Liversedge 2-0 Frickley Athletic

Liversedge 2-0 Frickley Athletic

Northern Premier League Division One (East)

Saturday 5th February 2022

A series of squandered early chances is what prevented Frickley Athletic from picking up any points in this difficult away day at top-of-the-table Liversedge.

The Blues (wearing green) couldn't be faulted for their effort and testament to that is the fact that, despite having only recorded one win in 17 matches, they were given a standing ovation at the final whistle.

However, profligacy was costly, as they squandered no fewer than four gilt-edged opportunities inside the opening quarter-hour - testing the 'keeper only twice which came with a 'double' save in the same attack, and had they buried just one of those openings, it might have paved the way for something different and an unlikely outcome.

Instead, having rode their luck, Liversedge quickly went down the other end and went 1-0 up as Nick Walker's low free-kick bounced up on the edge of the six-yard box and seemed to go straight through Jordan Pierrepont between the posts for Frickley.

Another 'sitter' was missed immediately after the opener as the visitors sought an instant response and, thereafter, the rest of the game was scrappy, tentative, physical and very shy of the same kind of goalmouth action which the opening exchanges was filled with. Rain, wind and a sloping pitch which cut up (to a good extent) as the game progressed paved the way more for some seriously muddy kits rather than outstanding quality, though a handful of players did put in decent individual showings.

Despite a lot of commitment, endeavour and some sturdy defending to remain just one goal behind, Frickley lacked a spark whenever they got the ball further forward (notably, the gaps between the midfield and forward line during attacks often huge meaning any second balls were easily just 'gobbled up' and cleared by the home defence), Liversedge eventually put the result beyond doubt when Walker bagged his second goal in the final minute to seal three more points which keeps them in the hunt for promotion to the Northern Premier League (Premier Division).

Whilst it was three points which Liversedge 'ground out' in horrible conditions to a large extent, part of that was down to the way which Frickley defended.

Following an initial shaky opening quarter-of-an-hour where he got beat a couple of times, Bobby Faulkner (on loan from Doncaster Rovers) got to grips with things as the afternoon progressed. He competed admirably in aerial duels, won every one of about half-a-dozen tackles during the second period, was strong in his tackling, made a crucial interception inside his own six-yard box before half-time, was vocal and not afraid of speaking to others and voicing what was needed. He even blocked a hard shot with his 'delicate area' from relatively close-range in the latter stages which has to hurt - even more so on a wet and cold day, yet he just got straight up and 'got on with things' as Liversedge still had the ball in a dangerous position, rather than going down like many 'softer' players would.

He deserves plaudits for how he performed and also with how his efforts were noticed by virtue of his 'Man Of The Match' award in Frickley's last game against Yorkshire Amateur. Aged 17, he's only going to get better, become stronger, improve his positioning and understanding of the game, and what this performance proved beyond doubt is that he's a hard b*stard (which I know anyway) who can compete comfortably against the very top of what this division has to offer!

He's got a couple more games at Frickley before his loan deal is up for renewal against Stocksbridge Park Steels in midweek followed by a trip to Sheffield FC next Saturday, and if he's able to show the same characteristics and defensive resolve - and it's matched by some better finishing further up the pitch, then the Blues should chuck together some much-needed points to ease any worries that may be building up about a relegation battle!