Frickley Athletic manager Martyn Woolford has been able to look back on the best week of his fledgling managerial career as his team recorded three fantastic victories to charge up the Macron NCE Premier Division.

After their 7-0 thrashing of Thackley, they followed up with another emphatic win, 4-1 at Albion Sports in midweek, and then beat Bottesford Town 2-1 with 10 men on Friday night.

The Blues came through their three matches in six days period with flying colours and the results lifted them up to ninth in the table. They are now within seven points of the play-off places and clearly looking upwards in the second half of the campaign.

There was no repeat of the amazing 13-goal thriller won 7-6 by Frickley when they last met Bottesford in a League Cup tie in October, but they will not mind that as they enjoyed more control this time.

Tom Alngohuro was on target for Frickley Athletic against Bottesford Town.

placeholder image — Tom Alngohuro was on target for Frickley Athletic against Bottesford Town.

In-form Lucas Robinson set them on the way with the opening goal on 33 minutes and Tom Alngohuro doubled the advantage 10 minutes into the second half.

Although Okera Simmonds pulled a goal back from the penalty spot the Blues were able to see the game out for another three points – all the more impressive as they had to play the whole of the second period with 10 men after Charlie Clegg was sent-off on the stroke of half-time.

Two goals in each half had seen Frickley win at Albion Sports in midweek.

Tom Radley and player-manager Woolford netted in the opening half before Robinson – who scored six goals in the week – and Clegg added further efforts after the break.

After their latest game Frickley boss Woolford said: “The last three games we’ve won 7-0 and 4-1, but that’s the one that separates the teams at the bottom of the league to the ones pushing at the top end.

"We had an uphill battle and the lads battled for their lives. I could see a couple were leggy – we’ve had three games in six days and I for one was feeling that, at 40 years old. But the lads put in an absolute shift in for me and they have seen the game out.

"I’m pleased with the way things are coming together at the minute. We’ve had boys missing last minute due to illness and things like that so we keep getting disrupted, but we’re adapting and adapting well and we just need to keep that ball rolling.”

Frickley now turn their attentions to a game at Tadcaster Albion this Saturday and expect a tough challenge against opponents who have been in the top four for most of the season.

"We’ve got a different challenge as we’ve got different lads missing and we’ll have to have a bit of a think about that, but we’re on a high after this week,” added Woolford.

Glasshoughton Welfare were four down by half-time and on the wrong end of a 5-0 result at Ilkley Town in their NCE Division One match.

They will be hoping for better fortune when at home to Maltby Main this Saturday.