Official Frickley Athletic Website

The Blues went out of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup this evening as they lost 7-6 on penalties after drawing 1-1 after extra time. The visitors took the lead with a mysterious 6th minute penalty but Steve Heath headed the Blues level after Paul Palmer had both hit the cross bar and had a goal disallowed. The Blues also lost both Dean Jones and Steve Kennedy through injury, the latter courtesy of a terrible tackle from Stuart Copnell.

Blaming a referee is often regarded as sour grapes, but Barnsley official Ryan Newman should seriously consider his future if his performance in this incident-filled Sheffield Senior Cup quarter-final constitues his norm.

The Blues once again fell victims to rivals Stocksbridge, going out this time to a spot kick shoot-out after extra-time had seen them still deadlocked, but they had to suffer some bewildering the decisions.

The first came in the fifth minute when Steels were awarded a penalty. It was difficult to see why but, as Chris Hilton was booked, he must have been the culprit.

Mick Goddard converted the kick, and went close again with an angled 18 yards drive five minutes later.

A pinpoint cross from Ben Eastwood found Paul Palmer unmarked in the 21st minute but his header came back off the bar, while Palmer was denied by a full length save from Steve Hodgson 11 minutes later.

Remo Nesa had a shot parried by the visiting keeper in the 32nd minute and Lee Morris steered the rebound into the net, but was ruled off-side.

Appeals for a penalty when a low cross from Morris was handled in the 42nd minute were ignored but Morris curled in a flag kick and Steve Heath powered in a ten yard header to level.

Frickley increased the tempo after the interval, Ben Eastwood, spotting the keeper off the line, striking a 30 yard volley which Hodgson just got back to catch, while Palmer put a brace of snap shots inches off target.

Palmer was blatently upended after breaking into the opposing penalty area in the 87th minute, but the Blues only reward was a corner kick.

Extra-time saw Steve Heath take the ball from his own half and hammer a 35 yard drive which zipped just wide of the near post, while a brace of corners led to Nesa having an effort blocked with Palmer's shot from the rebound being turned off the line.

Dean Jones limped off after a heavy tackle, while skipper Steve Kennedy had to be carried off in the 110th minute, following a deliberate hacking down from Stuart Copnell.

In the spot kick decider, Copnell, Steve Howes and Ian Mclean scored for Stocksbridge, Lee Morris and Paul Palmer responding for the Blues but Remo Nesa fired wide.

Jon Hood saved Mick Goddard's effort, Calum Selby equalising, with Dave Cockerill, Andy Wright, Joe Appleyard and Ryan Ludlam all successful for the visitors.

Ashley Vickers, Ross Haywood and Chris Hilton kept Frickley on terms, but Nick Ball then missed.

Report by Peter Jordan

Official Frickley Athletic Website

www.frickleyafc.co.uk