Blues’ cup clash with FC United of Manchester postponed

 Source: Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express

 FRICKLEY Athletic’s Doodson Sport Cup clash with FC United of Manchester, scheduled to take place tomorrow night, has been postponed.

A statement on the Blues’ official site says the match has been postponed “due to the amount of snow and ice on the pitch.”

A new date for the clash has already been arranged for Tuesday, February 14 at the Tech5 Stadium (kick-off 7.45pm).

Blues blown away by FC United of Manchester in FA Trophy

 Source: Hemsworth and Southelmsall Express

 FRICKLEY Athletic were blown out of the FA Trophy at the first qualifying round stage on Saturday when freescoring FC United of Manchester made light work of the Blues to win 4-0 at the Tech5 Stadium.

Michael Carr scored two goals while Carlos Roca and an Adam Jones own goal saw the visitors through to the next round and give Karl Marginson’s men a second win over the Blues in ten days.

It was a day to forget for Frickley, who also saw Leon Henry sent off.

Danny Walsh was sidelined with flu, meaning manager Peter Rinkcavage lined-up with five men in midfield, Jack Watts being the sole striker.

The hitman had the first chance on goal in the fifth minute but his shot lacked power and James Spencer, in the United goal, comfortably collected it.

James Ashmore also saw his free-kick cleared off the line as the Blues started brightly, but the visitors slowly found their way into the game.

United had the wind in their favour and they broke the deadlock with their first real shot on goal after 20 minutes. The Frickley defence failed to deal with a cross and Carr pounced for his first of the afternoon.

Before the Blues defence could recover it was 2-0, Roca whipping a free-kick in which Adam Jones could only divert into the back of the net at the far post.

Things could have got worse just after the half-hour mark but Roca, who was brought down inside the box, saw his penalty well saved by Frickley stopper Adam Billard.

Frickley’s goal remained under siege and there was better fortune was Roca ten minutes later when his free-kick struck the crossbar but found its way over the line off the back off a diving Billard.

And straight from the restart Frickley’s miserable first half came to an end with Carr nipping in for his second of the match and Henry seeing red for a late tackle on Jake Cottrell on the stroke of half-time.

Chances came at both ends in the second half but the damage had already been done and it was United who progressed into the next round.

Frickley: Adam Billard, Kelvin Bleau, David Cyrus (Brad Grayson 46), Stuart Ludlam, Lincoln Adams, Michael Simpkins, Grant Darley, James Ashmore, Jack Watts (Ollie Ryan 57), Ryan Mallon, Leon Henry. Unused subs: Mark Whitehouse, Karl Jones, Ben Saynor.

FC United: James Spencer, Kyle Jacobs (Greg Stones 55), Lee Neville, Jake Cottrell, Adam Jones (David Chadwick 81), Dean Stott, Carlos Roca, Michael Carr, Mike Norton, Matthew Wolfenden, Astley Mulholland (James Holden 73). Unused subs: Daniel Grimshaw, Nicky Platt.

Referee: Mr Gary Chapman

Attendance: 524.

See this week’s Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for all the latest sports news from around the area.

Published on Monday 24 October 2011 10:51

Blues succumb to FC United of Manchester

 Source: Hemsworth and Southelmsall Express

 FRICKLEY Athletic suffered a second defeat in four days on Tuesday night when FC United of Manchester left South Elmsall with a 3-1 Evo-Stik Premier Division victory.

The Blues slipped to a 1-0 loss at Hednesford Town on Saturday and will go into this weekend’s big FA Cup third qualifying round clash at Gainsborough Trinity on the back of consecutive defeats.

Peter Rinkcavage’s men went behind in unfortunate circumstances early in the second half when Stuart Ludlam turned a Ben Deegan cross into his own goal.

The visitors went for the jugular and doubled their lead just three minutes through Matthew Wolfenden.

It gave the hosts a mountain to climb but they got back into the game on 64 minutes when Brad Grayson reduced the deficit by scrambling the ball over the line from a corner.

But their joy lasted barely a minute when the impressive Deegan fired in his side’s third to send United back across the Pennines with all three points.

Published on Wednesday 12 October 2011 11:22

Blues gear up for FC United of Manchester test

 Source: Hemsworth and Southelmsall Express

 FRICKLEY Athletic boss Peter Rinkcavage will be hoping his Blues side can take inspiration from what’s set to be a bumper crowd at the Tech5 Stadium for the visit of FC United of Manchester on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

The Blues are expecting one of, if not the, biggest crowds of the season in South Elmsall as the Manchester club, backed by their traditionally large following, visit.

