Recap

Campion 3 Frickley 2

Despite a much improved second half display, The Blues were left to rue a difficult opening spell as Campion edged a 5 goal contest 3-2.

The standout event of a cagey opening quarter of an hour came when Campion picked up a yellow card inside the 1st minute for a very heavy challenge on Favour.

However, some less than circumspect defending allowed the hosts to score twice in the space of about 70 seconds. In the 15th minute, a Campion forward managed to evade a challenge before finding the space to fire home from around 10 yards.

Things got worse for Los Azules a minute later when an ill advised back pass followed by keeper hesitation in clearing the ball allowed Campion to nip in and double their advantage.

The Blues needed to steady affairs and Radz provided an important intervention in the 28th minute, producing an excellent recovery tackle to prevent another Campion attack from bearing fruit.

The hosts continued to threaten from set pieces. A 29th minute corner was headed over before another Campion header was glanced wide two minutes later. In the 33rd minute, a free kick appeared to have been turned in at the far post, but the liner’s flag was raised for offside.

The Boys in Blue found an opportunity of their own, Favour shooting wide in the 35th minute. At the other end, Edjangue was called upon 4 minutes later to get down and safely gather a low effort.

The Azzurri almost pulled one back before the interval. Flan’s low drive in the 44th minute was heading towards its target, only for the Campion keeper to push it away. HT 2-0.

The Blues were out early for the second period, presumably with a flea in their collective ears. The improvement was obvious.

Campion might have had the ball in the net again, soon after the restart, from an offside position, duly flagged, but it was The Azzurri who struck the first blow of the second half.

In the 51st minute, Elliott Andrew produced a moment of real quality. Controlling the ball well, he cut inside on the edge of the penalty area before calmly stroking his finish into the bottom corner to reduce the deficit.

The momentum was beginning to shift towards Les Bleus, but Campion restored their 2 goal cushion in the 59th minute. A cross was met by a downward header and the finish was applied from close range.

Another Campion yellow card was awarded a minute later after Jenko was cleaned out as the hosts attempted to disrupt Blue progress.

Price shot just over the crossbar on the hour, while Campion sent a shot wide 2 minutes later.

Then came another opening for Andrew in the 65th minute, Willo put the Campion custodian under pressure and the keeper’s attempted clearance was scuffed straight to Andrew. He spotted the opening immediately and deftly lifted the ball back over the stranded keeper and into the net.

At 3-2, the game was suddenly very much alive.

The Blues were pushing for an equaliser and were ‘unfortunate’ not to get a free kick in the 68th minute when Flan was barged to the floor, with play allowed to continue. Campion broke forward from the incident but put it wide.

Willo, on as sub, then produced one of the best attacking runs of the evening in the 74th minute, carrying the ball forward before delivering for Flan, whose effort bounced wide.

Les Bleus made a double substitution as Roberts and Cleggy came on for Flan and Price as the search for an equaliser continued.

The Blues were now asking serious questions of the Campion defence. In the 83rd minute, Gadge picked out Favour, who flicked the ball up before attempting a volley, but the keeper was equal to it.

Campion were given a major let off in the closing stages as Willo skipped into the area and was brought down but a goal kick was inexplicably awarded. If Willo had touched the ball then penalty, if not, then corner.

Edjangue kept Frickley in the contest at the other end. In the 88th minute, the hosts appeared to be miles offside, but play was allowed to continue. Edjangue responded with a superb reflex save to deny them.

The Frickley stopper produced another strong stop in the third minute of added time, keeping the deficit to one and giving his teammates one final opportunity to rescue something from the game.

That opportunity almost arrived in the 94th minute when the home keeper was forced to tip Gadge’s cross over the bar.

With the clock ticking down, Jenko hit another cross into the danger area. Radz met it with a header and directed the ball back across goal, but Roberts couldn’t quite find the finish, heading the final chance of the game inches wide. FT 3-2.

The Blues were the better side for much of the second half and, having fought their way back into the game, will feel deserving of more than was ultimately taken home. The way they responded following the interval certainly ensured that the encounter went down to the wire.

WEBMASTER MOTM – the manner in which we concede goals remains the biggest issue but there were still positives to take forward. Radz and Jenko constantly put their bodies on the line. Edjangue pulled off a worldy of a save late on. Favour let nobody down at the back and came alive when he was getting up the park. Spence ran his blood to water. And Willo was electric when he came on. However, for the second game on the spin, the Glitterball goes to Elliott Andrew. He’s starting look the real deal and took his brace with an impressive assurance. Elite level, Ellz!

VOLUNTEERS’ MOTM – Elliott Andrew was chosen by general consensus of the Blues volunteers at the game. Well done, Elliott!

131 through the gate, with a vocal brigade from The Iron Dominion of SESKU. We thank you for sticking with us and giving us your dogged travelling support!

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

The Blues are next in action on Saturday 12th September when we travel to Merseyside to take on FC St Helens in the FA Vase 2nd Round Qualifying, 3pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

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#FFTD