Official Frickley Athletic Website 

Frickley lost their first pre-season friendly as they went down to a narrow defeat against Barrow on a hot and humid afternoon. Steve Richards brought in goalkeeper Mark Samways, central defender Paul Foot, who played against the Blues last Saturday for Bridlington Town, and midfielder Simon Collins, whose most recent club was Macclesfield Town. Up front Craig Marsh partnered Ian Edge for the first 45 minutes with Gary Duffty and Adam Russell replacing them at half time.

Barrow had the best of the first half with Steve Housham forcing Mark Samways to save his 12 yard shot after just 4 minutes. The visitors continued to look dangerous up front with Frickley creating little and it cam as no surprise when Barrow took the lead on the half hour. Some good play through the middle saw Grant Holt find the impressive Housham in space in the box and he scored easily from 10 yards. Three minutes later it could have been two as a long ball from the back dropped over Mark Ogley and fell kindly to Carl Waters but he screwed his effort wide from around 10 yards.

With Duffty and Russell now up front the Blues looked more lively. On 46 minutes Adam Russell saw his header from 15 yards easily saved by Simon Bishop before the Blues drew level a minute later. Matt. Russell broke down the right before threading the ball through to Duffty who advanced on goal and then squared to the unmarked CHRIS GOWEN who sidefooted in front 8 yards. Barrow hit back with Neil Doherty turning Foot inside out and then dragging his angled shot inches wide of the right hand post. Mark Wilkinson then pushed a 20 yarder from Housham round the post before Holt notched Barrow's second goal on the hour mark.

The Blues hit back as Adam Russell found some space on the right of the box. He knocked the ball into the danger area but Duffty was unable to divert it goalbound. On 64 minutes Duffty seized on a loose ball on the edge of the box and hit a low shot which Bishop did well to turn round the post. Bishop was again called into action 8 minutes later when he saved a dipping 25 yard effort from Collins. The last chance of an equaliser came on 83 minutes when Collins sent Duffty away down the left. His cross was knocked down by Collins inside the box to Adam Russell whose effort was scrambled round the post. From the corner Matt. Wilkinson, Collins and Russ White all had shot charged down.

Frickley Athletic : Samways (Mark Wilkinson 45), M. Russell (White 53), Gowen, Foot (Jones 85), Ogley, Jones (Matt. Wilkinson 67), Hanby, Collins, Marsh (A. Russell 45), Edge (Duffty 45), Gregory.

Barrow : Bishop, Rodgers, Maxfield, Hall, Hulme, Gaughan, Housham, Roberts, Duerden, Bullimore, Doherty. Subs. Holt, Turnbull, Waters, Lowe.