Rinkcavage insisted his players “shouldn’t be involved in football” if they couldn’t get up for a game in front of a big crowd at FC Halifax Town last weekend - a game which fell victim of a frozen pitch.

And he’ll be hoping a big gate at Westfield Lane will help steer the Blues to a much-needed three points rather than hinder them.

Frickley sit third-from-bottom in the Evo-Stik Premier Division and will be keen to get points on the board sooner rather than later to avoid an end-of-season relegation battle.

Rinkcavage’s reign started well but the Blues have slumped to four defeats from five games since the turn of the year.

The latest setback came in the League Cup third round on Tuesday night when Division 1 North side Durham City dumped them out of the competition thanks to a 2-0 victory.

Amar Purewal and David Dowson netted the second-half goals to put Durham into the next round to earn a home tie against Bradford Park Avenue.

One plus point to come from the match was the long-awaited return from a broken leg for winger Andy Catton, who made his first start under Rinkcavage.

The Blues’ priority is with the league though, and there’s no better time to kick-start a surge up the table than three points against one of the league’s bigger sides.

Karl Marginson’s men were tipped for promotion this season but impressive runs in cup competitions, in particular the FA Cup where they reached the second round, have made for indifferent form in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Blues fans can expect to see a winner on Saturday, with United the only side to have not drawn a game this season.

They sit mid-table thanks to ten wins and 11 defeats from 21 games so far this season.

But with their priority back on moving up the league, United will be a tough nut to crack for Rinckavage and his men this weekend.

The clash will be the first of two home matches for the Blues in four days, with Whitby Town the opposition at Westfield Lane on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Blues fall to FC United of Manchester defeat

Source: Hemsworth and Southelmsall Express

Published Date:
20 February 2010
By Nick Rigg
Frickley Athletic 0
FC United of Manchester 2

FRICKLEY Athletic couldn't build on their midweek victory at Worksop as in-form FC United of Manchester ran out comfortable winners in the UniBond Premier Division at the Tech5 Stadium.
The visitors, backed by a big following in South Elmsall, got off to the perfect start when Ben Deegan fired them in front with just a minute on the clock.

The Blues battled for a way back into the game but Kyle Wilson doubled the visitors' lead on 66 minutes to send Karl Marginson's men back to Lancashire with maximum points.

The defeat leaves Frickley 17th in the Premier Division and four points above the relegation zone after Ossett Town, who occupy the final relegation spot, saw their clash at Stocksbridge Park Steels postponed due to a frozen pitch.

See Thursday's Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for full match report and reaction.

Blues target FC United of Manchester scalp

Source: Hemsworth and Southelmsall Express

Published Date:
18 February 2010
By Nick Rigg

FRICKLEY Athletic will be looking to secure crucial back-to-back UniBond Premier League wins when they host FC United of Manchester on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
An injury-time Adam Lee winner gave the Blues a first win in seven matches at old foes Worksop Town on Wednesday night to lift them four points clear of the drop zone.

And they'll be looking to secure back-to-back wins for the first time since last October and further ease their relegation fears at the Tech5 Stadium this weekend.

United were in the thick of relegation trouble alongside Frickley not long ago but a run of six games without defeat have seen them shoot up the table.

And although lifted by Wednesday's success at Worksop, boss Billy Heath knows Karl Marginson's men will be a tough nut to crack.

"I think everybody knows they've been in a false position for most of the season and now they're showing what they can do," said Heath.

"They have a massive spending budget and a great support there.

"They're finding a bit of form but we had a good result there not too long back and we'll be looking for a repeat of that on Saturday."

The Blues held United to a 0-0 stalemate at Gigg Lane last month.

The clash across the Pennines was played in front of almost 1,500 fans and Frickley are set for a bumper crowd of their own at the Tech5 Stadium tomorrow.

Blues fans are set to get a first taste of new signings Michael Wood and Ben Chapman, while midweek match-winner Adam Lee is set to keep his place in attack.

See this week's Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for all the latest sports news from around the area.

Blues come through FC United of Manchester test

Source: Hemsworth and Southelmsall Express

Published Date:
28 January 2010
By Nick Rigg
FC United 0
Frickley Athletic 0

FRICKLEY Athletic bounced back from their weekend thrashing at North Ferriby with a share of the spoils at relegation rivals FC United of Manchester last night.
It could have been more for the Blues after the hosts, backed by a support of almost 1,500 inside Gigg Lane, were reduced to ten men in the first half.

