Official Frickley Athletic Website 

www.frickleyafc.co.uk

Saturday 7th October - Radcliffe Borough 1-0 Frickley Athletic

Billy Heath's first match in charge saw the Blues go down to a 1-0 defeat at Radcliffe Borough this afternoon. The only goal came after 13 minutes but the Blues missed several chances before Lee Stratford was sent off for a second bookable offence just before half time.

There was just two changes to the side with Stratford returning at left back after recovering from the knock which kept him out of the FA Cup replay whilst Mark Ward started up front alongside Rob Pell. Ashley Scothern, who had re-signed on Thursday night was unable to travel.

Radcliffe took the lead with their first meaningful attack after 13 minutes when Chris Downey tapped in at the far post after a good run and cross from the right by Ian Fitzpatrick. This seemed to sting the Blues into action with Ward putting a 25 yard shot just wide after 20 minutes whilst Ward went even closer three minutes later as Pell flicked Stratford's pass into Ward's path for him to break clear inside the box but Danny Hurst did brilliantly to deny him from a tight angle. The Blues missed a good chance to equalise on 29 minutes when Alex Callery's right wing corner was cleared to Neil Ashley who hit a first time volley from 25 yards which Hurst could only parry but Crossfield put the rebound wide from 8 yards. Almost immediately Fitzpatrick cut in from the right before firing in a 20 yard shot which Gary Ingham comfortably saved. The Blues continued to press with Ward sending a looping header just wide of the near post following a good cross from Callery. 

However, disaster struck for the Blues on 43 minutes when Stratford, who had already been booked, challenged Lee Duffy on half way and Duffy fell to the ground clutching his face. The referee immediately booked Stratford and sent him off.

The second half was largely devoid of goalmouth action, although the Blues did enjoy large amounts of possession but were unable to carve out any decent scoring opportunities. They weren't helped by some bazaar refereeing decisions which saw the Blues penalised every time a free-kick was launched into the penalty area and on several occasions the referee decided to pull play back and award the Blues a free-kick instead of allowing play to continue when in good positions.

The only decent chance of the second half fell to Radcliffe when Chris Hilton lost the ball to Scott Wilson some 25 yards out with Wilson taking the ball on before putting an angled shot wide from 18 yards.