Recap

Campion 3 Frickley 0

(FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay)

The Azzurri’s FA Cup campaign came to an abrupt end as 3 first half goals condemned The Blues to a 3-0 defeat at Campion. Despite Campion being reduced to 10 men just before the interval, the damage had already been done, leaving The Azzurri with too much ground to make up in the second half.

Having earned the replay with Saturday’s 1-1 draw, Les Bleus travelled hoping to finish the job and book their place in the next round. Instead, Campion grew into the game and built an unassailable advantage before the break.

Edjangue was called into action as early as the 2nd minute, safely fielding a low, fizzing Campion effort. 2 minutes later, Roberts was pushed from behind by two hands in the penalty area, but the ref waved away the appeals.

Campion continued to threaten, with a 10th minute cross causing problems as Edjangue was clattered while attempting to deal with it. Thankfully, the Frickley custodian was soon back on his feet.

Only a minute later, a Campion attacker cut inside before unleashing a rasping drive which Edjangue caught safely, while another effort flew over in the 15th minute.

Keeper Edjangue then produced an excellent double save in the 20th minute, somehow keeping out 2 efforts before smothering the ball to finally end the danger.

Sweltering conditions necessitated a drinks break but Campion continued to create openings after play resumed. Edjangue spread himself in the 25th minute to put the striker off, with the resulting dink dropping over the crossbar.

Radz produced a superb tackle to halt another Campion attack in the 31st minute, although the resulting corner saw a Campion header drift narrowly wide.

Then came 15 minutes of madness that left Los Azules with a mountain to climb other than the Campion pitch. The hosts made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute. An angled shot found the bottom corner to put Campion 1-0 ahead.

Edjangue was soon called upon again, producing a decent diving save in the 34th minute, but Campion doubled their lead 3 minutes later.

A very soft free kick was awarded to the home side and, having taken the kick from where they wanted, Campion delivered into the area. A looping header beat Edjangue to make it 2-0.

The Blues attempted to respond before the interval. Sheard played the ball to Carmody in the 45th minute and he pulled it back across the area, but there was nobody in blue arriving to meet it.

Instead, Campion struck again in the 1st minute of added time. A long ball was brought under control before being fired past Edjangue, leaving Les Bleus 3 goals down.

There was, however, a dramatic twist before the break. Cable raced clear in the 3rd added minute and was chopped down by the last man, with the ref eventually producing a straight red card. Campion were reduced to 10 men and Frickley almost immediately capitalised as Flanagan’s resulting free kick flew inches wide and into the side netting. HT 3-0.

The second half was a slightly different proposition as The Boys in Blue took advantage of having an extra man and began to put Campion under sustained pressure.

Just 2 minutes after the restart, Flanagan’s shot was kept out by the goalkeeper’s outstretched leg.

A diagonal ball picked out Flanagan in the 53rd minute and the Campion keeper was required again, getting a hand to the effort and tipping it around the post.

Los Azules continued to press. Sheard’s corner in the 58th minute was threateningly hung under the crossbar and had to be punched away by the keeper, before Dacre’s follow up effort was blocked.

Campion still had opportunities despite being down a man and Edjangue was required to make another good stop in the 63rd minute.

A second drinks break came in the 68th minute, after which Woolly and Williams replaced Carmody and Flanagan.

The Azzurri kept searching for an opening. A through ball sent Cable into a very promising position in the 76th minute, but his shot took a deflection and flew over the bar.

Andrew and Wright were then introduced for Price and Roberts, with Wright soon providing another opportunity. His corner in the 77th minute was met by Radz, whose header sailed over.

4 minutes later, Wright slipped Kilner through on the overlap, but his cross evaded everyone in the middle.

Cleggy then replaced Cable as The Blues made their final change.

Andrew did well to bring the ball down for Dacre in the 86th minute, but his resulting shot was scooped up by the Campion stopper.

The hosts had one of their few openings of the second half 2 minutes on, although Edjangue dealt comfortably with the effort.

Les Bleus had one final chance in stoppage time. Wright got onto a ball over the top but could only shoot across the face of goal. FT 3-0.

It was a disappointing exit from the competition for The Blues as Campion’s 3 goal first half proved decisive, despite our much more positive display after break when the hosts were reduced to 10 men. We had chances to make the numerical advantage count, but the deficit proved too great to overcome. Cup football? Who needs it!? 😉

WEBMASTER MOTM – conceding 3 goals in 15 minutes did for us but there were bright spots. Joel Spence constantly looked to get forward and Tom Radley was always in the thick of it. Tyler Sheard plays with a maturity beyond his years and follows Sam Kilner’s admirable lead. Harold Edjangue was mustard between the sticks and W Force off the bench (Luke Williams and Bailey Wright) were equally piquant. However, they don’t pay me the big bucks to sit on the fence and shirk a decision, so the Glitterball goes to Liam Flanagan. When he managed to shake off the Campion shackles, he was pure class. Felicitations, Flan-flinger!

TWITTER MOTM – Harold Edjangue takes it from Joel Spence, Liam Flanagan and Tom Radley. Thanks to all who voted.

SUPPORTERS’ MOTM – Harold Edjangue was chosen by Mark Ainge and Kris Jowett. Well done, Hazza!

115 through the gate, with a very good following from la Comunidad de SESKU. We thank you for travelling all that way after a hard day’s graft to back The Boys in Blue, er, Grey!

To see the photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here.

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Martin Woolford, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 15th August when we get back to NCEL business and travel to Tadcaster Albion, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

#FFTD