Forty seconds to dash hopes

Source: South Yorkshire Times

Published Date: 24 February 2010
UNIBOND LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 0
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER 2
A GOAL after 40 seconds effectively ended the Blues' hopes in the war of the roses clash with FC United and ensured the danger of relegation still looms large.
The returning Adam Lee had given Frickley's survival hopes a massive boost in midweek when he fired in a 90th minute winner against Worksop Town but the former Goole AFC man could do little to prevent his side from suffering defeat to United.

In fact it was only some stout defending that prevented the Blues from suffering a greater defeat at Westfield Lane.

The clash was in its extreme infancy when Carlos Roca's cross from the left was latched onto by Simon Carden, and although Adam Nicklin blocked the initial effort, Ben Deegan rammed in the rebound at the far post.

Jonathan Groome really should have equalised a minute later but blazed over and it needed some cool defensive work by Steve Heath to keep United in reach as he dispossessed Carden and Deegan in good positions.

Lee had a 20 yard free-kick well saved by visiting keeper Sam Ashton just after the break and Grant Normington had a couple of efforts blocked as the Blues resumed strongly.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the break with Roca having a shot well saved by Nicklin before Kyle Wilson slotted in their second goal after 66 minutes.

New arrival from North Ferriby Alistair Benson came on as sub and should have reduced the arrears three minutes later, scuffing his shot across the face of goal after a free kick by Chris White had been flicked on by Heath.

Frickley did make a spirited attempt in the closing stages. White had an angled shot blocked on the line the 78th minutes, while Lee ran onto a through pass in stoppage time but fired straight at the keeper.

The result leaves the Blues just four points clear of second bottom though they still hold a game in hand over Worksop who they triumphed 2-1 over thanks to Lee's late goal and White's 30 yard strike.
Frickley visit Hucknall Town on Saturday before hosting Whitby Town on Tuesday evening.

* THE BLUES celebrate their centenary year at the start of the 2010/11 season and is running a competition for supporters to design a new club badge to be used for the milestone campaign.

Entries should be no larger than A4 paper while using only the club's colours of blue, white and gold on a circular, diamond, square of shield shape..

Entries should be sent by post to Frickley Centenary Badge Competition, 1, Princess Avenue, South Elmsall, Pontefract WF9 2 QU, or handed in to the club shop at the Tech5 Stadium on match days.