Evo Stik Premier Division
Barwell 1-0 Frickley Athletic
Action from Frickley’s 1-0 defeat to Barwell
A 66th minute penalty from Alex Tomkinson was enough to see Frickley go down to a narrow defeat at sixth-placed Barwell.
Although Jameel Ible was available again after suspension manager Karl Rose kept faith with the same side that defeated Blyth Spartans on Tuesday with Ible starting on the bench.
The Blues kicked down the notable slope in a first half that was largely devoid of excitement at either end of the pitch although the Blues had a let off in the fifth minute when Sebastian Malkowski came out to head clear but his weak header fell straight to Luke Barlone 25 yards out only for him to shoot tamely at the back pedalling Malkowski.
A great first time through ball from Sam Akeroyd sent Brad Grayson sprinting clear into the box but Barwell ‘keeper Liam Castle was off his line quickly to collect at Grayson’s feet with both players requiring treatment.
Brady Hickey shot well wide for Barwell on 25 minutes and on 43 minutes Ant Carney blasted over from close range as the referee failed to spot a foul on Malkowski at a corner.
Barwell started the second half strongly, with Malkowski saving from Joe Ballinger on 53 minutes and four minutes later Barlone shot wide following a good run from substitute Sam Hollis.
Tom Davie was brought down 20 yards out on 63 minutes but Steven Jeff’s free-kick just cleared the crossbar. Unfortunately, Jeff was involved at the other end three minutes later when he brought down Hollis as he broke into the box and Tomkinson sent Malkowski the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Rose introduced Ible to the action in place of Jeff, pushing Davie forwards and moving Akeroyd into central midfield and the Blues started the play with more urgency.
Jacob Hazel had a 20 yard snapshot fly just wide of the right hand post on 75 minutes but Barwell looked threatening on the break with Tomkinson curling an 18 yard shot just over the bar and Hollis putting an angled shot just wide.
As the game entered stoppage time Barwell full-back Scott Lower was deceived by a bobble on the pitch allowing the ball to run for Tyler Williams to cut the ball back from the left for Ross Armstrong whose first time shot from just inside the box was charged down inside the six yard box.
Frickley Athletic: Malkowski, Davie, Jeff (Ible 72), Hinsley, Cyrus, Gooda, Akeroyd, Armstrong, Hazel (Wood 87 mins), Grayson, Williams. Subs unused: Ellam, Stratford, Hood.
Referee: Mr. A. Hendley
Attendance: 203
Thanks to Steve Pennock for this report.