After a nervy first few minutes Frickley soon got to grips with their UniBond League rivals and took the lead on 11 minutes. A corner was only partly cleared by the Emley defence to Andy Hayward on the edge of the box. He fired the ball goalwards and MICK THOMPSON got a touch which sent it into the top left hand corner of the goal. Frickley almost increased their lead on 20 minutes when Duane Beckett and Hayward played a 1-2 which ended with Beckett's shot being deflected for a corner. From the corner Chris Hurst had his header somehow scrambled off the line. Little was seen of Emley as an attacking force apart from a couple of raids on the break but none unduly troubled Derek O'Connor. Frickley increased their lead after 25 minutes when Nicky Cranston intercepted a pass on the right and took the ball on to the edge of the box where he fed Beckett 18 yards out in front of goal. He immediately pushed the ball on to IAN EDGE who cut inside a defender and fired a low shot into the bottom left hand corner. Beckett then had a 20yard volley drop on the roof of the net as Frickley threatened to run riot. It was only just before half time when Emley managed to force a bit of pressure and won a corner on the left. The corner was easily cleared with Edge bringing the ball away from the area before sending a lovely 40 yard pass over the Emley defence for HAYWARD to run on to and lob over Rhodes for Frickley's third and his 35th of the season.

The second half failed to live up the first as Emley raised their game little but still not enough to look like making inroads into Frickley's lead. On 53 minutes they had a 20 yard drive deflected just wide of the left hand post but four minutes later O'Connor pulled of a brilliant triple save from point blank range to prevent Emley from pulling a goal back. Frickley's chances were also at a premium although Cranston and Beckett carved out a few openings which ended fruitless.

Ultimately, every player ran their feet into the ground, harrying and chasing after every ball and the Blues (Yellows on the night) thorough deserved their win with Andy Hayward (captain on the night) and Gary Hatto jointly receiving the trophy.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom (Hatto 72), Hurst, Earnshaw, Thompson, Cranston, Hanby, Hayward, Beckett (Collins 86), Edge. Sub. Haywood

The Blues gave the best display since beating Emley at the end of March as they were unlucky not to take all three points against a Marine side who looked poor to say they have been challenging for the title most of the season. Mick Thompson returned to the defence, which looked a lot more comfortable, but Gary Hatto was still injured.

The first attempt at goal came from the Blues as some neat play between Beckett, Hayward and Hanby finished with Hurst shooting just wide of the left hand post from 22 yards. A few minutes later Heckingbottom and Hayward played a 1-2 on the edge of the box, Heckingbottom played the ball into the path of Beckett but Clarke in the Marine goal gathered the ball at his feet. The Blues were well on top and on 15 minutes Hurst had a header from 12 yards well held by Clarke. Marine's first chance came after 25 minutes as Morgan beat Hilton down the wing, cut inside and fired a low shot from 15 yards into the side netting. On 38 minutes Frickley ought to have taken the lead when Hayward sent Edge away down the left. He beat two men before sending a low ball across the face of goal which Beckett got a touch on but not enough to divert it over the line. Marine then went close with the last chance of the half when Gamble put his 25 yard free-kick just over the bar.

The Blues began the second half as they had done the first and were unlucky when Edge played the ball through to Hayward who lifted the ball over Clarke into the net but the Assistant Referee had his flag raised. On 53 minutes Morgan saw his header fly narrowly over the bar for the visitors and five minutes later Clarke brilliantly palmed away a header from Hurst which looked destined for the top corner. But then on 59 minutes Hanby played a long ball forward which bisected the Marine defence for HAYWARD to run though and lob the ball over Clarke to give the Blues a deserved lead. Hanby then went close himself, shooting into the side netting from 20 yards before marine equalised on 68 minutes through Gautrey's header following a corner on the right. Marine then went on to take the lead on 73 minutes when Thompson and Earnshaw both went for the same ball and neither made a good connection. The loose ball fell to Wilson who shot into the top right hand corner of the net with O'Connor stood rooted to the spot. This stung Frickley into action again; Cranston crossed from the right and Thompson's header looked goalbound but somehow Clarke kept it out. However, the Blues deservedly levelled the scores on 86 minutes when Hurst tried to play a ball through to Thompson just out side the box but a Marine defender blocked his pass with his arm. The referee immediately gave the free-kick which HAYWARD curled into the top right hand corner.

So now to Hillsborough.....

Frickley Athletic: O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Earnshaw, Thompson, Cranston, Hanby, Hayward, Beckett (Gardner 83), Edge (Robinson 77). Sub Haywood

In a typical end of season match which neither side really deserved to win the Blues were beaten by a last minute goal from Runcorn player/manager Mark Carter. Manager Ian Thompson had Nicky Cranston available again but was without Scott Collins. Steve Robinson, a local player, was on the bench.

After only three minutes Derek O'Connor was forced to race out of his goal to clear from Carter, who was easily five yards offside, following a long ball forward. Chris Hilton then went close for the Blues when Cranston's right wing corner was headed to him by Chris Hurst but his 20 yard volley flew just wide of the left hand post. O'Connor was again forced to clear from outside his area before Carter blasted over after O'Connor dropped a high ball into the box. Frickley's best chance of the half came when Ian Edge and Rob Hanby combined down the left for Hanby to send over a dangerous cross which Acton in the Runcorn goal did well to collect under pressure from Beckett. Runcorn finished the half strongly with Lee Gardner being forced to clear Chantler's header off the line and then Carter headed narrowly over.

The Blues almost snatched the lead less than 30 seconds after the break when Andy Hayward ran between two defenders to latch onto a through ball from Hurst. He unleashed a thunderous shot which Acton did well to block and Edge was unable to make anything of the loose ball. On 58 minutes O'Connor was forced to save an angled shot from Rose and a minute later he pulled off a brilliant save to deny Chantler. Frickley took the lead on 65 minutes with one of only a few decent moves in the game. Hayward received a pass down the left and cut in to just inside the box from where he laid a perfect pass across goal for DUANE BECKETT to sidefoot into the bottom right hand corner. Disappointingly, the Blues didn't really try to press forward to increase their lead and they were punished on 80 minutes when both Hurst and Marc Heckingbottom both went for the same ball but they both lost out, allowing Salt to advance into the box and cut the ball across goal for Carter to tap in at the far post. Four minutes later Hilton cleared a shot from Carter off the line following a Runcorn corner. Substitute, Steve Robinson came close to winnign it for the Blues on 87 minutes when Hayward laid the ball off to him on the right hand side of the area but his 10 yard shot hit the side netting. The miss was to prove costly as in the last minute Carter notched Runcorn's winner when he ghosted in at the far side of the area following a free-kick from just over half way to lift the ball over O'Connor.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Gardner, Earnshaw, Cranston (Robinson 74 mins), Hanby, Hayward, Beckett (M. Thompson 74 mins), Edge. Sub. Haywood.

After battling back from conceding an early goal the Blues were given a lesson in finishing as promotion chasing Gateshead ran riot in the last 15 minutes. Frickley were without Gary Duffty and Nicky Cranston through injuries sustained at Hallam on Wednesday and Gary Hatto was still unfit and Mick Thompson was only fit enough for a place on the bench.

The visitors had the larger share of the first half and went close after only six minutes, Dalton shooting wide of Derek O'Connor's right hand post from 20 yards. They took the lead with their next attack on 13 minutes when Dalton collected a fortunate ricochet on the edge of the box which put him clear and he slotted past O'Connor with ease. The Blues first chance fell to Rob Hanby on 22 minutes but he shot well over from the edge of the box. Fletcher then headed into the side netting with the goal at his mercy for Gateshead and moments later O'Connor was forced to tip a lob by Dalton over the bar.

The Blues came out for the second half more determined and drew level within a minute of the restart. Andy Hayward pushed the ball past his marker on the left of the box and as the keeper came out Hayward crossed for DUANE BECKETT to tap into an empty goal. Gateshead responded with O'Connor pushing a curling effort by Dalton over the bar. On 54 minutes some good football down the left saw Hayward and Chris Hurst combine and the latter sent over a good cross which was just too high for Beckett and Ian Edge and a minute later Gateshead keeper, Swan, did well to save a volley by Marc Heckingbottom from the edge of the box following a Blues corner. It seemed just a matter of time before the Blues took the lead but on 69 minutes Gateshead broke away to force a corner. The corner wasn't dealt with very well and the ball found its way to the back post where Hall scrambled it goalwards but it took a deflection off a defender to loop over O'Connor to give the Geordies the lead. Frickley continued to push but on 74 minutes disaster struck when Preen ran onto a long ball forward, held off a challenge by Lee Gardner and prodded the ball past the advancing O'Connor for Gateshead's third. Hayward then got clear on the left hand edge of the box and cut the ball across to Beckett whose first time shot from just inside the area was well saved by Swan, The loose ball fell to Edge but he shot tamely at the keeper. On 85 minutes Hurst looked to have pulled a goal back when he met Beckett's free-kick from the right but his header was cleared off the line. To add insult to injury, Gateshead sent a long ball up field which saw O'Connor race out of his goal to tackle the advancing forward but the loose ball fell to Preen who fired in from 20 yards. To sum up Frickley's day on 89 minutes Hayward got clear again down the left of the area and cut the ball back across goal but no-one was there to take advantage.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Haywood, Hurst, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Edge, Heckingbottom. Subs. Collins, M. Thompson, I. Thompson.

Ian Thompson returned to Frickley's starting line-up in place of the absent Lee Gardner and Scott Collins was fit enough to gain a place on the bench as the Blues came from behind to beat an over physical Hallam side and progress to the Final at Hillsborough on Wednesday May 3rd.

Frickley started well and came close to taking the lead after just 6 minutes when some neat football ended with Andy Hayward's low shot from 12 yards being deflected for a corner by the keeper's legs. Rob Hanby and Nicky Cranston both went close with 20 yard drives and Ian Edge had a goal disallowed for offside before Hallam took a shock lead on 31 minutes with their first real attack. Chris Hilton twice failed to clear his lines, allowing Holmes to beat Derek O'Connor from close range. Frickley stepped up a gear and Gary Duffty was denied an equaliser when his flicked effort from 15 yards was brilliantly tipped round the post. However, DUFFTY was not to be denied on 38 minutes when he turned on the edge of the box and fired a low shot into the corner of the net to level the scores

Less than two minutes into the second half and the Blues took a rather fortunate lead. CHRIS HILTON sent over a cross from the right which eluded everyone in the area and crept just inside the far post with the keeper nowhere in sight. A minute later Chris Hurst headed just over the bar as the Blues were starting to dominate but they had to wait until the 59th minute to extend their lead. Duffty raced into the box, chasing a loose ball and was hacked down from behind. The referee immediately pointed to the spot but, to almost everyone's amazement in the ground, only showed a yellow card to the culprit. In the absence of Gary Hatto, HAYWARD stepped up to convert the penalty to give Frickley what seemed like an unassailable lead. However, Hallam had other ideas and pulled a goal back on 68 minutes through Watt with a far post header following a free-kick just over half way and then, less than two minutes later, drew level following an almost identical move which this time O'Connor parried the first effort but couldn't stop the follow-up. Gary Duffty, who was having a brilliant game, was then carried off with a neck injury following one of several hard challenges in a short period and was replaced by Duane Beckett. The last chance of normal time fell to Hanby who headed narrowly over. And so to extra time.

The first period saw Hayward brought down as he was clean through on goal right on the edge of the box but, yet again, the culprit only received a yellow card. Hayward took the free-kick himself and was unlucky to see his effort glance the outside of the near post with the keeper rooted to the spot. Then, on 101 minutes, IAN EDGE cut inside from the right, shrugged off a couple of challenges, and shot low into the right hand corner to put Frickley 4-3 up. The second period saw Hallam really lose their cool. On 108 minutes HAYWARD ran on to a through ball, flicked the ball over the advancing keeper and slotted the ball in from an acute angle which was the cue for Hallam to lose their heads. Nicky Cranston was hacked down and sent flying into the dugouts which resulted in a red acrd for the culprit. Both management teams were incensed with Hallam's manager continuing to remonstrate with the referee for several minutes. When everything had finally clamed down Hanby swung the free-kick across field to Beckett who was completely on his own. As he collected the ball the keeper rushed out to meet him but he fired goalwards and HAYWARD ran in to tap the ball home.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Thompson, Earnshaw, Cranston, Hanby, Hayward, Duffty (Beckett 70 mins), Edge. Subs. Collins & I. Thompson

The Blues warmed up for Wednesday's Sheffield Senior Cup Semi Final with a morale boosting win over Bamber Bridge. Neither side really dominated the game and it was only when Mick Thompson, who was returning from injury, made his appearance as a second half substitute that the Blues really got going.

