Campion FC v Frickley Athletic

Recap

Campion 6 Frickley 2

After putting up a great fight for around an hour at league leaders Campion, this changed Blues side lost focus, getting a heavy beating for their troubles.

With Big Al Keita suspended and Richard Collier otherwise unavailable, Luke Walker and Brandon Murillo came back into the starting XI.

The opening stages were largely a midfield battle and pretty even Stevens.

Bradders made a safe stop from a long shot and at the other end, The Elk served notice with a volley that went narrowly wide.

On 19 minutes, Lloydy cut inside and struck his shot well but the Campion custodian made an amazing reflex save.

In the 26th minute The Elk scored the goal of the season so far with a sumptuous, looping volley from 35 yards. What a strike! As events unfolded, you could be forgiven for agreeing with Scotland’s John Wark, after David Narey scored a screamer against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup before Brazil demolished them 4-1, “Our goal just got them annoyed”.

Anyway, Bradders hung onto another volley on the half hour. Volleys were the order of the day on a heavy pitch that made anything on the deck bobble all over.

There was an ‘interesting’ piece of officiating when Lloydy was thrown to the ground on the near edge of the box in a move that even Giant Haystacks would’ve apologised for but the officials gave nothing, one claiming it was on his blindside.

Campion were level 7 minutes before half time, getting in behind the fullback to cross from the left for the forward to tap in. HT 1-1.

Buoyed by their equaliser, Campion were straight at it after the break, glancing a header wide and having an overhead shot go wide as well.

Just before the hour mark, we witnessed 3 goals in 3 minutes. In a carbon copy of their first, Campion crossed in from the left and the division’s top scorer Marcus Day knocked it in to put them ahead.

86 seconds later and Marcus Day had his second and doubled his side’s lead with a diagonal shot from the right, into the bottom corner.

99 seconds on from that hammer blow and Sky Walker sliced through the Campion defence and smashed home from the edge of the box.Another comeback, maybe?

Sadly not. The next goal took a whole 4 more minutes to come but unfortunately it was for the hosts as they intercepted a back pass to score.

The two teams traded chances, a Morgan James volley was well held and Bradders tipped a Campion header onto the bar.

The game was ended as a contest in the 76th minute when Campion’s Marcus Day intercepted another under hit back pass, rounded Bradders and netted his third of the afternoon.

With less than 10 minutes to play, Campion rubbed salt into the wounds, getting into the box, squaring the ball and sticking it away for number 6.

Bradders kept the score down with a pair of decent late saves.

In time added on, Rieves ghosted through the back four but after a jinking run the keeper collected the ball off of his toes. FT 6-2.

Well, Campion’s tactics were simple and they were clinical in front of goal. That’s why they’re top of the league, I guess. And we missed the steadying influences of Big Al and The Colonel.

As the teams came off at full time, Callum Proctor, an unused sub, turned to the supporters and said “We’ll turn it around!” Speaks volumes about this young team. We are Frickley, we go again next time out! And to misquote northern soul legend Frank Wilson “Do we love you? Indeed we do”.

WEBMASTER MOTM – we certainly weren’t 4 goals worse than Campion and with better decision making, we’d have given them more of a test – like we did in the first half. Standouts included Josh Haigh, a willing runner, Luke Walker, a fighter, The Elk, great going forward, and Zak Kersey had his best game so far in this second spell at the club. However, the Glitterball goes to Golden Gloves Callum Bradbury. It’d have been double figures without him. Bob on, Bradders!

TWITTER MOTM – Everyone loves a goal scorer, and they were top quality goals, so Zav Elkin takes it from Luke Walker, Callum Bradbury and Josh Haigh. Thanks to all who voted.

SPONSORS/VOLUNTEERS MOTM – Callum Bradbury was chosen by Gareth Dando. Well done, Bradders!

117 through the gate, with the majority from SESKU. Thank you for travelling all that way to support the lads!

To hear the thoughts of the manager, Pat McGuire, click here.

The Blues are next in action on Tuesday 28th November when we travel to Nostell MW for our Sheffield Senior Cup tie, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley

STAT ATTACK:

• Luke Walker’s goal was our 50th goal in all competitions in 2023/24.
• 8 goals in the game was the most total goals scored in a Frickley game since last Tuesday 😉