Report

Coming into this latest Pre-Season friendly, both sides fielded sides missing a number of players.Fryston were able to welcome-back goalkeeper, Mark Edwards, but they were still without a fair-few squad members and although the line-up was still a strong-looking one, they could only name two substitutes, talented youngster, Jimmy Liddan, and veteran, Stuey Leach.
Queens Head began the game the stronger of the two local rivals and with the clock barely-touching six minutes, they had taken a shock lead.After a needless foul was conceded, around 20-yards out, Queens Captain, Steve Embling, stepped-up to absolutely smash the free-kick towards goal.Hit with so much power, the free-kick left `keeper Edwards unable to do anything but watch as the ball thundered,unluckily, onto the bar.The rebound off the crossbar caught Fryston flat-footed and Queens' Striker, Tom Nodder, reacted quickest to nod home the opening goal.After their slow-start, Fryston now began to look for an equaliser.Good-work on the left by Adam Clough set-up a chance for Ad Blackwell, but the effort was a little rushed and the attempt was sent over the bar.Then another chance fell for Blackwell after a neat approach, but once again, the chance was blazed-over.If the match wasn't quite going to plan for the home side, events were about to take a turn for the worst for them.First, Clough was forced to come-off with a twisted knee injury, he was replaced by Liddan, then Blackwell took a blow on the ankle and he had to be withdrawn.After a slight re-shuffle, Leach came on to partner Paul Taylor in central midfield, but Fryston had now used their subs within 20 minutes.
Liddan began to make his mark on the game almost immediately.Showing good footwork, the 16-year old made himself some space after collecting the ball on the left and sent over a deep cross to the far-side of the area.In-form frontman, Liam Cooper, continued the move when he pounced onto the ball, turned his man, raced towards goal and tucked the ball in, to level the scores.Now Fryston had found their confidence and after a few attacks came-up short, their next goal came just before the h/t whistle.Leach, who had been busy since coming-on, called for, and received, a pass from Taylor who, once again, had caught-the-eye during the first half.Leach then fed left-back, Al Berry, bursting-forward.From around 25-yards out, Berry unleashed a magnificent drive that flew into the bottom corner, to the delight of the home crowd.Half-time came straight after the re-start, with Fryston now well on top and good value for the lead.
During the break, Queens Head re-grouped and started the second-half strongly, but Fryston responded and the visitors were forced back.The Colliers' James Lister was impressing just behind the striker and his workrate ensured that Fryston stayed on the front-foot throughout the half.An early breakthrough for Fryston saw them open their second-half account.A long throw by strong centre-back, Niall Gordon, was flicked-on by Taylor and Cooper slid-in to poke home the ball on the goal-line.Now with a bit of breathing-space, Fryston looked to increase their lead, but they still had to wary of any Queens' breaks.In one, Edwards had to be sharp to get-down at his near post to keep-out a low shot, that he pushed away for a corner.But the Fryston defence, lead by their commanding Skipper, Andy Blackwell, and backed-up by Gordon, the superb Scott Cole at right-back and Berry, were never really troubled.
As the half progressed, Leach moved to left-back, allowing the energetic Berry to push more forward, up the left-hand side.This move nearly paid dividends when a typical Berry foray, saw him advance to the edge of the 18-yard box before smashing a shot that unfortunately cannoned off the crossbar.But there wasn't long to wait before the fourth Fryston goal came and it was that man Lister that provided it.Winning the ball on the edge of the box, the skilful forward powered the ball into the net past stand-in goalkeeper, Matty Midgley.
There was still time for a Queens attack to end with a good strike rattling the bar before the match came to an end.This was another good work-out for Fryston ahead of the start-of-the-season.Once again, there were another number of positives to take out of the match, but Manager's Trev Adamson and Lee Carter will be concerned with the number of injuries that the squad has started to pick-up.Here's hoping that they are not too serious.On the playing front, the defence is looking solid and the team always has the ability to score goals but there are always improvements to be made and so the team will be continue to work on these every Tuesday and Thursday @ 6 pm, Fryston Welfare.
Amongst a number of stand-out performances in this win, the Jill & Andy's Store MOM went to Paul Taylor.The midfielder's vision and passing ability was behind most of Fryston's best work, but he was pushed all the way by the ever-reliable James Lister.