The visitors had the first effort at goal with Lee Trundle firing well wide from 25 yards after eight minutes whilst at the other end Gary Duffty headed down to Andy Hayward who fired just wide of the far post with a first time drive from the left corner of the area ten minutes later. The game continued to see both sides do their share of attacking but no other chances were really created until the half hour mark when the Blues managed to force three corners in succession. From the last of these the ball was cleared to the edge of the box from where Hayward sent his half volley wide of the right hand upright. The last chance of the half fell to the visitors after a throw-in was given to Bamber Bridge despite their player having clearly been the last player to touch the ball. From the throw a deep cross came over from the right which Whittaker headed wide from 12 yards. The Referee and Assistant again contrived to get the rules wrong again went Hayward chased after a misplaced back pass by a Bridge defender only for the Assistant to raise his flag for offside which was promptly given.

The second half saw Whittaker shoot wide from 12 yards for Bridge after 50 minutes before, at the other end, a defender almost deflected a low cross by Earnshaw into his own goal but it landed on the roof of the net. On 68 minutes long ball played forward by the visitors saw Trundle and Lee Gardner chase the loose ball but Gardner slipped allowing Trundle a free run at goal. However, the loan signing from Southport lobbed not only the advancing Derek O'Connor but the goal and almost the perimeter wall as well. Ian Edge had the ball in the net after 72 minutes when Dootson in the Bridge goal dropped a cross from the right under pressure form Hayward and one of his own defenders but Mr Hart decided Dootson was impeded and ruled the goal out. Then, on 77 minutes Mick Thompson replaced Nick Cranston and within 3 minutes the Blues were in front. Hayward beat his marker and ran at the last man on the left hand edge of the box before slipping the ball to Edge outside him. Edge sent over an inviting cross which took out Dootson and a defender knocked it into the roof of his own goal just before Duffty could get a touch. Frickley started to look more lively up front and five minutes later they scored again. Again Edge was the provider with a cross from the left and THOMPSON was unmarked 6 yards out to head in. Hayward almost created a goal for himself on 88 minutes when he flicked the ball over his marker but he hit his half volley just wide of the far post from 15 yards.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Gardner, Earnshaw, Cranston (M. Thompson 77 mins), Hanby, Hayward, Duffty, Edge. Subs Beckett, I. Thompson.

Attendance : 131

Frickley were given a lesson in taking chances in a game they could, and should, have won. After only 2 minutes Andy Hayward beat his man on the right hand side of the area and cut the ball back to Gary Hatto who was almost on the penalty spot. But after stopping the ball and looking up to pick his spot he placed his effort inches wide of the right hand upright. Four minutes later Hayward and Hatto combined again for Hayward to burst through the defence but he fired narrowly over from just inside the box. The miss proved costly as immediately Bishop Auckland broke and, after Derek O'Connor failed to come off his line, score the first goal. Neither side really created much after then until the 40th minute when all Frickley's defence were sucked towards the right of the penalty area and, as a cross came over from the right, Bishops had a player completely unmarked on the left of the area and he coolly volleyed past O'Connor. A minute later and the hosts were 3 up. An Assistant Referee failed to spot the ball going over the sideline out of play as a Bishops player attacked down the left and he sent over a cross which the defence failed to clear and eventually the ball was scrambled in.

The second half saw Frickley play much more positively and the defence tightened up more, limiting the Bishop's chances. The arrears were reduced just 5 minutes after the restart when Hayward's 26 yard free kick took an awkward bounce just in front of the home keeper and bounced up off his chest to the onrushing HATTO who knocked the ball in. Frickley pushed again and were unlucky when Hayward's close range looping header landed on the roof of the net with the keeper stranded. But it was following the introduction of Gary Duffty for the ineffective Ian Edge that Frickley scored their second. On 74 minutes Hatto brilliantly turned his marker on the right wing, advanced to the edge of the box and cut the ball back to HANBY who hit a cracking first time shot into the roof of the net from 25 yards. Frickley continued to enjoy more of the possession for the remaining minutes but were unable to find a vital third goal.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Gardner, Earnshaw, Cranston, Hanby, Hayward, Hatto, Edge (Duffty 68 mins). Sub. Beckett.

With Duane Beckett, Mick Thompson and Scott Collins all missing through injury the Blues were down to just 12 fit players against relegation threatened Guiseley but, despite fighting back from conceding an early goal, they were pegged back following a defensive mistake early in the second half.

Playing into a strong, gusty wind the visitors took the lead with the first attack of the game after 5 minutes when Ian Edge lost the ball on half way to Gallagher who took the ball forward before sending over a high ball towards the Blues penalty area. Derek O'Connor started to come to collect it but the wind took the ball away from him straight to the unmarked Parke who pushed the ball past O'Connor and tapped into an empty net. Frickley equalised seven minutes later when some good play down the right saw Andy Hayward release Edge down the wing. He sent over a perfect cross which CHRIS HURST headed in from eight yards. It wasn't long before the Blues took the lead. A ball into the box from the left was headed clear to the edge of the box by the Guiseley defence only for HURST to rifle the ball in from 18 yards. Parke then had a header go well over as the ground was engulfed in rain and sleet. Nicky Cranston had a weak 20 yard shot go wide before Andy Hayward ought to have added to his 29 goals this season as Hurst sent over a cross from the left which evaded the defence but Hayward could only fire wide from about 6 yards.

The second half saw Guiseley come out looking for an equaliser and they soon got it as only 5 minutes after the break Lee Gardner misjudged a cross from right, enabling Davison to score from close range. As Guiseley pushed for a winning goal that they so desperately needed the Blues performance became lacklustre with passes going woefully astray and, although they did enough to contain the visitors they never really looked like taking hold of the game again, creating only a handful of half chances during the rest of the game. Hurst came close with a header which went narrowly wide of the left hand upright on the hour before Parke almost poached a goal for Guiseley on 67 minutes, again with a header, which bounced just wide of the far post with O'Connor beaten. Hatto then had a cross-cum-shot well held by Shutt in the Guiseley goal and then Davison shot wide from 20 yards at the other end. The last chance fell to Marc Heckingbottom following a late flurry of Blues corners but he blasted over from 25 yards.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Gardner, Earnshaw, Cranston, Hanby, Hayward, Hatto, Edge (Duffty 70 mins).

After two good away performances the Blues gave a poor home showing against a Blyth side who had a greater will to win. The performance wasn't helper by an abysmal showing by referee David Margetson who denied the Blues two penalties for handball and was only too keen to show a yellow card to the home side.

The visitors started well and came close to opening the scoring after only 2 minutes when Lumsden headed over the bar following an early Blyth corner. However, the Blues took the lead three minutes later when MARC HECKINGBOTTOM took advantage of a mix up in the Blyth box to fire in from ten yards. Blyth hit back with Pitt having a good run down the centre of the pitch which ended in his 18 yard shot being deflected for a corner. Frickley should have increased their lead after 22 minutes when Hayward ran on to a long ball over the defence, cut inside from the right and squared to Hurst but the ball got stuck under his feet. Blyth continued to look the more lively of the two sides but the Blues defence, minus the injured Mick Thompson, coped admirably with everything that was thrown at them.

The second half started in much the same way with Blyth looking sharper and it didn't take them long to level the scores with the ball being forced in after a goalmouth scramble on 55 minutes. The Blues then had claims for a penalty waved away when Earnshaw's cross from the left was clearly deflected by a defender's arm out for a corner. O'Connor rescued Frickley on the hour when he saved Lumsden's header with one hand and then a minute later Hatto broke away down the right for Frickley and crossed to the far post but Burke, in the Blyth goal, saved Hanby's header well. Blyth stormed straight back up field and O'Connor again rescued the Blues when Cranston failed to clear and Chandler was left with the goal at his mercy from 6 yards but O'connor saved well. Referee Margetson then waved away another strong appeal for a penalty for handball before one of his Assistant's decided to get in on the act when he ruled Hayward 'offside' when Beckett played him clean through but the Assistant failed to spot Blyth's Martin stood not ten yards in front of him, playing him'onside'! Beckett was then stretchered off to be replaced by Duffty but by then the game had run its course.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett (Duffty 89 mins), Hanby, Hayward, Hatto, Cranston (Edge 75 mins). Sub. I. Thompson.

After an uncertain start the Blues comfortably overcame Emley at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Belle Vue ground courtesy of two goals by Andy Hayward and a third from Rob Hanby.

Emley started the strongest of the two sides and had a fair amount of pressure early on, forcing a couple of early corners which were dealt with quite well. Frickley's first effort at goal came after 9 minutes when Chris Hurst headed over from Duane Beckett's corner. The Blues then had appeals for a penalty turned down as Beckett was felled inside the area as he ran into a pass by Gary Hatto before Derek O'Connor had a rush of blood, losing the ball as he tried to dribble out of the area after receiving a back pass. Luckily the defence got back to clear. As the game neared half time Frickley started to enjoy more and more possession. Andy Hayward headed just over the bar on 34 minujtes before Frickley took the lead on 38 minutes. Hurst played a brilliant ball forward which HAYWARD ran onto and fired past Rhodes in the Emley goal. However, the lead was short lived as within a minute Simeon Bambrook equalised for Emley. The Blues restored their lead three minutes before the break when Beckett charges down an attempted clearance on half way and the ball broke for Hatto who cut inside the last defender and shot from 6 yards but Rhodes deflected his shot onto the post but HAYWARD followed up to fire into the roof of the net.

The second half was a fairly even affair with neither goalkeepers being tested very often. Hayward came close to getting his hat-trick when Hatto's deflected free-kick just eluded him at the far post and Emley's Bradshaw was proving a handful for the Blues defence with his unorthodox style. However, the Blues scored a superb goal to seal the match on 77 minutes, Hanby playing a 1-2 with Hayward just outside the Emley area for HANBY to race clear in the box and slot the ball past the advancing Rhodes. Shortly afterwards Beckett came close to adding to the scoreline but his drive from 12 yards flew just over the bar.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Earnshaw, Gardner, Thompson (Cranston 50 mins), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Hurst (Edge 90 mins), Hatto. Sub. Collins

Attendance : 529

With Dean Jones having joined Ilkeston Town in midweek and Mick Thompson missing through an injury sustained at Gateshead Frickley had an inexperienced defence on show today. Making the move the other way from Ilkeston was Chris Hurst who came into midfield.

Frickley played the first half up the slope and almost went behind after two minutes when Stalybridge had a shot from just inside the area on the right which went across goal. A minute later Rob Hanby almost opened Frickley's account but his goalbound header was cleared off the line. O'Connor was then forced to save with his legs as Celtic looked quick up front as they looked to latch onto the many long balls that they sent forward. Frickley took the lead on 27 minutes following a corner on the right which was taken by Gary Hatto. This was met by a powerful header by HURST which left the keeper no chance. Frickley were playing well with Hurst at the heart of most things but they couldn't add to their tally before the break.

The hosts came out fired up for the second half and came close following a right wing corner but the final header went over the bar. However, they drew level on 52 minutes when O'Connor came out to punch away another right wing corner but got nowhere near and a Celtic player sent his header into the unguarded net. Scott Collins came on to replace Gary Duffty and he almost had an immediate impact when a mistake by a Celtic defender left him clear only six yards out but he shot narrowly over the bar as the keeper put him under pressure. Frickley didn't have long to wait before they retook the lead. On 56 minutes Hurst sent over a deep dross from the right and HATTO steered a header from 10 yards into top corner. Hatto then had another chance when he shot wide from 18 yards after Andy Hayward had laid the ball back to him. Then on 73 minutes Hatto headed the ball down to HAYWARD who, with his back to goal 6 yards out, turned and shot into the roof of the net. Celtic pulled a goal back three minutes later when the Frickley defence three times failed to clear the ball and finally the ball was powered in from the edge of the box. The last ten minutes saw Celtic push for an equaliser but the rookie Blues defence coped admirably and thoroughly deserved the three points.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom, Hurst, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Duffty (Collins 54 mins), Hatto. Unused Subs. Edge and Cranston

Frickley travelled to the North East for the third time this season and once again returned empty handed. After already being handicapped by the non-arrival of Gary Duffty and Scott Collins the Blues had a further set-back as they arrived only 15 minutes before kick off. Gateshead took advantage of this and attacked straight from the whistle. After an initial onslaught the Blues looked to have weathered the storm and came close to snatching the lead after 20 minutes when a deep cross from the right fell to Gary Hatto who was unmarked 8 yards out at the far post. However, he took too long before shooting and his effort was blocked for a corner. Gateshead cleared the corner straight up field where Paul Thompson beat Lee Gardner to the ball, advanced towards goal and coolly slotted the ball under O'Connor. Shortly afterwards they again broke through the Blues rearguard but this time Steve Preen could only shoot into the side netting from 18 yards. Frickley came close to an equaliser when Hatto was clear inside the area on the left but his drive across the face of goal was too fast for Andy Hayward who couldn't quite reach to divert it into the net. The miss proved costly as on 38 minutes Gateshead increased their lead. O'Connor started to come out towards a free-kick from the right but he stopped half way and was in no mans land when Chris Lynch headed towards goal and the ball bounced gently into the unguarded goal. Two minutes later Duane Beckett ought to have reduced the arrears when Rob Hanby chipped the ball into the box for Beckett to run on to but instead of lifting the ball over the advancing keeper his low shot from 8 yards was blocked by the keeper.

