Official Frickley Athletic Website 

The Blues pushed the Blades all the way in an entertaining pre-season friendly but conceded a goal in each half to finally go down 2-0. Carl Fothergill and Steve Price both returned to the starting line-up with Mike Blyth, who I believe played previously for North Ferriby United, being amongst the subs. The Blades side consisted mainly of reserves but included new signing De Vogt in goal and Gus Ullenbeek at right back.

After absorbing some early United pressure the Blues came close to snatching the lead with almost their first attack on 6 minutes when Fothergill's cross from the right was punched off Gary Duffty's head by De Vogt. The ball fell to Price on the edge of the box but his attempted chip was caught by De vogt. On 9 minutes United's Ward turned and shot narrowly wide of Mark Wilkinson's right hand post and then Wilkinson was forced to pull off a one-handed save from Montgomery's close range header. On 15 minutes the Blades took the lead when Roberts got away from Mark Ogley down the left and sent over a low cross which found Montgomery unmarked at the far post to sidefoot in. This seemed to stun the Blues into action with Price having a low 20 yarder saved just a minute later. Price then sent Fothergill clear down the left before continuing his run into the box where Ullenbeek just managed to get a head ahead to Fothergill's cross before him to concede a corner. Just after the half hour De Vogt was lucky to get away with dropping the ball from a corner as it fell kindly to a United player who cleared up field leaving Roberts clear but he shot tamely at Wilkinson when under pressure from Ogley.

The second half saw plenty of changes from both sides and chances were more at a premium. On 52 minutes Simon Collins headed a corner goalwards but De Vogt flung himself to his right to pull off a brilliant one handed save whilst 8 minutes later Collins spotted De Vogt off his line and attempted to chip him from just over half way but the keeper recovered to save comfortably. The visitors were now rarely threatening with the Blues deserving to draw level. Substitute Blyth went desperately close on 75 minutes when Collins picked out Matt. Russell on the right. His cross picked out Blyth on the near post but his effort hit the side netting. Three minutes later Collins met a corner with a header which was scrambled off the line but the Blues' hopes of grabbing a draw were dashed on 82 minutes when G. Smith scored from Mallon's cross afetr being left unmarked in the box.

Frickley Athletic : Mark Wilkinson (Samways 45), M. Russell, Gowan, Foot, Ogley, Jones, Hanby, Price, Duffty, Fothergill, Collins. Subs. Blyth, A. Russell, Edge, Marsh, Bashforth, White, Gregory, Matt. Wilkinson.

Sheffield United : De Vogt, Ullenbeek, Nicholson, G. Smith, Cryan, Nugent, Montgomery, Tonge, Ward, Roberts, Burley. Subs. T. Thompson, Featherston, L. Thompson, Mallon, A. Smith, Travers.

Attendance : 382