Official Frickley Athletic Website 

www.frickleyafc.co.uk

Saturday 2nd February - Frickley Athletic 4-0 Hednesford Town

Fantastic Frickley, spearheaded by hat trick hero Neil Towler, gave Hednesford a lesson in skilful soccer to register their biggest League win of the season and move another place up the table.

The threat of relegation will fade completely if the Blues continue to play like this, the whole squad being superb and rarely allowing Town, who are one of the polished performers in the Premier Division, a chance to take control.

It needed a fingertip save from Jon Hood to prevent an angled flick by Alan Nagington sneaking just inside the near post in the first minute and the home keeper did well to block a close range shot from Ross Dyer four minutes later, but the Blues quickly settled and began to look dangerous.

Scott Turner had a 20 yard volley saved at the second attempt by Ben Scott before the home side opened their account in the 15th minute, Chris Hilton curling a cross from the right for Towler to control and volley in an angled 20 yard drive.

After having a shot punched away by Scott, Towler gave him no chance in the 38th minute, following some good work from Turner and Lee Morris, hitting the net with another fierce shot.

A break down the left by Chris White a minute later saw Towler head on and Morris have a shot at the far post turned behind.

Ross Dyer beat the off-side trap three minutes later, only for his point blank shot to be diverted to safety by Hood's outstretched leg.

The second half saw Hednesford trying to get on terms but getting short shrift from a well marshalled home cover, while Danny Walsh and Wayne Harratt had the edge in midfield.

Morris put the ball into the net in the 54th minute but was ruled off-side, while Scott did well eight minutes later to punch away a shot from White and then block the rebound by Towler.

After a diving 15 yard header by Morris had flashed inches wide of the near post in the 65th minute, Towler completed his hat trick two minutes later, collecting a pass from White and beating two defenders before rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into an empty net.

Danny Walsh split the Town defence with a penetrating pass in the 70th minute which saw Lee Morris race on and fire an ang;led 20 yard shot under the advancing keeper.

To their credit, Hednesford never gave up, sub David Brown getting away down the right in the 87th minute but lifting his shot over top although he did much better in stoppage time, producing a strong, low effort which Hood held at full stretch to give the Blues a clean sheet and their third consecutive victory.