The second half saw Mick Thompson move up front to try and add a bit extra firepower. The move almost paid off on 60 minutes when Thompson ran onto a bad back pass and was upended by the keeper. The Referee immediately pointed to the spot but Hatto's effort was well saved by the keeper diving to his left. Gateshead continued to look lively going forward and O'Connor was forced to make several impressive saves from shots around the edge of the area. None more so than when he blocked a shot which rebounded onto the cross bar and he somehow recovered to collect the loose ball before a Gateshead forward. In the end Gateshead deserved their win and the Blues will have to improve if they are to get any reward at Stalybridge on Saturday.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Earnshaw (Heckingbottom 60 mins), Jones, Thompson, Gardner, Beckett (Edge 75 mins), Hanby Hayward, Hatto, Cranston.

Attendance : 204

The Blues fielded an unchanged team as they got their revenge over Lancaster City for last week's League Cup defeat. Things looked bleak early on as Frickley looked anything but the side that played so well against Doncaster on Wednesday. Lancaster took the lead after 5 minutes with the first serious attack of the game when Jessop got away down the right and Kilbane met his cross with a bullet header that left Derek O'Connor rooted to the spot. The visitors continued have more of the play for the first fifteen minutes but without testing O'Connor. Frickley's first attempt at goal came on seventeen minutes when Andy Hayward took a free-kick on the left hand corner of the area but Thornley in the Lancaster goal saved easily. The Blues began to play with a bit more purpose and Hayward fed Hilton down the right and his dangerous cross was cleared by an outstretched leg before Duffty could get to it. Hatto then had shot charged down before Frickley equalised in the 29th minute. Hayward crossed from the left towards Duffty at the near post but a defender managed to clear to the edge of the box where it fell to Beckett. His effort was blocked and then Hayward had a go but his attempt was also blocked. The rebound fell to MICK THOMPSON who sent a rocket shot in from 20 yards via the underside of the bar. Three minutes later Hanby clipped the outside of the near post with a header following a Beckett corner on the left as the Blues finished the half on top.

A minute after the break Lancaster almost snatched the lead when Jessop again sent over a dangerous cross from the right but Mayers' header from 8 yards went wide of the far post. Rob Hanby then came close to scoring a bazaar goal when a free-kick by Hatto on half way hit him on the shoulder as he was running into the box. The ball looped over the keeper but dropped just wide of the left upright. On 51 minutes the Blues took the lead. Hayward headed a pass by Hatto on to Duffty inside the box who was pushed off the ball but the loose ball fell to DUANE BECKETT who fired in from 12 yards. A minute later Frickley should really have had a penalty when Hayward beat a defender on the right of the area but his attempted cross was blocked by a defenders arm and rebounded back to him. The Referee waved play on and Hayward shot low to the left but Thornley saved with one hand with the ball just evading Duffty. On 69 minutes Lancaster captain Horner was lucky not be sent off when he tripped Duffty as he was clean through on goal some 30 yards out but from the resulting free-kick THOMPSON ghosted in to knock the ball past Thornley for the Blues third. Nicky Cranston was denied on 82 minutes by a brilliant Thornley save after a cross by Hilton was headed to him on the edge of the box and he let fly with a half volley. Then Hanby had a header well saved on 87 minutes following a corner by Beckett on the left. The visitors went straight up the other end and were awarded a penalty when Gardner felled a City froward just inside the area. Mayers stepped up to take the penalty but O'Connor saved it was his legs, deflecting the ball out for a corner. From the corner Lancaster substitute Haddow forced the ball in from close range after the ball appeared to be handled.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Thompson, Gardner, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Cranston, Duffty. Subs. Collins, Earnshaw, Edge

Attendance : 136

Frickley produced a tremendous performance to beat a strong Doncaster Rovers side with a goal in each half. Mark Earnshaw was unable to play due to the injury he suffered on Saturday with his place being taken by Chris Hilton and Nicky Cranston came into midfield in place of Ian Edge. Doncaster Rovers had Neil Illman in their front line who played for the Blues at Gainsborough on loan recently.

Doncaster began well and dominated the first 15 minutes. In fact they came close to scoring in the first minute when Dean Jones failed to control a pass to him and Illman took the ball off him but his 18 yard shot was dealt with easily by Derek O'Connor. After 12 minutes Tommy Wright flicked the ball over Jones for Illman to run on to but his first time shot from the edge of the box was punched clear by O'Connor. Six minutes later Kindel in the Rovers goal had to be alert, charging out of his area to head away from Andy Hayward after a good long ball forward by Jones. Moments later Mick Thompson out-jumped Kindel to a free-kick by Jones but his looping header dropped just wide. The Blues were beginning to settle now and the started to enjoy more possesion. Roby Hanby ran on to a through ball from Jones but he shot tamely at Kindel but on 32 minutes the Blues took the lead. Hatto took a Blues corner on the right which fell to Hayward on the far side of the area. He turned the ball back in, Duffty was brought down by Kindel as he tried to take it round him but the lose ball fee to Hayward on the left of the area. He played a low ball across goal an THOMPSON fired in.

The Rovers came back and Minett had a 25 yard shot which flew over, as did Johnson a few minutes later. The visitors then had the last chance of the half when Maxfield only half hit his hot from 15 yards and it went just wide of the left hand post.

The second half started in the same vein as the first with Doncaster pressing forward but the Blues defence coped only too well with everything that was thrown at them. After 62 minutes Illman shot over from 12 yards following a cross from the left and two minutes later Maxfield fired wildly over from the edge of the box following a free-kick just inside the Frickley half. Shortly afterwards Gary Duffty went close for Frickley when Hayward sent him away running at the last man. He cut inside and shot just wide of the right hand post from 18 yards. The two teams then began to cancel each other out and the chances started to dry up. That was until the 83rd minute when, following some good football down the left, Gary Hatto got free on the left hand edge of the area and he crossed to the far post where HAYWARD headed in his 26th goal of the season. That goal gave the Blues a cushion which they never looked like losing. In fact, the Rovers defence started to make errors in the final few minutes and twice were fortunate not to let Hayward through for a third.

In the end a well deserved victory and there's still the chance of some silverware!

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Thompson, Gardner, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Cranston, Duffty. Subs. Collins, Heckingbottom, Edge.

Doncaster Rovers, Kindel, Shaw, Johnson, Maxfield, Warren, Minett, Williams, Kirkwood, Illman, Whitman, Wright. Subs. Lynch, Robinson, Fell

Attendance : 428

Lancaster started the match the brighter of the two sides although their first chance came after 15 minutes when they appealed strongly for a penalty after Sparrow went down under a challenge from Earnshaw. But it was Earshaw who came off worst and he suffered a badly cut head and was forced to leave the field with Chris Hilton replacing him and Hatto dropping to left full-back. It was this change which contributed to the visitors taking the lead after 22minutes when Hatto lost possession on half way and the ball broke for Ward to have a clear run at goal and slot the ball under the advancing O'Connor. Two minutes later Scott Collins had a 15 yard snap shot go over after a throw in on the right for the Blues but Frickley were not playing well at this point. On 33 minutes the Blues came close to grabbing the equaliser when a free-kick on the left by Hatto was only half cleared by Thornley in the Lancaster goal and Hanby shot goalwards on the volley from the edge of the box. The effort was blocked and then the rebound was headed just wide of the left post. Frickley finally started to play a little better and Hilton had a first time shot from 20 yards go just over after being teed up by Collins. On 43 minutes Hatto played a quick free-kick to Hayward but his angled shot under pressure from 8 yards hit the side netting. A minute later Edge beat 3 men on the right and cut inside but his low 18 yards shot was easily saved. Then a long ball up field from Thompson found Hayward just inside the box but his first time effort went just wide of the left hand post. The miss was to prove costly as Lancaster went straight up the other end and added a second through Ward after a the ball fell to him following a scramble on the edge of the box.

At half time Ian Thompson brought Gary Duffty on for the ineffective Edge and the Blues came out fired up for the second half. Within 2 minutes of the restart MICK THOMPSON pulled a goal back following a Hatto corner on the right and then five minutes later DUFFTY equalised with a header from 8 yards following a cross from the left. Lancaster were rocking a this stage but the Blues began to let their authority slip and then disaster struck on 64 minutes. A Lancaster defender beat Hayward in a battle for a loose ball in the centre circle and played the ball forward to where Ward was stood, easily 5 yards offside, but the referee's assistant kept his flag down when everyone in the ground, including Ward himself, thought he was offside. Ward then proceded to lift the ball over O'Connor into an empty net. The game once again started to get scrappy and Hayward had a shot blocked and the rebound just evaded Duffty. Martin then missed a golden opportunity for Lancaster when he shot over from 6 yards when unmarked. Mick Thompson moved up front to give Frickley an extra option but apart from him having an 18 yard shot fly over the bar nothing was to come from it.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Gardner, Earnshaw (Hilton 19 mins), Jones, Thompson, Edge (Duffty 45 mins), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins (Heckingbottom 80 mins), Hatto

Attendance : 230

The Blues bounced back from last week's disaster at Leigh with a much improved performance and a fairly comfortable win over high riding Gainsborough. Neil Illman, a forward on loan from Doncaster Rovers, came in to partner Andy Hayward up front, Dean Jones returned to the defence with Chris Hilton missing and Nicky Cranston returned after suspension.

Frickley started quite brightly with Illman causing the Gainsborough defence problems with his pace and enthusiasm but were unable to find an early breakthrough. In fact Gainsborough were almost gifted a goal when Derek O'Connor dwelt too long on a back pass and his clearance was charged down but the ball went wide of the post. Frickley then began to look dangerous going forward and took the lead after 19 minutes when Gainsborough's defence were slow to push out following a corner. This allowed Dean Jones to send a ball from the right over the defence to HAYWARD who was unmarked in the centre of the pitch 25 yards from goal. He promptly controlled the ball and fired home via the left hand post with the keeper well beaten. The Blues continued to push forward as Gainsborough showed little idea up front but the closest they came was on 42 minutes when Hillman hit a 30 yard shot from the left which dipped just over the bar.

Gainsborough came out more determined in the second half but Hayward ought to have improved Frickley's advantage after 50 minutes when Scott Collins got away down the left and crossed to him at the far post but he fired over from 6 yards. Almost immediately the scores should have been level when a miss-placed pass by Hatto allowed the hosts to break but their forward could only drag his shot wide with only O'Connor to beat. Gainsborough then had a few half chances from corners but all came to nothing. Then after 81 minutes Illman received the ball on the right, cut inside and unleashed a 20 yards effort that was blocked but the rebound fell to Hayward whose first time shot from 10 yards struck the bar and rebounded to safety. Two minutes later HANBY had a shot from the edge of the box that went just inside the left hand post to score the Blues second. Gainsborough did, however, manage a consolation when they scored from the edge of the box a minute from time.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Gardner, Hatto, Jones, Thompson, Cranston, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Illman, Collins. Subs Edge, Duffty, Heckingbottom.

Struggling to field a side, the Blues were on the receiving end of a hammering at Hilton Park against an RMI side who were by far more committed than the patched up Frickley side and to make matters worse Ian Edge was helped off ten minutes from the end with a leg injury. With Dean Jones, Mark Earnshaw, Marc Heckingbottom and Craig Atkinson all missing through illness and injury and Nicky Cranston serving the last of a three match ban the Blues were left with no substitutes and Duane Beckett was forced to play despite carrying an injury.

