Official Frickley Athletic Website

There was no fairy tale ending to the Unibond Premier Division campaign for Frickley who conceded a goal in each half at promotion chasing Witton.

Chris Hilton returned for the Blues while Danny Walsh was absent with a groin injury and the visitors also lost Steve Oleksewycz, with had been doubtful with a shoulder injury, following a hard knock in the 21st minute.

It was obvious that it was going to be a rearguard action by Frickley but they kept the home attack under wraps until the 21st minute when a 16 yard header from Adam Warlow was well held by Jon Hood.

Rob Lloyd hit a 20 yard shot which Hood seemed to have covered but the ball kicked up and went over him and into the net to open the Albion account.

The home side tried to increase the tempo but found the Blues cover more than a match although Lloyd turned quickly in the 44th minute and struck a low shot which Hood smothered.

Straight after the interval, Hood caught an angled 25 yard from Griff Jones under the bar and a minute later collected a half-hit 18 yard drive from Warlow.

Paul Palmer sent Lee Morris clear on a rare Frickley attack but his shot from just inside the penalty area struck goalkeeper John Kennedy's legs and rebounded to safety.

Straight from the clearance, Albion raced upfield and Lloyd improved their lead in the 52nd minute when he lashed an angled shot past Hood and into the net.

A mishit header by Dean Jones allowed Mike Moseley a clear run on goal and he went round Hood but Jones recovered to clear off the line.

After Hood had tipped away the ball at the far post in the 64th minute, he smothered the rebound from Warlow on the line, while Moseley rattled an upright nine minutes later after Warlow had pushed the ball past the visiting keeper.

Witton were determined to increase their lead and Ian Tierney put a looping header over Hood in the 89th minute but the ball struck the bar and was cleared.

Report by Peter Jordan

Official Frickley Athletic Website

www.frickleyafc.co.uk