Wibsey FC vs Campion AFC Dev

One Nil To The Campion

Only two games into the new season and already Campion AFC were embarking on the start of their cup run. The league cup possibly provided the best opportunity of silverware this term as sides alongside them in Division One were pitted against each other to find out who can be the best on the day.

Ironically their first opponents were to be Wibsey FC, a side who only two weeks before they had earned their first points against in a 1-1 draw at the AA Van Hire Stadium.

The Wibsey side had changed somewhat, with the notable omissions of goalscorer on the day Jamie Brennan and former Campion man Mickey Burke. But it did include Vaughan Clarke-Williamson, a player who had been included in the Under 21’s win over Bolton Woods the previous Wednesday. There was also a young player who now plied his trade at Under 21 level for Wyke and was ‘the one who got away’ for Development Squad Assistant and Under 21 Manager Dave Turner.

The Campion side also looked a little different from the win the previous week with Louis Etienne and Jaden Powell on holiday. Only made worse by a mix-up in directions to the ground meaning that some key players arrived late and caused a late change to the team shape.

Kristan Gordon returned at right back for his first start of the season and there was a welcome introduction for Tom Bentham who had put his bat and ball down and focused on the football season.

The side lined up in a 4-5-1 formation again, looking to maintain a tight shape once again but with more license to attack.

From the off it looked as if the extra man in midfield was going to cause Wibsey problems as Campion had the lion share of play. But an experienced home side had their own forays into the Campion half, most of which were comfortably snuffed by the centre back pairing of Carl Trenerry and Lincoln Donaldson.

Perhaps the best chance initially came from Josh Ludford who forced his way past the defence and slightly to the right of goal where from just outside the area he let rip a shot which flew towards the top corner of the goal. Unfortunately an agile keeper in the Wibsey goal managed to tip the ball over the bar.

It was down the right hand side where Campion were getting the most joy as three of the new young players combined with Kristan Gordon, Tom Bentham and Emmanuel Omojola having some wonderful passing moves. Indeed crosses were whipped across the box on more than one occasion without causing a significant threat on the Wibsey goal.

However it was good work down the right which led to a corner being won which brought Campion skipper Carl Trenerry forward. Although the initial corner was headed away, Kristan Gordon won the ball back and Tom Bentham managed to find a free Carl Trenerry who hit a powerful volley past the helpless Wibsey keeper.

As often happens, after the goal the home side began getting more joy and put pressure on the Campion defence. But it stood firm in the face of the pressure and ensured the side went in with a marginal lead at half time. Not least with the help of Paul Davidson whose goal line clearance ensured an unmarked header didn’t hit the back of the net.

In the second half it was again Wibsey who came out the stronger, but failed to capitalise on it. But once settled the Campion side again got into their stride and looked the better team. Jordan Haygard, who had replaced Usman Hussain on the left hand side was giving significant problems to the Wibsey right back, not only making him look stupid but doing it with ease. Jordan broke free on numerous occasions but his balls across the box were frequently cut out by a well placed defender.

Chris Hellewell replaced Josh Ludford and within five minutes his smart flick round the defender led to a sharply hit shot being turned around the post with another good save from the goalkeeper. It was to be a number of attempts thwarted by the goalkeeper, along with a couple of mishit shots and a little bit of bad luck. Jordan Haygard’s run beyond the defence ended with a shot that rocketed off the post, and with the frame still shaking Ben Cheetham failed to convert the rebound. And breaks from Chris Hellewell and Tom Bentham both ended without a cutting edge.

Chances going begging made for an increasingly tense finish as Wibsey pushed men forward. But the defence stood strong and continued in their form of the opening few weeks and on this occasion were rightly rewarded with a clean sheet.

The scoreline should have been significantly more definitive, but most importantly it was a win and secured passage through to the next round.