Leigh took an early lead when after six minutes Gary Hatto and Chris Hilton made a mess of trying to clear an RMI attack down the left, a cross was swung over and Ridings scored with a low shot from the edge of the box which crept just inside Derek O'Connor's right hand post. Scott Collins had Frickley's best chance after 14 minutes when he received the ball in the box on the left following a free-kick. He beat a defender and shot low across goal but the ball trickled just wide of the far post. The home side continued to boss the game but Gary Duffty had a chance to score when he brilliantly took the ball past his marker on the edge of the box but instead of shooting, decided to check back and the chance was gone. Leigh's second goal was almost a carbon copy of their first with another cross coming from the left but this time it was Jones who was unmarked to head home. Immediately Mick Thompson was moved up front from his centre back position and the Blues started to cause the home defence some problems with Hatto having a 25 yarder well saved by Felgate in the Leigh goal.

The Blues started the second half hoping for an early goal to get back into the game but within five minutes of the restart they found themselves 4-0 down as a result of more sloppy defending. With that the game as a contest was virtually over and Leigh added a fifth after 69 minutes. O'Connor then made two good saves with his feet to prevent a sixth but the Blues never really created a goal scoring chance throughout the second half. They were hampered even more when Edge was forced off through injury and Andy Hayward was forced to drop back to help cover.

All in all it was a disappointing performance, especially considering how well the team had played in recent games, with only Hayward, Thompson, Beckett and Collins deserving of any credit for their efforts.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, Thompson, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Duffty, Collins.

With Dean Jones returning to the defence in place of Mark Earnshaw the Blues dominated most of this match but without turning their pressure into goals and were left cursing their luck as Spennymoor snatched an equaliser 60 seconds into injury time following a disastrous error by Rob Hanby.

Playing on a wet and slippery pitch, Frickley started strongly and came close to taking the lead after just 4 minutes when Mick Thompson powered a header against the crossbar following a free-kick on the right. The Blues continued to press, with the visitors restricted to just the odd break, and Thompson again went close after 25 minutes when he shot just wide of the right hand post from the edge of the box following some neat football down the right. Three minutes later Jones had a 25 yard free-kick well saved and then Scott Collins sent over a delightful cross from the right which Andy Hayward, only 5 yards from goal at the near post, only half caught hold of allowing the keeper to make a good save.

The second half saw Collins shoot tamely wide when well placed on the edge of the box before Spennymoor hit the bar with a close range header following a cross from the left. With half an hour remaining Ian Thompson brought on Gary Duffty and reverted to four at the back and this brought an immediate response. GARY HATTO collected the ball on half way before playing a 1-2 with Hayward just outside the box and then firing into the top right hand corner from 20 yards. A second goal almost came on 64 minutes when Duane Beckett sent Collins away down the left and he sent over a great cross which Thompson flicked on and Duffty looked to have headed in at the far post but Campbell in the Spennymoor goal somehow kept the ball out. Then on 81 minutes Hayward cut the ball back to Thompson whose 20 yard shot clipped the far post with the keeper beaten and five minutes later Hanby shot wide from a similar position after Duffty laid the ball back to him. The misses were to prove costly as in injury time Hanby gave the ball away on the edge of the Frickley area and the home defence was left wide open as Spennymoor had a man over on the right side of the area. He duly received the ball and fired past O'Connor from 12 yards.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones (Heckingbottom 88), Gardner, Edge (Duffty 58), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Thompson, Collins. Sub Atkinson.

Attendance : 144

With Nicky Cranston suspended, Frickley welcomed back Chris Hilton into the defence with Ian Edge moving into midfield to replace Cranston. The Blues once again kicked off into a strong wind and were under pressure early on when a corner from the left was headed off the line. Frickley's first chance came after 9 minutes when Scott Collins broke away down the left and his deep cross found Edge yards out at the far post but his shot was blocked by a defender. Ludlow then had a 25 yard shot go wide of O'Connor's left hand post for Whitby before they had the ball in the net on 21 minutes following a corner on the right but it was disallowed for pushing. Whitby continued to press with Mick Thompson clearing off the line when O'Connor was beaten by a header from the corner of the six yard box. Collins again broke down the left for the Blues and his cross was turned over the bar by Dawson in the Whitby goal at full stretch after half an hour. Then on 42 minutes West, who had already been booked for a nasty challenge on Hatto, was sent off after a two-footed lunge at Rob Hanby. From the resulting free-kick Frickley ought to have taken the lead as the ball dropped to Edge at the far post, 8 yards out and with the goal at his mercy, but he blazed over.

The visitors came out for the second half fired up and they took the lead just two minutes after the interval. Collins was slow to react to a loose ball and Goodchild took it off him, ran forward and played the ball in to Ludlow who scored with a low shot just inside O'Connor's right hand post. The Blues struck back with Collins flicking the ball on to Hayward who lobbed Dawson but his effort fell wide of the left hand post. Collins then beat a defender on half way on the left and charged into the box but his angled effort from 8 yards was blocked by Dawson for a corner. With the Blues having an extra man Thompson was pushed up front with 28 minutes left and almost immediately he had an 18 yard shot which was held well by Dawson. Whitby came close to increasing their lead after 81 minutes when O'Connor saved an effort by Ludlow with his legs before the Blues equalised on 82 minutes. Hanby played the ball into the box, Gary Duffty flicked it on and HAYWARD fired in from close range. This lifted the Frickley players and they began to play with more urgency as they looked for a winner. Whitby came close after 87 minutes when substitute Ure cut in from the right and beat Earnshaw as he entered the box but O'Connor blocked his close range shot. A minute later the Blues scored the winner when Hilton crossed from the right, Atkinson headed on and DUANE BECKETT darted in to head home. Whitby had one last chance 2 minutes into injury time when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box but Hudson shot straight at the wall.

All in all it wasn't a totally convincing win but we have played much better this season and got nothing. Whitby came intent on kicking lumps off players and, thankfully, justice was done. It also shows a lack of professionalism when their coaching staff have to get involved in a full blooded slanging match with Frickley supporters.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Thompson, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins (Atkinson 77 mins), Edge (Duffty 64 mins). Sub. Heckingbottom.

Attendance : 178

With only eleven fit players the Blues gave a tremendous performance in atrocious playing conditions to come away from Nethermoor with three points. Missing were Chris Hilton, Dean Jones, Gary Duffty and Craig Atkinson but Gary Hatto returned after suspension.

Playing into a gailforce wind interspersed with snow, rain and hail showers, the Blues defence held out well during the first half. Chances were few and far between early on as Guiseley had most of the play but never really tested O'Connor. In fact, the first save he had to make was after 22 minutes when he was forced to turn a 40 yard free kick around the post. However, the game didn't really come to life until the half hour mark. First of all Hanby made a strong run into the box to receive a throw from the left. His burst left him clear in the box but the home keeper blocked Hanby's shot well. Immediately the home side broke and O'Connor was forced to save brilliantly a low shot from six yards. On 33 minutes Hayward centred to the unmarked Hanby on the edge of the box but his first time shot went wide of the right hand upright.

The second half saw Frickley have the wind advantage and they duly took the lead after 52 minutes. Hatto curled a free-kick from some 40 yards out on the left deep into the Guiseley box and a defender turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Edge at the far post. Guiseley responded and Parke hit the bar from the edge of the box before O'Connor amazingly turned away the follow-up from point blank range. The hosts began to get physical as things weren't going their way and Parke was extremely fortunate to stay on the field when he struck out at Cranston, knocking him to the ground, but the referee, Mr Cooke, deemed a yellow card adequate and even booked Cranston as well! Hayward was then unlucky as he anticipated a mix up between two Guiseley defenders to run on to a through ball from Beckett but the wind carried the ball too far in front of him and he could only lob the ball over the bar as the keeper charged out at him. Frickley continued to push for a second goal and Hanby ought to have done better when Hayward cut the ball back from the goal line to him but he could only head wide of an empty net from 12 yards. Canston then intercepted a pass on the right hand side of the Guiseley box and crossed to the unmarked Collins six yards out at the far post but somehow the keeper managed to block his goalbound effort for a corner. Frickley hung on at the end as Guiseley through men forward to try and get an equaliser and were well worth their win.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, M. Thompson, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins, Cranston. Sub. I. Thompson.

Attendance : 156

Relegation worries intensified for Frickley as they went down in Cumbria. Despite having one of the competition's leading scorers in Andy Hayward, who has 23 goals to his credit, Frickley's scoring drought continued when a strike in each half led to their downfall.

Dean Jones clipped the bar with a header in the 6th minute before Gary Duffty had a shot diverted off the line by Mark Hume in a lively start by the visitors. Rob Hanby then had a 30 yard drive smothered by Simon Bishop after 21 minutes. Barrow scored in the 26th minute when a free-kick from Neil Doherty fell to Steve Housham who rifled his shot past Derek O'Connor. They improved their lead from a goalmouth scramble in the 55th minute with Doherty stabbing the ball into the net.

Hayward was denied by a couple of superb saves as Frickley finished strongly. Nicky Cranston then had a shot blocked and Ian Edge had a curling cross tipped over the bar as the home defence were shaken but remained intact.

Frickley Athletic: O'Connor, Hilton, Edge, Jones, Gardner, Cranston, Hanby, Hayward, Duffty, Collins. Subs. None

Attendance : 1073

The Blues stopped the run of four successive League defeats with a good display against sixth place Gainsborough and deserved to take all three points. Ex-Trinity player Rob Hanby had the first effort of the game, shooting wide form just in side the box after 4 minutes following a corner on the left. Gainsborough struck back with Woods heading just over from a free-kick on the right after 12 minutes. The chances began to dry up as the two teams cancelled each other out in midfield, although Trinity had slightly more of the possession in the first half and had the last chance of the half when Circuit blazed over from 18 yards a minute before the break.

The second half was more open as the Blues pressed forward a lot more in search of a much needed goal. Nicky Cranston had a volley from the edge of the box well saved at the foot of the left hand post before they came close again after 51 minutes when Mick Thompson had a header which was well saved by Curry in the Gainsborough goal following a right wing corner. A minute later Hanby headed over from a free-kick by Jones. The visitors replied with O'Connor having to punch over a 20 yard drive by McCord on 55 minutes before the Blues got back on the offensive again. Three minutes later a right wing corner by Cranston was only half cleared and Jones lobbed the ball just wide of the far post with Curry stranded and then on 63 minutes Curry brought off the save of the game. Hayward played the ball into the path of Thompson who let fly with a right foot shot from 25 yards but Curry turned the ball away brilliantly. Trinity came close to snatching the game ten minutes from time when a header hit the underside of the bar and O'Connor was forced to tip the bouncing ball over for a corner before almost immediately Duffty put Hayward clear and he fell to the ground just inside the area following a challenge by a Gainsborough defender. The referee waved away claims for a penalty, which was probably correct but the defender definitely pulled him back by his shirt but some eight yards outside the area which was also not given.

All in all a welcome point but a couple of wins are needed soon.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Earnshaw, Jones, Gardner, Heckingbottom (Edge 35), Cranston, Hanby, Hayward, Thompson, Collins (Duffty 76). Sub Atkinson

Gainsborough Trinity : Curry, Price, Allen, McCord (Mellon 71), James, Gore, Quinn, Circuit, Woods, Drayton (Riley 61 (Saville 90)), Bennett.

Attendance : 241

The kick off was delayed by forty minutes as the Frickley coach was caught up in traffic on the M6 following an accident with the referee, Mr Swarbrick from Preston, also being delayed for the same reason. The Blues were on the back foot for much of the first half but O'Connor was rarely troubled and the Blues looked dangerous on the break. Scott Collins came close to opening the scoring in the first minute but his close range effort from a tight angle hit the side netting. The home side forced several corners but they were dealt with by the Frickley defence and it was Frickley who created the best chance of the first half when Hayward broke down the right and crossed to Collins. His first time shot from 10 yards flew just over the bar with the keeper rooted to the spot.

The second half saw Frickley enjoy a lot more possession as they looked on course for a least a draw. After 54 minutes Collins headed over following a free kick by Beckett and then on 74 minutes Hayward released Hilton on the edge of the box but his shot went narrowly over the bar. At the other end another Bay corner was cleared off the line with O'Connor beaten before a through ball found Hayward with only the last defender to beat. The defender got a tackle in but the ball ricocheted in to the box where Collins was lurking. The keeper managed to smother his shot and the ball fell to Hayward but his well controlled volley was again blocked by the keeper. Nicky Cranston was then sent off following a fracas in the middle of the pitch. There could be no complaints about the sending off but there certainly could be as to why no Bay player was even cautioned for retaliating. A few minutes later Bay took the lead when a mix up between Jones and Gardner following a long ball forward allowed a Bay forward to nip between them and lift the ball over O'Connor. Duffty came on to replace Heckingbottom as Frickley tried to get on terms but the nearest they came was from a goalmouth scramble following a corner.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom (Duffty 86 mins), Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins, Cranston. Subs Edge, Atkinson.

