay Sir Frickley, club legend & one of the nicest blokes I've ever met - Keith Donkin, Donks to me & thee. I said plenty about Keith when he sadly left us in May, all I will add is that there will never, ever be another Keith & the world is a sadder place for that. A large number of his family were present for the game & I felt honoured that they were there to witness what he meant to us. God bless you Keith, god bless you.

Donks also figured in Spens pre-match talk to the players - basically he said "get out there & win it for Keith"

Oh, & there was a bit of football too....

Johno Williams replaced Jack Burton (more of him later) & that aside it was the same team that started against Wisbech on Saturday.

On 4 minutes a free kick was awarded against McGuire, Marske took a long range effort which Hugo partially covered but it squeezed under his body though he did valiantly to reclaim possession of the ball. The referee waved play on, the lineslady indicated it had crossed the line - she clearly has exceptionally good vision as she was at least 15 yards behind play (watch the video). 1 nil Marske.

The Blues took a short while to consolidate but 10 minutes later Tyler Walton had a great chance as he broke the defence & burst into the box but his shot was saved & parried onto the post & cleared. Then Richie Patts sent Gav down the wing & his cross just eluded Haze at the far stick.

It was all attack by the Azzurri at this point but they just couldn't apply the coup de grace - Gav having shots saved, Haze putting a rebound wide & Connor Smith (more of him later) having a long range shot which went just over.

As the half time cups of tea came into view, Gav burst into the box & was chopped down - easy penner award. Big Daddy got up & stuck it in the bottom corner. That was Gavs 117th goal for the club, putting all time joint 5th highest with Alan Compton. It also means that Frickley have now scored for 50 successive games - just WOW!

HALF TIME - FRICKLEY 1 MARSKE 1

More of the same in the early stages of the 2nd half - a corner was headed just over by Gav.

Then came an incident which was to change the whole shape of the game as a Marske defender tried to snap Haze in half - it really was an awful challenge & got the deserved red card. From this Marske shifted from counter-attacking to 9 man defence which made it hard to break down - the bus was well & truly parked! Fares please....

Just short of the half hour, Johno Williams was replaced by JB & he had a chance straight away but a good defensive block cleared the danger. Then Gav had an effort blocked out for a corner & Haze smashed one just over after good work by Jack Burton. Ping pong in the box & a Blue toe got the final touch but it was a touch that took the ball just wide of the post. Were we ever going to get a 2nd goal???

20 minutes to go & Dangerous Dan Palmer replaced Tyler Walton.

5 minutes later & Frickley get a corner - Haze swings over a lovely cross & JB powers an unstoppable header home, a great finish by Jack.

Sam Liversidge replaced RPatts shortly afterwards.

In the 3 added minutes, Gav burst forward but his shot crept narrowly wide & then Connor Smith went on one of his (now trademark) lung bursting length of the pitch breaks into the box, selflessly passes to Haze but his shot was blocked on the line & went out for a corner. That was the sign for the ref to call time on a highly enjoyable, watchable game of footy. Apparently the last time that we won our first 2 games of the season was 1991/92 - don't blame me if that's not right, you know I'm not great with numbers!

WEBMASTER MOTM - a very good team display again. Hugo having a fairly quiet night thanks to a quality defensive display, but he commanded his box when called upon. McGuire was outstanding in midfield & there were times when Gav & Haze were unplayable. But the first home Glitterball of the season goes to, & I'm becoming like a stuck record, Connor 'Zico' Smith. He was exceptional.

225 through the gate, with a good number from Marske, & of course Keiths family joined us. Thank you to everyone who attended & hopefully see you all again on Saturday when we entertain Liversedge in the Emirates FA Cup at the Wezziecana.

Photos courtesy of our good friend Onion Bag

Video courtesy of Frickley Athletic TV You Tube channel - why not subscribe??

Finally, another massive thanks to you all for the way that you delivered the minutes applause for Johnny & Keith