Official Frickley Athletic Website 

In a tight game of few chances the Blues fought out a goalless draw with local rivals Bradford Park Avenue in front of the second highest crowd of the season (even allowing for Bradford bringing 100-150, where are the other 300 the rest of the time?)

The Blues started with the same eleven for the third game in a row, with the only change on the subs bench being Mark Place replacing Mark Ogley. Bradford started strongly with the Blues being forced to clear off the line from Calcutt in only the third minute. Almost immediately Matt Russell broke clear of the offside track down the left and crossed with the outside of his right foot towards Andy Evans but a defender managed to clear the danger. Avenue still failed to clear properly with Leroy Chambers taking the ball away from 'keeper Montgomery but his cross into the middle was cleared. Montgomery then smothered a low 18 yard shot from Rob Hanby before Mark Wilkinson was forced to palm away a header from Stansfield following a corner and just seconds later (20 mins) the same player flashed a header just wide of Wilkinson's right hand post. Four minutes later Calcutt got round Chris Gowen before crossing to the unmarked Hayward who looked odds-on to score from close range but Wilkinson pulled off a fantastic reaction save to deny him. Avenue continued to look dangerous with Lindley hitting a looping half volley which dropped just inches over the bar on 32 minutes. Towards half time the Blues started to push forwards more and on 45 minutes Rory Prendergast broke clear as he latched on to a good ball by Chambers only to be brought down outside the box by Quinn who was booked for his trouble. In fact, Quinn was lucky to be still on the field as earlier he had deliberately obstructed Chambers who would otherwise have had a clear run at goal but on that occasion he was only spoken to by the referee.

The start of the second half saw the visitors again force more of the pressure and on 56 minutes Steve Price did well to dispossess Hayward as he shaped to shoot from 10 yards. Gary marrow introduced Graham Lewis in place of Evans to change things around whilst Mark Place then replaced Gary Reece Chances were much more few and far between during the second half. So much so that the next effort on goal acme on 74 minutes when Prendergast forced a corner down the left. This was only half cleared as far as Collins but his angled drive flew over the bar from 15 yards. Two minutes later a great tackle by Dean Jones prevented Maxwell from sprinting clear as both of them chased a long ball. Then, on 80 minutes, Chambers turned well down the right of the box to chip the ball to the far post but Collins was just unable to reach it. The last effort of note came three minutes later when Collins put a 25 yard free-kick over the bar.

In the end a draw was probably a fair result with Avenue having more of the play but the Blues coped admirably with their pressure but just couldn't force their way through the Avenue defence when they got the chance.

Bradford Park Avenue : Montgomery, Quinn, James, Lindley, Stansfield, Thompson, Hancock, Benn, Hayward, Maxwell, Calcutt. Unused subs. Richards, Daly.

Attendance : 447

Referee : Mr Robert Pashley (Clowne)