The Blues bounced back from last week's FA 'Umbro' Trophy defeat at Emley with a deserved victory over high flying Marine in the UniBond League Challenge Cup Quarter Final. With Danny Brewter having left the club in midweek Mick Thompson partnered Andy Hayward up front with Mark Earnshaw and Mark Heckingbottom coming in to the defence.

Frickley came close to opening the scoring after only three minutes but Dean Jones steered his effort just wide of the near post from close range following a corner on the left. However, Marine took the lead after eleven minutes with their first serious attempt at goal. A deep cross was sent over from the left which eluded Derek O'Connor and Scott was unmarked at the far post to head the ball home. The game begun to get a little scrappy with chances at a premium. Marine came close to adding a second but Chris Hilton managed to block the shot with O'Connor beaten before on 30 minutes Marine 'keeper Clarke flapped at a cross from the right but there was no Blues player there to convert the chance. Five minutes later Hayward had a flick header which hit the side netting and then on 38 minutes Hilton again cleared for Frickley after Scott had beaten O'Connor to a through ball and cut the ball back across goal. The Blues upped the tempo a little as half time approached and Gary Hatto blazed wide from 8 yards with an angled shot after some neat football had put him clear in the left hand side of the box. Then in injury time a long ball forward from Hatto was mis-headed by a Marine defender and ANDY HAYWARD, who had gambled on the mistake happening, seized on the loose ball to fire across Clarke and just inside the left hand post from 15 yards.

The Blues emerged for the second half fired up and almost took the lead less than a minute into the second half but Duane Beckett's shot was blocked after Hayward had set him up. After 52 minutes Hayward and Hatto combined well on the right for the former to sprint clear down the right. He cut the ball back but Hatto has hustled out of his shot. A minute later O'Connor held onto a 30 yard free-kick and then ten minutes later was called on to make a brilliant double save. Fist he palmed away what looked to be a certain goal from a header from six yards then he scrambled up off the ground to divert the follow up shot over the bar. The save proved crucial as on 66 minutes a Marine defender headed back across his own goal when under pressure from Hayward and HATTO headed the ball in from close range. O'Connor then saved well from a shot by Gamble following a scramble in the area and then Hayward had an 18 yard shot saved after Hatto put him clear. Mick Thompson came close to sealing the victory on 87 minutes when Hayward broke away down the left, cross to Thompson but his first time shot from 15 yards hit the side netting with the 'keeper well beaten. The Blues had to endure a nerve wracking last few minutes but deservedly held on to progress to the semi-finals.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Heckingbottom (Collins 78 mins), Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Thompson, Hatto. Subs Duffty, Atkinson.

Rob Hanby made a welcome return to the Blues line-up after injury but Ian Edge was missing due to an injury sustained in a motorcycle accident and recent signing Nicky Cranston was cup-tied.

Frickley got off to a disastrous start when Gary Hatto was sent off after only ninety seconds following an altercation with Calcutt. The Emley player appeared to pull Hatto back off the ball and the two confronted each other. In stepped Referee David Babski of Scunthorpe to show Hatto the red card but he didn't even speak to Calcutt. To make matters worse he proceded to award a free-kick to Emley. This set the tone for the match with Mr Babski blatantly favouring the home side.

The Blues had two let-offs when Emley twice hit the woodwork before they took the lead on 25 minutes. There was a misunderstanding between Chris Hilton and Andy Hayward down Frickley's left wing and the ball broke for an Emley forward to take the ball on and fire past the advancing O'Connor. O'Connor made a couple of good saves before Craig Atkinson played the ball between Emley's two centre backs for HAYWARD to fire past Rhodes on 33 minutes. The Blues then began to enjoy a bit of possession and Brewster had a goal bound shot blocked by a defender's arm but Mr Babski was having none of it. Then, forty seconds into injury time disaster struck when a high ball into the box from the right dropped over Mick Thompson to an Emley forward. His shot was blocked by O'Connor but the ball bounced up and spun over the line despite Hilton's attempt to clear.

The second half saw the Blues again under vast amounts of pressure but they coped admirably with ten-men, restricting Emley to long range efforts. Unfortunately, very little was being created at the other end. Scott Collins replaced Brewster after 54 minutes and shortly afterwards he chased a long ball down the right hand side of the area with a defender by his side. The ball struck his heel and as both he and the defender tried to check back to get the ball the defender fell, pulling Collins to the ground with him - Mr babski's verdict....free-kick to Emley!!!

Paul David had several wild long range efforts for the home side before the Blues gave one final push with Mick Thompson moving up front. One chance fell to Chris Hilton, running in from the left but his shot was well held at the near post by Rhodes.

In the end it was a good overall performance by the Blues with ten men for 88¹/₂ minutes which deserved more... a pity the same couldn't be said for Mr Babski!!!

Frickley Atheltic : O'Connor, Gardner, Hilton, Jones, Thompson, Brewster (Collins 54 mins), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Atkinson (Duffty 60 mins), Hatto. Subs. Heckingbottom, Earnshaw, Higgins.

The Blues went down to their second heavy defeat of the Holiday period after again giving a poor overall showing. Ian Thompson gave a debut to Nicky Cranson from Barrow, who signed this morning, in the place of Rob Hanby who is still injured. Andy Hayward and Mickt Thompson both returned to the side with Mark Earnshaw being relegated to the subs bench.

Frickley had the best of the opening exchanges with the first chance falling to Dean Jones who headed a free kick from the left corner of the penalty area by Gary Hatto just wide of the near post. Shortly afterwards Hayward laid the ball off to Duane Beckett on the edge of the area but his 20 yard shot went just wide of the left hand upright. Worksop struck back and ought to have taken the lead with a free header following a cross from the right but O'Connor somehow blocked the effort and Chris Hilton hacked the ball off the line. Hayward then headed wide from 15 yards when a cross was deflected into his path before Worksop took the lead on 28 minutes after a deep cross was chested into the path of the unmarked Johnson who fired home. Danny Brewster then had a shot deflected that wrong-footed the 'keeper but it took enough power off the shot to enable him to recover and save. Hayward then missed another chance when the ball fell to him in the box but the keeper saved at his feet before Worksop added a second on the stroke of half time, breaking from their own half to score at the far post at the second attempt after the first struck Hilton and rebounded off the post.

The second half was a different kettle of fish. Scott Collins came on to replace Brewster and Mick Thompson was pushed up front but this was to no avail as the Blues play became awful as Worksop obviously wanted to win much more. The home side went 3-0 up within two minutes of the restart after O'Connor could only parry a shot and the rebound was followed up. Frickley showed virtually nothing going forward and left Worksop with acres of room to play in. Several times they were presented with opportunities to increase their lead and only rank bad finishing prevented them from grabbing several more. As it was they had to wait until the 84th minute to score their fourth when O'Connor could only punch the ball to the edge of the area and the loose ball was fired in. Frickley's only worthwhile attack of the second half came in the 89th minute when they managed to force a corner but, inevitably, it came to nothing.

If the Blues are to progress past the Third Round of the FA Trophy against Emley a week on Saturday they will have to show a lot more fight and will to win than they did today. The only good thing was the performance of new signing Nicky Cranson. He never stopped battling for the 66 minutes he was on the pitch - hopefully a few others might take note!

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Gardner, Hatto, Jones, Hilton, Thompson, Beckett, Cranson (Atkinson 66 mins), Hayward, Brewster (Collins 45 mins), Edge. Sub. Earnshaw.

Without the suspended Andy Hayward and the injured pair of Mick Thompson and Rob Hanby the Blues struggled to make any impression against Droylsden who they had beaten only a month before in the FA Trophy. Danny Brewster made his first appearance after injury since the Trophy match in place of Hayward.

The Blues looked lively up front in the opening minutes with Brewster being unlucky in only the second minute when he ran on to a long ball and managed to hold off the defence but his shot under pressure was straight at the 'keeper. Shortly afterwards Atkinson picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area but his shot was weak and saved easily. Droylsden took the lead after 15 minutes following their first attack of the game when Wright was brought down just inside the area and O'Connor was given no chance with the penalty. This stunned the Blues and chances dried up until the second half.

Frickley started to push forward, looking for the equaliser in the second half with Brewster again being unlucky in the 52nd minute. Hatto sent over a cross from the left which the 'keeper could only punch and the ball fell to Brewster only five yards out but his header was cleared off the line. A minute later Edge beat two men and laid the ball off to Hatto but his 20 yard effort went just wide. Then Jones put a 25 yard free-kick over the bar before Collins ought to have levelled the scores when a ball forward by Hilton split the defence but Collins could only lob the ball wide. The miss was to prove costly as three minutes later, in the 66th minute, Droylsden substitute Green beat Gardner and then forced the ball past O'Connor for the Bloods second. Cunningham then missed a chance for the visitors when he sliced wide from 12 yards before Droylsden scored a third when a shot from 20 yards ricocheted off a Blues defender straight to Carroll who beat O'Connor from 6 yards. Earnshaw then headed a free-kick by Jones wide and then Hilton collected a pass on half way from Edge and advanced to the edge of the area and let fly with a left foot shot that the 'keeper held well. The visitors scored a fourth on 83 minutes when a free-kick on half way was flicked on and Holmes scored from close range.

Frickley Atheltic: O'Connor, Hilton, Earnshaw, Jones, Gardner, Edge, Beckett, Hatto, Atkinson (Duffty 45 mins), Collins, Brewster. Subs. Heckingbottom, Hanby

Attendance : 152

The Blues, who were without the injured Mick Thompson, Danny Brewster and Chris Hilton, gave away two sloppy goals in the first ten minutes which gifted three points to Runcorn. The goals, after 8 and 9 minutes, both came after the Blues defence failed to clear hopeful balls into the area. However, the Blues responded well after this early set-back and came close after 14 minutes when Collins had a shot well saved but almost immediately Runcorn broke quickly but O'Connor made a brilliant save on the edge of his box, smothering the ball at the attacker's feet. The Blues suffered another blow on 18 minutes when Rob Hanby was carried off following a tackle on him 35 yards from goal but from the resulting free-kick DEAN JONES fired the Blues back into the game. The game began to die a little and the chances dried up as the half wore on.

The second half saw the Blues push forward early on and after 46 minutes a corner by Beckett was cleared off the line at the far post before Hayward beat the Runcorn full-back but his shot from a tight angle was straight at the 'keeper. After 66 minutes the Blues came close to levelling the score when Hatto had a 25 yard free-kick turned over the bar and from the corner Runcorn again cleared off the line. That turned out to be the Blues last hope as Runcorn started to take control of the game but the Blues defence held pretty firm, just limiting their hosts to a few long range wayward strikes at goal.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby (Heckingbottom 19 mins), Hayward, Collins, Atkinson. Sub. Duffty, I. Thompson.

Kicking off in a heavy snow shower, which certainly reduced the 'gate' by a significant amount, the Blues started well with Beckett having a low 18 yard drive saved by Rhodes in the Emley goal and two minutes later Rhodes pulled of a great save to deny Hatto with a 25 yard free-kick after Craig Atkinson had been fouled. After seven minutes Atkinson flicked in Beckett's free-kick from the right but he was ruled to be offside. Emley's first chance almost saw them take the lead when a mix-up between O'Connor and Hilton left the visitors with an empty net but from a tight angle but Hilton got back to clear the final shot off the line. The visitors began to come more into the game and a mistake by Beckett saw Day beat O'Connor from 30 yards but the ball came back off the right hand post. The Blues hit back and Hilton was presented with a chance when Rhodes cleared straight to him but his 18 yard shot went over the bar on 23 minutes. A minute later O'Connor saved well at his near post from Robshaw before the game drifted into a bit of a stalemate. In the final few minutes of the first half Frickley forced a succession of corners but were unable to find a way through resolute Emley defence.

The second half saw Emley go close after 53 minutes following a corner from the right but the final header went over the bar and then on 65 minutes Rhodes punched away a stinging 25 yard free-kick by Jones. Two minutes later Hanby was presented with a chance when a corner from the right was played short to him on the right hand side of the penalty area but his shot went wide of the near post. As the weather got colder and the pitch began to freeze the football began to get scrappy and the chances more sparse. However, on 73 minutes Edge had a good run down the right and his cross found substitute Collins only six yards out but Rhodes made a brilliant save to deny him. Then on 80 minutes Edge had a fantastic run down the right, starting in his own half. He then cut inside and let fly with a low shot that Rhodes smothered well.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Thompson (Heckingbottom 60 mins), Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Edge, Atkinson (Collins 63 mins)

Attendance : 189

The Blues were brought back down to earth with a bang after their recent good run of home form as Barrow ran in four first half goals as the Blues defence caved in. However, Frickley gave a storming second half display and were unfortunate to score only once as Barrow started to lose their heads and began to get malicious with their tackling.

