Whilst researching Tuesday nights opponents I felt a sudden wave of déjà vu – I’ve read this Wikipedia page before. Called off in February, it’s time to try this one again – Golcar United welcome Frickley Athletic to the Skye Direct Stadium… again.

As a successful season on all fronts draws ever so near to a stop, Silsden are champions but a spot in the play-offs is still looking more than likely for the Weavers – but it is not cast in stone just yet. Three games remain and Tuesday’s rescheduled showdown against Frickley is a chance for Golcar to all but seal their fate.

Saturday's non-League Day clash against fellow play-off contenders Hallam was a bitterly disappointing one for Golcar, with the away side running out as 2-0 victors. However, the spirit of non-League Day saw a huge crowd of 744 people flock to HD7 to take in the sights of Golcar – and the football, obviously.

If anyone reading this isn’t clued up about Frickley Athletic, you should have read the original preview! But here’s some (pre-written) insight…

When the Weavers visited them in October, Frickley managed to cut their three-goal lead to only one before Alfie Wilkinson scored to kill the game off late on—capping off a pearler of a 4-2 victory.

Though a village in Doncaster, Frickley play their football just up the road and over the border into West Yorkshire—in South Elmsall. Founded in 1910, the Blues are relative newbies in the NCEL, arriving in the league in 2022.

Arguably the most successful side in the division historically, Frickley joined the APL (now the National League) in 1980 and embarked on a golden era. Reaching the FA Cup proper in four successive seasons, including a run to the third round where they fell to local rivals Rotherham United in 1985.

Somewhat of a giant-killer, Frickley had also made the FA Cup proper four times prior—and they repeated that feat most recently in 2000 when they lost to Northampton at Sixfields.

The Blues fell out of the APL in 1987 and went on to spend thirty-five years back in the Northern Premier League before the former FA Trophy quarter-finalists dropped into the NCEL for the first time ever in 2022.

Get yourselves down to the Skye Direct Stadium for what will be the final home fixture of the regular campaign. Up the Village!

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Previous Meetings:

09/10/24 – Frickley Athletic 2-4 Golcar United (K. Hartley, C. Petch x2, A. Wilkinson) – NCEL PD – Att. 211

20/02/24 – Golcar United 5-0 Frickley Athletic (C. Petch x2, A. Wilkinson x2, G. Doyle) – NCEL PD – Att. 268

02/09/23 – Frickley Athletic 4-1 Golcar United (O. Russon) – NCEL PD – Att. 177

04/03/23 – Frickley Athletic 2-3 Golcar United (A. Hallam, K. Price, D, Naidole) – NCEL PD – Att. 229

15/10/22 – Golcar United 1-2 Frickley Athletic (B. Cox) – NCEL PD – Att. 348

Current League Position:

Golcar United – 3rd
Frickley Athletic – 18th

Goals For:

Golcar United – 80
Frickley Athletic - 51

Goals Against:

Golcar United – 43
Frickley Athletic - 76

Top Scorer: *

Golcar United – George Doyle (24)
Frickley Athletic – Jack Varley (8)
*In the NCEL Premier Division (2024/25)

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Where are we going? Skye Direct Stadium
Longfield Avenue, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4BT

How do we get there? From Huddersfield Centre: A62 Manchester Road to Milnsbridge. Left up Scar Lane, right on Sycamore Avenue, left into Longfield Avenue. From M62 J23: Take New Hey Road to Town Centre, then directions as above. Parking: On site or at local British Legion (Approx. 5 mins walk - 238 Scar Lane, Golcar, Huddersfield HD7 4AU)

What if I travel by public transport? Station: Huddersfield 3 miles. First Halifax Calder Valley & Huddersfield bus 301 from Huddersfield to Huddersfield (Scar Lane, East Street) three times per hour, journey time 16 min. Then, retrace along Scar Lane, left onto North Drive, left onto Longfield Avenue and ground is on right. Return bus is First Halifax Calder Valley & Huddersfield 302. Public transport directions courtesy of Andy Edwards.

How much is it going to cost? Adults: £6, Concessions: £4. Dogs allowed on a lead.

(Photo by Sean Doyle)