Official Frickley Athletic Website 

www.frickleyafc.co.uk

Saturday 13th September - Frickley Athletic 2-0 Burscough

The Blues faced FA Trophy holders Burscough as Westfield Lane this afternoon and ran out comfortable winners following two early goals. Lee Morris, Mark Vickerage and Chris Kamara were all fit to play after shaking off recent injuries, although Kieran O'Brien was still not fit enough whilst Steve Robinson was left out after it was discovered in hospital he had a trapped artery in his head. Stuart Preston, who has been on trial at Huddersfield Town after impressing with the Blues in pre-season, signed last night and came straight into the side.

The Blues took the lead with their first chance of the game on 3 minutes when Burscough goalkeeper David Newnes sliced a back pas from Michael White straight into the path of MORRIS who made no mistake from 12 yards. Five minutes later the lead was doubled as Lee Pugh threaded the ball between two defenders for MARK VICKERAGE to fire past Newnes from the die of the box, with his shot creeping just inside the left hand post. Vickerage then sent over a great cross-field pass from left to right to pick out the run of Kamara who broke into the box but Newnes did well to block his close range effort. The Blues were totally dominant during the first half and went close again on 16 minutes when Morris met Kamara's free-kick with a overhead kick when Newnes got down well to smother. On the half hour Pugh played the ball down the right for Morris whose pin-point cross was met by a first time volley from Vickerage but the young striker's effort clipped the outside of the right hand post. Just before the break Antony Jackson was harshly penalised for a challenge on Gary Martindale after appearing to cleanly win the ball some 25 yards out. The resulting free-kick from Paul Howarth clipped the outside of the left hand post with Mark Samways rooted to the spot. A minute later Burscough threatened again when Jordan Burke's shot on the turn was deflected over for a corner.

Six minutes after half time the Blues should have increased their lead when Preston made a great run from half way to release Morris but his lob over the advancing Newnes just cleared the bar. Dan Sheriffe then replaced Vickerage with Preston moving to partner Morris up front. On 65 minutes Newnes raced out of his area to clear from Morris but his punt was collected by Pugh who sent a first time shot goalwards from 40 yards but the ball drifted wide of the left hand post. Following some intense Blues' pressure Morris played in Kamara with a cheeky back-heel but Newnes brilliantly parried his shot - although Newnes cap did finish in the back of the net! Sheriffe then played a great ball down the left for Preston whose cross to the far post was headed down by Morris but the bounce took it over the bar. The Blues then seemed to take their foot off the pendal as Burscough came into the game. On 75 minutes Kris McHale sent over a cross from the left which Martindale met 6 yards out but Samways blocked brilliantly and then again blocked the follow-up shot. Tow minutes late a quick throw out from Samways sent Preston away down the right and he cut into the box before being bundled over in the box with the referee pointing to the spot after his assistant flagged for the penalty. Morris stepped up to take the kick but his powerful shot was well blocked by Newnes. Two minutes from time Pugh did well near the left hand corner flag to beat 2 defenders and bring the ball in towards goal before chipping to the far post but Morris somehow headed over from 2 yards. Almost immediately Burscough broke with Martindale heading over from 6 yards following a cross from John Black.

Frickley Athletic : Samways, Kamara, Hatto, Colley, Jackson, Marquis, Lindley, Pugh, Morris, Vickerage (Sheriffe 55), Preston (Joblon 80). Unused sub. Lafferty

Burscough : Newnes, MacCauley, Bowen (McHale 69), Howarth, McNulty, White ( Black 38), Hardy, Martindale, Connell, McAuley, Burke (Lucas 56) 

Att: 154

Ref : Mr A. Nicholson (Halifax) 

Main Club Sponsor Required for 2003/04. If interested, please contact us...

Click on the 'vote' banner to vote for this site in Yorkshire's Top 100 Football Sites...