Frickley started strongly when after only two minutes Beckett's cross was just too deep for Hayward and then a minute later Hatto's cross from the left found Hayward but his effort was easily saved by Horridge in the Barrow goal. Then, with their first attack of the match, Barrow took the lead when a corner from the right was met by Hume at the back post to head in. The Blues then forced the pace a little and Beckett's ball over the defence sent Hayward clear on the right but his attempt to lob Horridge was weak and easily saved. After 19 minutes the Blues equalised when Hilton's cross from the right was sliced by a Barrow defender and HAYWARD steered the ball in. Two minutes later the Blues almost snatched the lead when Hilton again sent over good cross from the right but Thompson's header went over the bar. The miss was to prove costly as Barrow broke quickly and Peverill made it 2-1 when he beat O'Connor from a one on one situation just inside the box. Two minutes later Barrow hit the bar following another corner from the right as they swarmed forward. On the half hour they increased their lead when Earnshaw's poor pass out of defence enabled Peverill to be put clear in the area and he made short work of despatching his second goal. Things got even worse for the Blues right on half time when from yet another corner from the right the ball sailed straight in.

The second half saw Frickley take the game to Barrow to try and restore some pride an almost pulled a goal back within a minute of the restart when Horridge completely missed a free-kick from the right bu there was no blue shirt their to apply the finishing touch. The Blues forced several corners which came to nothing before Thompson was put clear but his shot was nearer the corner flag than the goal. However, the Blues did get some reward on the hour mark when the ball was played to Hayward on the edge of the Barrow area and he found HATTO on the left who cut into the box to fire under Horridge. Hayward then got clear down the left and cut the ball back across goal but Thompson couldn't quite get on the end of it and then Heckingbottom, who had replaced Earnshaw, shot just over from 18 yards following a corner on the left. Then Barrow's Brydon brought down Hayward on the edge of the box but as play continued with the Blues on the attack the two of them tangled again as Hayward tried to get into the area and Brydon struck him in front of the referee who had no option but to send him off. Hatto took the resulting free-kick which was deflected wide for a corner which saw Heckingbottom have a 30 yard effort deflected wide for yet another corner. Then, on 78 minutes the game was put beyond doubt when a poor pass by Jones saw Barrow break away and the ball was forced in at the far post. Edge was then brought down to the right of the area by tackle that ended his match prematurely before Hanby had the Blues last effort on 88 minutes with a 20 yard shot that brought a brilliant save out of Horridge.

All in all Barrow probably deserved the win for their first half show but they showed a different side to themselves in the second half when they were under the cosh for long periods and resorted to more physical means to win possession.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw (Heckingbottom 64 mins), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Thompson, Edge (Collins 87 mins). Sub. Atkinson.

Attendance : 267

The Blues coasted through to the Third Round of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup with only ten men for the last half hour after Mick Thompson was sent off, apparently for swearing at the referee. Frickley rested Chris Hilton with Andy Hayward being only on the bench and Craig Atkinson played his first game for the Blues following his injury sustained at the start of last season.

The visitors started the game brightly but without really troubling the home defence. The Blues, playing into a very strong wind in the first half, took 24 minutes to have their first attempt at goal, Thompson's header being well saved following Gary Hatto's cross from the left. Four minutes later Phoenix went close when a deep cross from the left was cleared off the line but Frickley took the lead on 33 minutes when DEAN JONES forced the ball in following a corner on the left. After 40 minutes the Blues should have had a penalty when Ian Edge beat several defenders before being brought down clearly inside the box but Mr. Bassindale made one of several very strange decisions throughout the game and awarded an indirect free-kick right on the line of the penalty area. The resulting kick was tapped to Hatto but his effort landed on the roof of the net. The Blues had a let off right on half time when Riley burst into the area but lobbed over from 12 yards as O'Connor came out.

Chris Higgins replaced O'Connor at half time and the Blues increased their lead on 47 minutes with DUANE BECKETT sending a corner from the left straight in before Andy Hayward replaced Scott Collins on 51 minutes. Within three minutes Hayward had a goal disallowed for offside and then a minute later he hit the bar from six yards after Thompson cut the ball back across goal to him. After 56 minutes Higgins made a brilliant diving save to his left to turn a goalbound shot away for a corner. However, from the corner Brookes had a shot charged down but as Higgins tried to keep the ball in it was kicked from his grasp and scrambled over the line with Higgins being booked for his protests. Four minutes later Thompson was penalised for offside and was then given his marching orders. Hatto then played Hayward in with a free run at goal but he shot straight at the keeper before on 74 minutes Atkinson broke down the left side of the area and cut the ball back for BECKETT to score his second. The scoring was completed on 84 minutes when a mistake by Brookes left HAYWARD clear and he made no mistake this time to notch his 20th goal of the season.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor (Higgins 45), Edge, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, M. Thompson, Collins (Hayward 51), Atkinson. Sub I. Thompson.

Attendance : 42

Frickley began the game well and came close to taking the lead after only 3 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out to the left of the box. Andy Hayward played the ball square to Dean Jones whose thunderous shot just missed the left the left hand post, with the Hyde 'keeper well beaten. This stung the home side to life with O'Connor having to make several routine saves before a corner from the left saw an effort cleared off the line with O'Connor beaten. The Blues goal came under frequent attacks for the majority of the half but the defence held firm and came close to snatching a half time lead when Hayward retrieved a deep cross which the Hyde defence had given up for dead and flicked the ball into an empty goalmouth but their was no Frickley player to apply the final touch.

The second half saw the Blues show more as an attacking force and they deservedly took the lead after 58 minutes when a cross from the left by Hayward saw SCOTT COLLINS fire home from 10 yards. However, the joy was short lived as Hyde levelled the scores two minutes later with a bullet-like header following a cross from the left. The Blues stuck to the task in hand well and regained the lead on 75 minutes when, following a Blues corner, HAYWARD's deflected shot from the edge of the box went into the roof of the net. Hyde then began to get rattled and some of their challenges started to be a bit over aggressive as the Blues threatened to take control. The scores were level again after 80 minutes when some hesitant defending allowed Yeo to score but there was to be a final twist as almost immediately the Blues went ahead for a third time with a Hyde defender turning a Duane Beckett cross into his own goal. Hyde's tackles continued to be of a crude nature as they got more frustrated and they were punished when they had a player sent off in the final minute.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins, Edge (Hekingbottom 76). Subs. Atkinson, I. Thompson.

Attendance : 303

The Blues staged a storming second half comeback as they recovered from a 3-1 deficit at half time to win 4-3 courtesy of an Andy Hayward hat-trick and a goal from Mick Thompson

Droylsden drew first blood, taking the lead after only 8 minutes when Tony Carroll broke clear to place the ball under the advancing O'Connor with the Blues defence appealing for offside. The Blues first chance came after 12 minutes when Duane Beckett's free-kick found the head of Mark Earnshaw but his header was too high. Droylsden then forced a couple of corners and from one of these Neil Whalley's shot from the edge of box has held by O'Connor at the second attempt. The Blues then started to push a little more with Danny Brewster causing them problems down the right and after 18 minutes Hayward's cross into the box found Gary Hatto at the far post but his volley from 10 yards flew over. Then Brewster went on another run down the right and as he cut in he was felled by a cynical challenge by Whalley and had to be stretchered off to be replaced by Scott Collins. The game died a bit from then until on 33 minutes Droylsden extended their lead when Whalley hit a 35 yard shot that beat O'Connor but hit the underside of the crossbar and went in off the unlucky O'Connor's back. However, the Blues got a much needed lifeline on 38 minutes when HAYWARD somehow threaded a shot through a crowded penalty area an into the bottom left hand corner of the goal with the 'keeper unsighted. The joy was short lived as the visitors netted a third a minute before the break from close range as the home defence several time failed to clear.

The second half saw Frickley push forward and force a few early corners before on 53 minutes they reduced the arrears when Collins licked the ball on for THOMPSON to race clear and fire home. The Blues maintained the momentum, forcing more corners which went unrewarded and then after 61 minutes Collins again flicked the ball , this time for HAYWARD to race clear of the defence and lob the ball over the advancing Williams in the Droylsden goal. The visitors were rocking and were resorting to more physical means of stopping the Blues with substitute Ian Edge being singled out for some rough treatment. After 79 minutes a cross by Rob Hanby from the left found Thompson at the far post but he couldn't keep his header down but five minutes later a corner from the right was headed on by a Droylsden player to the far post where HAYWARD scored from close range to put the Blues ahead for the first time. The score could have been even more as two minutes later a cross from the right by Edge was headed just wide by Beckett as he charged into the box and then Hayward shot over from inside the box after a good pass from Edge gave him the chance.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw (Edge 35 mins), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Thompson, Brewster (Collins 27 mins). Subs. Haywood, Heckingbottom.

Attendance : 173

The Blues bounced back from Saturday's defeat in fine fashion with a comfortable win against Gateshead in the Second Group Stage of the UniBond League Cup. The win puts them into the last eight of the League Challenge Cup as group winners.

Chances in the first half were few and far between for both sides. Frickley's first chance came after seven minutes when Duane Beckett's free-kick on the right flew across the goalmouth with both Danny Brewster and Mick Thompson just unable to get the vital touch. Two minutes later Gateshead's Preen turned in the box and fired into the side netting and there was another let off for the Blues six minutes later when Earnshaw lost the ball to leave Gateshead in a 3 on 2 situation but Preen took too much time and the chance was lost. On 18 minutes Frickley took the lead when Brewster headed the ball back from the edge of the area to Thompson who then fed ANDY HAYWARD who fired in from 12 yards. Shortly afterwards, Proudlock had a 25 yard free-kick turned around the post by O'Connor before the chances started to dry up and the game became a little scrappy up to half-time.

The Blues started the second half well and after 52 minutes Gateshead's 'keeper, Swan, dropped the ball under pressure from Thompson but Hatto could only stab the loose ball over the bar. Four minutes later Thompson was denied by a last ditch tackle on the edge of the box just has he was about to shoot and then Hayward had the ball in the net again only for an offside flag to deny him. Dean Jones then turned and shot narrowly over the bar following a corner before the Blues extended their lead when a deep cross from the left by Hatto was collected by HAYWARD who turned and fired in after 73 minutes. Two minutes later it was 3-0 as Hatto charged down a clearance on the left, raced into the box and pulled the ball back for THOMPSON to tap into an empty goal. The visitors managed to pull a goal back after 81 minutes but the tie was all but over.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Earnshaw (Haywood 77 mins), Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Thompson, Brewster (Collins 77 mins). Sub. Duffty.

Attendance : 154

After being forced into a couple of changes due to Danny Brewster suffering an injury on Tuesday and Duane Beckett missing the team bus to Whitby, Frickley gave a poor first half showing. Whitby dictated most of the play during the first half as their players were obviously more motivated than Frickley's and they deservedly took the lead after 32 minutes when Ludlow beat O'Connor to the ball at the edge of the area to fire into an empty net. This did finally stir Frickley into action and their first attempt at goal came in the 36th minute when a corner was only partly cleared and Mark Earnshaw volleyed over from 20 yards.

The second half saw Frickley start to play with more determination and Rob Hanby was unlucky not to equalise when his angled effort from 15 yards rebounded off the top of the crossbar. A few minutes later Gary Hatto sent a teasing cross into the area and both Andy Hayward and Gary Duffty just failed to get a decisive touch on the ball. Scott Collins replaced the ineffective Ian Edge after 59 minutes as Ian Thompson pushed players forward in an attempt to salvage something from the game. Duffty then had a golden chance to level the scores when a cross from the right saw him clear in the box with only the 'keeper to beat but he scuffed his shot wide of the right hand post. Frickley were now pushing strongly and it seemed only a matter of time before a goal came. Following a corner the ball fell to Earnshaw on the far post but he chose to head back across goal instead of into an empty net! Then disaster struck when Dean Jones played a poor free-kick from half way straight to Whitby's Robinson who raced clear but, despite O'Connor saving his initial shot, the rebound fell at his feet for him to slot home. Frickley's heads went down and Whitby added a third in the final few minutes when Dobbin scored from inside the box.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Earnshaw, Jones, Gardner, Thompson, Hanby, Edge (Collins 59 mins), Hayward, Duffty (Heckingbottom 80 mins), Hatto. Sub. Beckett.

Frickley made it four wins in four games in November with a 3-2 win over Hucknall despite having to come from behind to do so. Hucknall took the lead after 22 minutes following some poor defending by the Blues but on the stroke of half time Gary Hatto was brought down inside the area and HATTO himself scored from the spot to level scores.