But Frickley boss Billy Heath will have been pleased that his men collected their first point of the new year in what he described as a "tough test" before the game.

It also moved the Blues up to 17th and above Matlock Town in the UniBond Premier Division.

Heath introduced 19-year-old defender Charlie Fisher into the Blues defence after signing the youngster on a one-month loan deal from Doncaster Rovers.

Skipper Steve Heath also returned after serving a one-match suspension.

And the visiting defence had to be on their toes in the early exchanges as United looked for an early goal.

Duane Grace was well positioned to divert a Jerome Wright effort over the bar.

Frickley, too, looked dangerous and Danny Walsh came close with a 25-yard drive that was cleared to safety.

The main talking point came on 20 minutes when Adriano Rigogliosio was sent off for the hosts for a crunching tackle on Jonathan Groome.

Groome was forced off through injury and Matty Bloor came on to replace him.

Frickley looked to take advantage of their extra man and came close through Neil Towler and Phil Lindley as chances came at both ends before half-time.

And the goal opportunities continued in the second half, this time Danny Clarke and Chris White coming close for the visitors.

But the hosts could have snatched all the points late on when Wright's deflected effort forced Blues stopper Adam Nicklin into a fine save.

FC United: Ashton, Jacobs (Chadwick 90min), Quistin, Cotterill, Tong, Nugent, Rigogliosis, Carden, Wilson (Yoffe 81min), Wright, Marsh ( Deegan 70min). Subs not used: Holden, Roca.

Frickley: Nicklin, Fisher, Grace, Walsh, Heath, Lindley (Jones 59min), Clarke, Groome (Bloor 22min), Morris (Palmer 83min), Towler, White. Subs not used: Pierrepont, Moody.

See today's Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for all the latest news, match reports and previews from Frickley Athletic.

Blues to take winning mentality to FC United of Manchester

Source: Hemsworth and Southelmsall Express

Published Date:
26 January 2010
By Nick Rigg
FRICKLEY Athletic boss Billy Heath insists his men will be looking for all three points when they travel to relegation rivals FC United of Manchester tomorrow (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Blues travel to Gigg Lane level on points with United, with both clubs sitting just three points above the UniBond Premier Division relegation spots.

But Frickley won't be taking a defensive mentality with them across the Pennines as Heath looks for a big response from his men following their 5-1 defeat at North Ferriby United on Saturday - their biggest loss of the campaign so far.

"We'll be going there trying to win the game," he said.

"Our plan to go away and play a 4-5-1 formation and look for a draw hasn't really been effective before so we won't be going there to be defensive minded."

Defender Steve Heath returns for Frickley after sitting out a one-match ban, but Lee Booth will be unavailable for selection.

Karl Marginson's men haven't won since Saturday, November 14, a 3-2 win at Hucknall Town.

But Heath thinks the game could well provide a tougher test than their forgettable visit to North Ferriby at the weekend.

He said: "It will be a tough test for us on Wednesday, no doubt about it.

"I think it'll be a tougher test than on Saturday because of the crowd and because of the importance of the game for us."

He continued: "By all accounts they did a number on Stocksbridge at the weekend and were unlucky not to come away with a win."

See Thursday's Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for all the latest Frickley Athletic news, match previews and reports.

Spirited Blues go down to FC United of Manchester

15 March 2009

By Nick Rigg

FC United of Manchester 2
Frickley Athletic 0

A SPIRITED performance from the Blues brought no rewards as FC United of Manchester ran out winners in front of a near-2000 crowd at Gigg Lane.

Blues' boss Billy Heath took a reshuffled pack across the Pennines, with a number of regular first team players out through suspension or injury.

But the Blues' wafer-thin squad went down with a typically spirited and determined performance, being unlucky not to get something to show for their efforts in the second half.

The hosts all-but sealed the win with two goals in 14 first half minutes.

Daniel Warrender opened the scoring on the half hour mark before Simon Carden doubled the Gigg Lane club's advantage just minutes before the interval.

Frickley looked for a way back into the UniBond Premier Division clash on the resumption, and came close to scoring on a number of occasions, but the home defence held firm to collect all three points.

A full match report from the Blues' clash with FC United can be found in Thursday's Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express.