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10th November 2007
West Riding FA (Campion FC) 0 - 2 Cumberland FA (Gillford Park
FA)
Just as the previous two, this season has also been one of firsts and
there was no variation this afternoon as The West Riding County Ground at
Fleet Lane, Woodlesford, was the destination for Gillford Park, taking on
West Riding County Amateur Leaguers Campion FC.
This was both sides first entry in the Northern Counties Senior Cup, with
Campion’s West Riding Challenge Cup victory at the same ground in May
meriting their honour, but, run on a knock-out basis, it was inevitable
that one outfit would be disappointed as the other progressed to the
semi-finals.
On FA Cup First Round day a small crowd of around 60 gathered to watch a
match that eased it’s way into life as, although both sides looked eager
to play some decent football, chances were at a premium in the early
stages.
Campion started the brightest and made good use of the wings but failed to
seriously threaten Gavin Armstrong, returning to the Gillford goal, and
were able to earn just one corner which went spare. However, their best
chance of the opening minutes came from a long throw-in with around
twenty-five played, but under pressure from Tom Brocklebank dangerous
Campion striker Chima Mandondo headed clean over.
The home side were undeterred and continued to press forward, twice being
flagged offside around the thirty-minute mark but a few moments later they
finally created the games first shot.
Good work found Mandondo in sufficient space to shoot for goal and after a
comfortable save Armstrong spilled the ball, but before the men in red
could capitalise it was cleared out for a corner by an alert Gilly
defender. From the original flag-kick the West Riding Representatives
earned a further two but were unable to capitalise on the dominance as the
visiting outfit defended well.
The referee was finally called upon to write in his notebook ten minutes
after Campion’s chance as the visitors punished the Yorkshire outfit’s
discrepancies in front of goal. Dan Rayson, who had been suffering a mini
goal drought for the Green and Whites having gone five games without a
mark, stole possession in the Campion half and accelerated down the right
flank before his cross was cleared out for a corner. Charlie Skinner
played the flag-kick in to find Tom Brocklebank rising highest, and
Campion goalkeeper Craig Roberts was unable to keep his powerful, accurate
header from the back of the net to open the scoring.
Before the opposition could regain a foothold on the game Gillford applied
that sucker punch, doubling the scores moments later. At this point, I
must admit to an ill-timed recess to the clubhouse, but the stand-in
reporter writes that Robbie Shorts ball set up Skinner to shoot into the
West Riding net, leaving Gillford two ahead at half-time.
When the sides re-emerged from the excellent facilities behind the near
goal there were no changes to either line-up, but in the opening
quarter-of-an-hour they struggled to recapture the pace that had
enthralled the spectators in the latter stages of the first half, as two
organised defences limited the ball to the middle third of the park.
While not a spectacle of attacking football, the game was fiercely
contested and saw its first casualty when the Park’s John Lee Allen picked
up an injury after a tough tackle on the right touchline. Despite limping
on, John’s game was over minutes later as he was removed from play, while
Skinner’s ongoing battle with a Campion defender threatened to spill over
into a card warranting argument, but was kept under wraps by the competent
East Riding based official.
After Andy McClelland crossed from the right with sixty-two minutes
elapsed home custodian Roberts spilled Mark Butler’s headed shot, but
after the loose ball was cleared upfield Chima Mandondo was unable to
convert a good through ball, shooting wide of Armstrong’s right hand post;
then two minutes later Danny Palmer conceded a foul while jumping for Dan
Rayson’s well worked cross ball.
In the seventy-third minute Campion manager Delroy Dacres substituted
Peter Pilgrim in favour of the more attack minded Aaron Oddy, and with the
fresh legs onboard the Bradford-based club won a free-kick two minutes
later. Nothing came of the set-piece, but Campion kept the pressure on and
shortly afterwards McClelland conceded a foul after being caught out
trying to play neat football too close to goal, but the free-kick went
sparing.
In the last few minutes there were chances for both sides as the
semi-final place looked destined to sweeten the long journey back to
Cumberland, and the opposition used their final pair of replacements. With
seven minutes left Carl Trennery wasted an excellent chance, heading a
free-kick straight into the arms of Gavin Armstrong, while shortly later
Skinner was fouled after a good run took him to the edge of the Campion
box.
Butler’s set piece was returned to the midfielder but after good work
between he and captain, Robbie Short, a disputed decision ruled Skinner
offside, while shortly after Campion attacked down the right but a poor
cross-cum-shot was followed by a similar ball from the left that caused no
trouble for Gillford stopper Armstrong.
With seconds of regular time remaining Campion were turned away with ease
as they attempted to convert a corner. Gillford, too, looked increasingly
like scoring as a well sighted ball from defence found the talented Dan
Rayson running against Campion’s back line and after good work between him
and Brocklebank only a last ditch clearance kept Gilly from putting the
game beyond doubt.
However, with Campion unable to threaten during injury time it was a
comfortable victory that sees Gillford, and Cumberland, safely through to
the Semi-Finals against either Northumberland or Westmorland. |