Seven Minutes after the break ANDY HAYWARD converted a cross from close range to put the home side ahead and after 60 minutes MICK THOMPSON extended the Blues lead with a powerful header. Hucknall managed to pull a goal back after 75 minutes but Frickley hung on to claim three more deserved points.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Thompson, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Edge, Brewster (Duffty 40 mins). Subs. Earnshaw, Collins.

Attendance : 106

Ian Thompson took the opportunity to rest a few of his senior players and gave a run out to some of the squad players as the Blues cruised to a 3-1 win over Sheffield County Senior League side Davy. Frickley pushed forward from the start but had to wait until just before half time for the breakthrough.

After 3 minutes Chris Hilton put Gary Duffty clear down the right but his cross was headed wide by Danny Brewster and then Scott Collins broke through the visitors defence but his shot under pressure was tipped around the post but referee Uriah Rennie declined to award a corner. Then after 22 minutes Ian edge had a shot from the edge of the box fly just wide of the near post and five minutes later Edge went close again when he shot over from 12 yards following a good run down the left by Brewster. But then on 40 minutes a long ball up field by Edge saw the Davy defence get in a mess as they challenged Collins and the ball broke to BREWSTER who scored with ease from just inside the box. On the stroke of half time the Blues extended their lead when another cross by Edge was flicked on by Collins and BREWSTER headed in his second.

In the second half Davy showed a bit more danger up front and Chris Higgins in the Frickley goal did well to save at the feet of Davy's Broomhead after 51 minutes. Shortly afterwards Gary Hatto had a 25 yard shot go wide of the left hand post and then did the same again after 70 minutes. Higgins was then forced to make another good save following a swift break by the visitors before they pulled a goal back on 80 minutes when a low cross from the left was turned in at the far post. Frickley then pushed for a third as a deep cross by Andy Hayward from the right was cut back into the box by Hatto and Duffty's header was brilliantly turned away for a corner. A few more corners followed and from one of these taken by Duane Beckett on the left DUFFTY headed in the Blues third on 89 minutes.

Frickley Athletic : Higgins, Hilton (Hatto 45 mins), Haywood, Jones, Earnshaw, Heckingbottom, Beckett, Edge, Collins, Duffty, Brewster (Hayward 45 mins).

Attendance : 90

Frickley gave themselves a tremendous chance of topping their group in the Second Group Stage of the UniBond League Cup with a fine 2-0 away win at Whitby Town, and in the process kept a clean sheet for the first time this season.

The first opportunity to score at either end came after 10 minutes when a header by a Whitby forward went wide of the left hand post following a cross from the left but Frickley responded and Mick Thompson had the ball in the net after 15 minutes only for an offside flag to cancel the goal out. A minute later O'Connor reacted quickly to smother the ball at the feet of a Whitby forward at the edge of his area. Frickley took the lead after 28 minutes when a throw-in on the right found Chris Hilton in the centre of the Whitby half. He played the ball out to the left where GARY HATTO let fly with a thunderous 30 yard shot which flew into the top right hand corner of the goal. On the stroke of half time Frickley came close to extending their lead when Danny Brewster broke down the right and crossed to Andy Hayward who was unmarked on the edge of the box but his control let him down which gave the 'keeper chance to smother his shot.

The second half saw Whitby push forward more and they had a 25 yard free-kick sail over the bar. For Frickley Rob Hanby cut into the box from the right and laid the ball back to Thompson just inside the box but he mis-kicked. Mid-way through the half Brewster beat two defenders on the left before having a close range shot turned away for a corner and then after 87 minutes Thompson chested the ball down for Duane Beckett who burst into the box but had his effort saved by the keeper who deflected it for a corner. The resulting corner was only half cleared and BREWSTER seized on the chance, side-stepped a defender and fired a 15 yard shot into the roof of the net for Frickley's second.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, M. Thompson, Brewster. Subs. Collins, Haywood, I. Thompson

In the end the result was quite a comfortable one but for long periods of this game the Blues made hard work of beating a Winsford side who came to Westfield Lane without a League win this season. Having said that, enough chances were missed to have won by a much larger margin and with a little less casual play they would have done.

The Blues took the game to Winsford from the first whistle and the visitors had a let-off after only three minutes when Mick Thompson just failed to get on the end of a cross from the left with the goal at his mercy after a corner had been only half cleared. Three minutes later Andy Hayward ought to have given Frickley the lead when Thompson played him in but he shot narrowly wide from near the penalty spot as the 'keeper closed him down. However, after nine minutes HAYWARD made amends when he volleyed in from about 8 yards following a cross from the right by Duane Beckett. At this point it seemed like it was a forgone conclusion that Frickley would take three points and it would just be a matter of how many they could score. Ian Edge then beat two men down the right before playing the ball to Thompson on the edge of the box and collecting the return but his shot from 15 yards was blocked by the 'keeper. After 29 minutes Edge had another good run to the Winsford box but took a knock and was forced to be replaced by Danny Brewster. Following the substitution Frickley began to get casual which let Winsford back into the game and following a few attacks that had come to nothing it came as no surprise when they levelled the scores after 43 minutes with a cracking 20 yard drive which dipped just under the bar.

Only 30 seconds after half time Thompson's chipped cross found Hayward at the far post but his prodded shot bobbled agonisingly wide. Then after 56 minutes a run by Scott Collins' into the box saw the ball break to Hayward but his shot was blocked for a corner. Winsford only half cleared from the corner and Beckett broke clear on the left side of the area and chipped the ball to the far post where THOMPSON headed home. A minute later the visitors were almost level again when a header from 6 yards flashed wide of the Blues' goal. But on 59 minutes the game was put beyond doubt when HAYWARD beat a defender to the ball and sprinted clear to finish with ease from just inside the box. Six minutes later he was denied his hat-trick when an angled shot from the edge of the area came back off the far post and then again in the final minute he was set up by a header from Thompson but his shot went narrowly wide from twelve yards.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge (Brewster 29 mins), Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins (Heckingbottom 75 mins), Thompson. Sub. Haywood

Attendance : 144

Frickley gave a much more positive display than they did on Tuesday and were a little unfortunate not to come away from Rossett Park with a share of the points. Playing into rain and a strong wind Frickley began well and forced a few early corners which were dealt with without much problem by the home defence but after 8 minutes Frickley should have taken the lead when Scott Collins was sent clear of the Marine defence but he chose to shoot from 25 yards and his shot was pushed away for a corner by the 'keeper. Marine started to come more into the game but were restricted just long crosses into the Frickley box which were dealt with by Derek O'Connor. After 29 minutes Heckingbottom had a 20 yard shot which flew over before on the stroke of half time Gary Hatto broke into the Marine box but his week right foot shot went narrowly wide of the left hand post.

The second half saw Frickley put Marine under more pressure, especially after new signing Chris Clarke had replaced Collins twelve minutes after the break. Within a few minutes Clark had a shot turned round the post for a corner before Heckingbottom had a strong header go just wide following a good cross by Chris Hilton. However, disaster followed after 75 minutes when a poor throw-in by Mark Earnshaw went straight to a Marine player whose pass started a quick break down the right. A cross into the area and a good finish into the bottom left hand corner followed, leaving O'Connor helpless. Frickley weren't finished and Clark had a shot from 20 yards saved at the second attempt but it wasn't to be Frickley's day.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Edge, Jones, Gardner, Thompson, Beckett, Hanby, Collins (Clark 57 mins), Hatto, Heckingbottom (Earnshaw 71mins). Sub. Haywood

Frickley went down to their heaviest defeat of the season after giving their worst display for a long time in the opening half as they were lucky to be only 3-0 down at the interval.

Arriving with little time to spare, the Blues were never in the game for the first 35 minutes as Blyth opened the scoring after 8 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box by Stewart. Frickley's usually confident and capable defence looked anything but, as Blyth swarmed forward and they extended their lead after 24 minutes when Edgcumbe converted a cross from the right. Frickley's first attempt at goal came after 29 minutes when Gary Hatto saw his 20 yard free-kick sail just over the bar. This was to prove costly as two minutes later the Blues defence was opened up yet again for Blyth to make it 3-0. Frickley survived a few more scares before Mick Thompson wasted a gilt edged chance after 37 minutes when some good football presented him with only the Blyth 'keeper to beat but he managed to lift the ball over the bar when it looked easier to score. Then, as Frickley finally began to come more into the game, a long ball forward saw Ian Edge sprint clear of the home defence but as he tried to push the ball past the advancing 'keeper he appeared to be impeded but no foul was given.

At half time Heckingbottom was replaced by Earnshaw and Hatto moved further forward into midfield. Only a minute into the second half Edge beat his man down the right and sent over a teasing cross which the home 'keeper did well to collect off the head of Danny Brewster and Frickley began to enjoy a bit of possession. However, after 60 minutes Blyth made it 4-0 when a long range effort took a wicked deflection of the back of Dean Jones and left O'Connor stranded as it bounced into the opposite corner to which he was going. Five minutes later Scott Collins, who had replaced the injured Brewster, headed wide with a near post header and then Duane Beckett had an effort go narrowly wide from the edge of the area as Frickley finally started to play like they can do. After 73 minutes COLLINS scored a consolation goal when he was put clean through and then a back pass took an awkward bounce in front of the Blyth 'keeper, bounced off his shin and struck Hatto who had closed him down but the ricochet shot over the bar from ten yards. Hatto then turned his marker and shot from 25 yards which brought a good save from the keeper but that proved to be the last chance.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Hanby, Beckett, Edge, Thompson (Haywood 57), Brewster (Collins 57), Heckingbottom (Earnshaw 45).

After a fairly uninspired first half the Blues came to life in the second to hammer Colwyn Bay at Westfield Lane despite being without the suspended Andy Hayward and the now departed Simon Fuller.

Colwyn Bay started the match the better of the two sides and were unfortunate not to take the lead in the first minute when McIlvogue hit the side netting and the Frickley defence were opened up again a few minutes later when McIlvogue again shot wide. The Blues first attempt at goal came after 20 minutes when Marc Heckingbottom had a low shot from the edge of the box that went just wide of the far post. However, the Blues took the lead four minutes later when a corner from the right was dropped by Roberts in the Bay goal and MICK THOMPSON headed in. Bay continued to have more of the play with Frickley being limited to chances on the break. From one such break Thompson sent Scott Collins clear down the right. He cut the ball back to Duane Beckett who in turn fed Rob Hanby who shot over the bar from 20 yards. Just before half time Derek O'Connor saved Frickley when he saved a shot by Gelling with his legs.

The second half saw the Blues put the visitors under more pressure and on the hour Chris Hilton played a superb cross field ball to Heckingbottom on the left who crossed to Thompson whose first time shot was blocked by the advancing keeper for a corner. Almost immediately Hanby had a shot charged down for another corner before Limbert had a good run for Colwyn Bay into the Blues area but his low shot was gathered by O'Connor at the second attempt. After 71 minutes Frickley made a double substitution with Mark Earnshaw and Danny Brewster replacing Collins and Heckingbottom and they made an almost immediate impact. After 78 minutes Thompson flicked the ball on for BREWSTER to confidently place the ball past the advancing Roberts and a minute later the Blues went 3-0 up when Beckett found Thompson clear on the left and as Roberts came to meet him he squared the ball for BREWSTER to score his second, tapping into an empty goal from 15 yards. Dean Jones then had a 25 yard free-kick fly narrowly wide before Bay substitute McGoona had a strong run into the Blues penalty area and cut the ball back dangerously across goal but O'Connor managed to get a hand to it to push it clear. But after 87 minutes Bay pulled a goal back through Limbert after Hatto's clearance rebounded back into the Blue's area only for GARY DUFFTY to restore Frickley's three-goal lead a minute later, firing home from just inside the box. Then, after 89 minutes, McGoona had a goal disallowed for offside before Earnshaw brought down Limbert just inside the area but O'Connor saved the resulting penalty and immediately the referee blew the final whistle.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Hanby, Beckett, Edge (Duffty 80 mins), Thompson, Collins (Earnshaw 71 mins). Heckingbottom (Brewster 71 mins)

Attendance : 154

Frickley made it two away wins in a week with a solid performance at Harrison Park. Although Leek had more of the play they rarely troubled Derek O'Connor's goal and Frickley snatched the win with a goal in each half.

Leek started well and Frickley had a narrow escape after 9 minutes when Chris Hilton lost out to a Leek forward which left him with a run at goal from the right of the penalty area but the final shot was poor. The hosts swung several dangerous looking crosses into the box in the first 15 minutes but most were easily dealt with by the Frickley defence. Frickley took the lead following their first corner after 16 minutes. Hatto's short corner found Ian Edge on the corner of the box. He played the ball back to HATTO who cut into the area unchallenged and finished with a strong left footed shot beyond the 'keeper. Frickley then seemed content to sit on their lead and soak up Leek's pressure for the rest of the half, which they managed comfortably.

