Frickley Athletic v Campion FC

Recap

Frickley 0 Campion 3

The Azzurri certainly gave last season’s NCEL Division One champions a game. Campion weren’t 3 goals better than us, but with a free-scoring attack and a miserly defence, they punished our mistakes rather better than we punished theirs.

Suspensions and injuries (already!) meant that the gaffer had to re jig his plans from the off.

The game wasn’t 5 minutes old when the Campion keeper flapped a dangerously flighted ball away and across goal. But it was Campion who drew first blood when a high cross into the box cleared Frickley heads, and the Campion number 9 headed home from point blank range in the 8th minute.

Minutes later, a through ball got caught under the Campion striker’s feet and the chance was gone.

From that point on, the first half was largely a midfield battle. Callum Bradbury had to make a decent stop or two but The Blues were seeing the best of the chances. Keanen Mannings put a free header across the face of goal and The Elk was involved in at least 3 moves that lead to crosses that evaded everyone.

Rieves Boocock ended the half by hitting a wormburner straight at the keeper. HT 0-1.

The first half an hour of the second period were more of the same but brighter by The Boys in Blue. Boocock, The Colonel and Lloydy all had shots comfortably fielded by the keeper, and Varls had a header at goal but couldn’t get any power in it.

Campion had their moments, an amazing last ditch tackle by Jake Hemingway prevented a goalscoring opportunity and Bradbury blocked an attempt with his body.

Campion had the ball in the net on 66 minutes. The liner flagged for an obvious offside but the ref awarded a goal. The officials had a conversation and made the right decision eventually to keep it at 0-1.

Rich Collier forced the best save of the game when his rasping volley made the Campion keeper work hard to push the ball over the bar.

But it was a false dawn, and with 13 minutes to go, the Campion sub hooked a long throw over his head into the net.

And 4 minutes later, a corner went through the keeper’s hands and defenders’ legs to the same Campion sub who scored his second and his team’s third from a couple of yards out.

In the final stages of the game, it was Campion who looked more likely to add to the score with a handful of half chances as Frickley heads dropped and legs tired. FT 0-3.

Not exactly the start to the season that we were hoping for but we’ve lost more than half of our opening day fixtures in this century alone, so we’ve been here before. And the upshot is – not for the first time – that we dust ourselves off, chin up, chest out and go again, playing for the shirt! No one will remember this result if we turn it around on Tuesday….

WEBMASTER MOTM – we were well in contention for much of the game, but fell away in the last 15 minutes. Standout performances included Zav Elkin and Jake Hemingway who both got forward well, and Josh Haigh and Lloyd Smith who were both busy as usual. Special mention for Callum Bradbury, a 17 year old holding his own in senior football, he’s going to be some keeper. However, I’m giving the first competitive Glitterball of the season to Richard Collier. He was a leader and fought for everything. We salute you, Colonel!

TWITTER MOTM – in a close run thing, Zav Elkin takes it from Jake Hemingway, Richard Collier and Lloyd Smith. Thanks to all who voted.

New for 2022/23, the match/match ball sponsors or a volunteer will name their man of the match at the end of every game. The first recipient, named motm by our kind match ball sponsor Deryn Stansfield (in memory of Malc Stansfield), is Josh Haigh.

201 through the gate. Thank you for your super support!

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

The Blues are next in action at Tadcaster Albion on Tuesday evening, 1st August, 7.45pm kickoff. Hope to see you all there….

#forzafrickley