On the resumption Frickley pushed forward and, two minutes into the second half, Edge had a good run down the right and sent over a cross which found HAYWARD who sent a right footed volley into the bottom left corner of the goal. Six minutes later Frickley survived a scare when O'Connor had to dive full length to knock a long range effort against the bar and the rebound was cleared. Hatto then had a chance to seal the game for Frickley when he got on the end of a deep cross into the Leek box, beat the last defender but delayed his shot long enough for another defender to get across and block his attempt at goal (with what looked suspiciously like an arm!) Leek pulled a goal back when Frickley allowed a Leek player to run from his own half into Frickley's box without putting in a challenge and he played the ball to the far post where the chance was converted with ease. Leek then piled on a bit of pressure but their finishing was poor and O'Connor wasn't troubled further.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, Thompson, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins (Duffty 40 mins), Heckingbottom (Haywood 84 mins). Sub. Earnshaw.

Attendance :

Frickley started this FA Trophy 1st Round replay in a more determined fashion then they did in the first match on Saturday with Mick Thompson having the first sight of goal after 7 minutes when he flicked a header narrowly wide following a Gary Hatto free-kick on the left. Ashton also looked more dangerous than they did on Saturday and they came close on 14 minutes when an Ashton forward turned Lee Gardner inside the area but shot wide. A minute later and Danny Brewster, who formed part of a three pronged attack with Andy Hayward and Scott Collins, had a header cleared off the line after a good cross by Hayward on the right. Immediately afterwards another cross from the right saw Brewster have another header clip the bar. However, Ashton's next attack saw them take the lead when Derek O'Connor let a shot from 18 yards drop from his grasp and the ball sneaked over the line. Ashton then took a hold of the game and spurned a few chances to add to their lead, which they held until the break.

The second half saw Brewster come close with a shot from 20 yards before some poor defending let Ashton in for their second. At this point Frickley were struggling to find some rhythm and Ashton came close on several occasions to adding to their tally. But as time went on the hosts began to fade and Frickley's fortunes took a turn for the better when Collins lifted a ball into the area and HATTO headed beyond the 'keeper to reduce the arrears. This signalled the start of some heavy pressure by Frickley and after 89 minutes Hayward had a goal disallowed for offside before THOMPSON equalised two minutes into injury time. Then two minutes later Beckett came close to winning the tie when his shot from 25 yards hit the outside of the left hand post.

The first period of extra time saw O'Connor twice make saves to keep Frickley in the match but then two minutes into the second period Collins was brought down just inside the area and HATTO stepped up to give Frickley the lead from the spot. Then seven minutes later a through ball from Fuller sent HAYWARD clear to notch Frickley's fourth and give them a home tie against Droylsden in the Second Round.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Hilton, Hatto, Thompson, Gardner, Fuller, Beckett, Edge, Hayward, Collins, Brewster (Heckingbottom). Sub. Hanby.

Attendance : 142

In a pretty dire game 10-man Frickley hit back from a goal down to snatch a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time. Ashton started the match well, putting the Blues defence under pressure without really creating a clear cut opportunity. The Blues first attempt at goal came after 13 minutes when Scott Collins shot wide from the right side of the penalty area. A minute later Mick Thompson had a 25 yard effort fly over the bar after he was teed up by Rob Hanby. Ashton responded and O'Connor did well to tip a header by Comley-Excell over the bar but all in all there was very little goalmouth action at either end.

The second half saw Ian Edge move into a more forward position, with Chris Hilton moving to right back. The Blues began this half more positively with Collins again shooting wide from the edge of the box after 55 minutes and two minutes later a deep cross from the right found the head of Gary Hatto who headed wide from four yards out. After 64 minutes Ashton took the lead when their forward beat the last defender and flicked the ball past the advancing O'Connor.

Frickley tried to push forward more but things just weren't happening in midfield and then, after 79 minutes, things got even worse when a linesman attracted the referee's attention to an off-the-ball incident and Andy Hayward was sent off, apparently for striking an opponent. In Hayward's absence Mick Thompson moved up front for the last push forward. Danny Brewster, who had replaced Edge, had a shot turned away for a corner after 88 minutes and then Hatto took a long throw into the box which was flicked on to DUANE BECKETT who finished well into the left hand corner of the goal.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge (Brewster 62 mins), Hatto, Thompson, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins (Duffty 83), Fuller. Sub. Earnshaw

Attendance : 142

Just when it seemed as though the Blues had weathered the Hucknall storm and looked to heading for at least a point a mistake by Ian Edge gave the hosts all three points.

Hucknall started the match strongly, knocking plenty of high balls in for their tall attacking players to feed from and O'Connor had to be alert on several occasions early on to keep Hucknall at bay. The Blues first effort on goal came after 18 minutes when Fuller combined well with Hatto down the left and continued with his run into the box before having a low shot well saved but Hucknall continued to boss the play with their physical, long ball style and it came as no surprise when they took the lead after 23 minutes.

Frickley's chances were few and far between but Danny Brewster, preferred up front to Scott Collins had a strong shot from the edge of the area saved well by the Hucknall 'keeper. After 38 minutes Andy Hayward was fouled 25 yards out and from the resulting free-kick GARY HATTO curled the ball into the top right hand corner to bring the scores level. For the last seven minutes of the half Hucknall again looked dangerous and only some impressive saves by O'Connor kept the scores level at the break.

The second half saw Hucknall again put pressure on with their long balls into the box but after about an hour's play the hosts started to tire and Frickley started to boss the game a lot more. Hatto played a one-two with Hayward before sending over a deep cross that deceived the 'keeper and skimmed the front of the bar but also eluded the Frickley forward line. Simon Fuller then mis-kicked from 18 yards out with the goal at his mercy after persistence by Brewster set him up. Brewster himself was then played clean through but as he was about to shoot from the edge of the box a heavy tackle came in from behind but the referee waved away all cries for a free-kick. This was to prove costly as Hucknall then had a rare second half attack which Edge halted but he then tried to beat one man too many and was dispossessed on the edge of his own area. The ball was crossed back in for Hucknall to take the lead.

Collins replaced Brewster 2 minutes later and he had the Blues best chance of an equaliser when he headed straight at the keeper after being set up by a flick on by Hayward in the last minute.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, Thompson, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Brewster (Collins 78 mins), Fuller. Sub. Robinson

Attendance : 229

Frickley ended the last unbeaten record in the League by giving one of their best performances of the season to see off Hyde United. The only disappointing aspect was the attendance - only 145.

Playing with the wind behind them in the first half, the Blues started well when in only the second minute Andy Hayward found Ian Edge on the right wing. He beat his man and sent over a good cross that saw Gary Hatto head straight at the 'keeper. Eight minutes later and the Blues came closer still when Hayward ran on to a long kick from O'Connor and just managed to get to the ball before the advancing Hyde 'keeper but his effort hit the inside of the left hand post and agonisingly rolled along the line and out for a goal kick. Frickley then forced a series of corners but without really troubling the Hyde 'keeper before Hyde had their first chance of the game when Yeo blazed over from 6 yards. On 35 minutes the Blues took the lead when Hatto crossed into the box, Fuller flicked the ball on and HAYWARD fired the ball past Bennett in the Hyde goal. Just before half time Hatto beat the offside trap and rounded Bennett out on the left hand side of the area but his cross into the box was cleared for a corner.

The start of the second half saw Hyde look more dangerous, especially with them now having the wind advantage and after 47 minutes Aspinall shot over from close range following a Hyde corner and three minutes later Kojoe Taylor saw a 40 yard effort fly just over. Shortly after O'Connor saved well from another Hyde corner but a mass scramble followed before the ball was finally cleared. After 60 minutes Danny Brewster replaced Scott Collins and his effect was immediate when a free-kick by Mick Thompson found Hatto on the left. He played Brewster in and his cross found HAYWARD who made no mistake. Five minutes later and the move almost repeated with Brewster getting clear down the left and his cross found Hayward again but this time his header was cleared off the line. Hyde again put the Blues under pressure and O'Connor did well to palm a header over the bar following a deep cross from the left after 72 minutes but on 80 minutes HAYWARD got his hat-trick when he broke clear from his own half to slot past the advancing Bennett. Hyde kept pressing a got a deserved consolation after 86 minutes when Walker got on the wrong side of Edge and fired past O'Connor but the Blues had a let-off a minute later when Hyde again had the ball in the net after O'Connor spilled a 25 yard shot but the player who followed up to score was ruled offside.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, Thomspon, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Collins (Brewster 60 mins), Fuller. Subs. Duffty, Earnshaw.

Attendance : 145

The Blues showed one change from Saturday with Scott Collins starting in place of David Brooke but got off to a slow start with Lincoln United forcing three corners in quick succession in the opening minutes before Rob Hanby had Frickley's first attempt at goal with a 30 yard effort that was well saved. Frickley had a lucky escape after 15 minutes when Gray headed wide for the visitors when he really should have scored and a few minutes later Derrick O'Connor saved well from McDaid. The Blues had to wait until the 34th minute for the next serious attempt at goal when Collins had a low shot from twelve yards saved by Ziccardi in the Lincoln goal. However, six minutes later the Blues took the lead when Hayward flicked the ball on to Hanby who in turn fed COLLINS who made no mistake from just inside the box.

Frickley started the second half well with Lee Gardner finding Gary Hatto in acres of space on the left and his cross fell to Ian Edge, whose low shot was well saved. Shortly after Edge's cross found Thompson who blazed over from eight yards. That miss proved costly as Lincoln's next attack brought an equaliser following a free-kick on the right which was headed in by McDaid.

Frickley again pushed forward and after 57 minutes Hayward had a goal disallowed for offside but five minutes later THOMPSON regained the lead for the Blues following some good football by Hanby and Hayward on the right. Ward then blasted over for Lincoln from ten yards and then Ziccardi was forced to make a double save from Thompson - first saving his header and then his follow up shot. But after 73 minutes COLLINS got his second when he score from Edge's cross from the right and almost immediately he just failed to get his hat trick when Hayward raced onto a long ball forward, out paced the last defender and unselfishly headed the ball on to Collins whose header was inches wide of the far post. After 82 minutes Hargreaves blasted yet another Lincoln chance over the bar from the edge of the box before HAYWARD made it 4-1 from just inside the box.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge, Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Thompson, Collins (Duffty 79 mins). Subs. Earnshaw, Brooke

Attendance : 150

In a poor first half neither side really tested the opposing goalkeeper although Bamber Bridge looked the more enterprising going forward but they were limited just a few headed attempts that went wide following corners. Frickley's best chance came from Andy Hayward who shot wide from just inside the box on the right hand side and then Mick Thompson had a volleyed effort from 30 yards that dipped over the bar. But Frickley were incensed right on half-time when Thompson was played through with only the keeper to beat but, just as he has about to control the ball, the referee decided to blow the half-time whistle with only 3 seconds added on even though the game had to be stopped for at least one player to have attention.

On the resumption Bamber Bridge stepped up a gear and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 55 minutes. A long ball was played forward but the Blues defence stood still appealing for offside as the Bridge player ran through to score. Ian Thompson then replaced the ineffective David Brooke with Scott Collins and Frickley's attacking play improved dramatically with Hatto getting away down the left on several occasions and sending over dangerous crosses that weren't converted. However, Frickley got their reward on 82 minutes when a pass from Hatto left Collins through on goal. He failed to control it and it looked as though the chance had gone when the 'keeper came out to collect but somehow he let the ball squirm from his grasp to leave COLLINS an empty goal to fire into from twelve yards. A minute later and the Blues almost snatched the lead. Again from a Hatto cross from the left Collins controlled the ball, turned his marker but, from around the penalty spot he shot narrowly over. The miss was to prove costly as Bamber Bridge swept forward again and from a long cross to the far post O'Connor was taken out by the flight of the ball and a Bridge forward won the header to head back across goal to leave a simple tap in from close range.

Frickley Athletic : O'Connor, Edge (Earnshaw 26 mins), Hatto, Jones, Gardner, Hilton, Beckett, Hanby, Hayward, Brooke (Collins 65 mins), Thompson (Duffty 83mins)

Attendance : 311

The Blues finally got back to winning ways against Bishop Auckland on Tuesday evening with a commanding display but, if only this could have been three days earlier. Frickley pushed forward right from the first whistle and Ian Edge had a good run down the right after only four minutes and he sent over a dangerous looking cross the dipped just over the bar. Eight mi