CAMPION'S FOR A DAY (AND MAYBE BEYOND)

18th January 2020 - Campion AFC 4 v 2 Hall Road Rangers - The day was planned, the outcome was altered, we cracked on and had a good do nonetheless.  Up at the crack, a 1 hour 15 minute drive and a good yomp around Bingley St Ives was had where we saw many fine natural species, had tea and toast and made the most of a grand sunny morn.  After finding that our original match had fallen victim to a churned up pitch we made our way to Campion AFC and arrived 2 hours before kick-off.  Luckily, a playing field nearby held a good flock of Gulls which I counted up and saw 3 species - these being Black Headed, Common and Herring.  Due to the litter at the side of the road I kept an eye out for an Addle Headed Shithawk (Selfishus twattus) - a foul creature that needs driving to extinction methinks, preferably via a shotgun up the arse.  Alas I didn't spot any, they are a nocturnal beast, the day time is spent wallowing in their nest of self-defeat and sitting on many cracked eggs of hopelessness - best place for em' I say!

After moving the car to just outside the ground, enjoying dinner and completing the Daily Express Crossword we entered the footballing area and killed a bit of time roaming the periphery and gasbagging with a few local folk.  Tea and chips were purchased, on-looking spots chosen, there was an icy bite in the air, akin to the chomp of a loved up zombie nibbling areas best left unmentioned - cripes, let's get this game on.  Eventually the two sides took to the pitch, there were about 40 folk in attendance, I think everyone deserved a good game and thankfully that is exactly what we got.

The Rangers wasted no time in building up a good lather with some sound communication and effective movement.  Corners soon followed, 2 for the guests, one for the hosts, the only shot to come on goal was via the resident No 7 (Aiden Day) who finalised the latter angled hoof with a low driller that turned out not to be a killer.  Campion began to get their fair share of the action with a throw in leading to some head-tennis and a overhead kick that needed a neat tip over.  The corner came and was dealt with, the home team kept up the pressure, another ball entered the box, was knocked back and duly hung in the air whereupon No 9 (Aiden Kirby) lashed on the volley and bulged the net with untold certainty.  It was a fine strike to end a pressing period of action - game on folks!

For the next segment of the game Campion dictated with the tempo leaving the opposition slightly unsettled.  In and out of the visiting box the ball went, a free-kick was won for the hosts after a dubious 'raised foot' decision was made.  No 10 (Leon Hurles-Brook) took responsibility, the strike was similar to the cock of an aroused sausage dog, low and firm, and ended up squeezing inside the bottom corner to double Campion's lead - a picture perfect strike for sure.

The action continued and remained all-absorbing.  Campion swept forth, won a corner which was hoofed high and led to a dazzling counterattack that The Rangers just couldn't turn into a decisive moment.  The guests were undeterred, maintained a bout of high intensity with the in-box animation, at times, utterly manic.  A handball shout came, much scrambling and then the globe went loose whereupon No 11 (Callum Stone) fired through a crowd of arms, legs and other bodily wotsits and somehow found the back of the net - 2 - 1 - now this was interesting to say the least!

Still the pace and quality of the game continued. Stone had another shot for the visiting pack but this time straight at the keeper and then, after a great deal of perspired pressing, No 11 (Mohammed Quasim) for Campion was released and looked to be in with a  great chance to pull the trigger and add a fourth goal to a fascinating game.  The striker was shot-shy, sent in a cross that was dutifully cleared but quickly followed up with a dig from Hurles-Brook that was firmly blocked by a flying defender.  A follow-up whack was somehow deflected just over the horizontal and nothing came from the corner, it was just as well, I am sure some of the worked up on-lookers needed a breather.

Into the closing stages of the half we went, suddenly Stone for Hall Road was released.  The player touched on for No 10 (Charlie Birley) to blaze at goal.   From the midst of the madness a handball claim rent the air, the referee pointed to the spot and No 4 (Lewis Andrews) cracked his gratis gift towards the bottom corner.  The home No 1 (Declan Lambton) lunged, reached out with great effort and pushed the ball away  - what a quite excellent save!  The game now flashed by, an overspill of outstanding gumption was exhibited, this had been a good do thus far, more of the same for half two please.

For the break we had a brew and got the blood moving in the shanks.  I indulged in a few squats and nearly exposed a turtles-head - I knew I should have been doing more pelvic floor exercises of late.  After a squeeze of the sphincter and a final slurp of the thermally gratifying liquid the teams came back out, now how would this game end?

As in the opening 45 minutes Hall Road Rangers started brightest but Campion had the first punt at goal.  The chance came after a crunching midfield tackle saw the ball move forth, Quasim collected and swept on before shooting into the side-netting, it should have at least been on target .  The guests had a chance to breathe again but they were now getting a trifle hot under the collar with blue verbals and tasty tackles more than a little prevalent.  They did however win a free-kick that resulted in some wild in-box scrambling, the hosts just did enough to save their bacon - oink, oink.

Due to the rising emotions the referee needed to step in and have a word.  He did what he had to and kept the game from bubbling over, we continued in a fair and highly competitive manner.  Campion had a corner next, it went to the back post with No 5 (Graham Hall) nutting behind and then the same team came once more with a ball finding Kirby who neatly chested down in prepation for another crack at goal.  A foul was committed on the edge of the box, the victim of the tumble took the strike and saw his howitzer get deflected over.  Another angled kick was had, this time it was wasted and from here we went into a touch and go period with a brace of yellow cards issued and the game on a very precarious precipice.

The last 20 minutes arrived, Quasim for Campion darted and had a claim for a penalty - it was not even convincing.  A few moments later and the hosts entered the perilous zone again, a player was tugged (ooh the sexy buggers) the referee ignored it, No 2 (Jason Carney) was tumbled in possession, this time the man in black was in no doubt - penalty given and duly buried by Kirby, 3 - 1 it was and the exact score that my good lady had predicted prior to kick-off.

From here untidy tackles and mistimed collisions came, mud flew, brows furrowed and strained desire was exposed.  Hall Road Rangers had a fine bout of possession and passed the ball in a highly convincing method.  Campion remained stubborn and disciplined before Kirby was released again only to be thwarted by an outstanding tackle by the visiting No 6 (Alex Knaggs) - a solid moment for the footballing afficionado.  The trailing tribe pushed next, a cross came, a rebound and a low shot by No 15 (Kallum Findley) - cor blimey guv'nor - 3 - 2 it was - could we be in for a comeback after all that had transpired thus far?

The resurrected team now played with hectic hunger in the hope of snatching a point from a game that looked lost.  The squad with the upperhand looked to kick the stuffing out of the contest and hold up the ball whenever they got the chance.  Stone for the guests had a dash late-on, went down in the box a little too easily and had his penalty shout waved away.  Campion responded with a long ball that was nodded on to the feet of the substitute who was fouled just inside the box.  This time a spot-kick was granted, Kirby fired home and bagged his hat-trick and three points for his team.  In the dying embers No 2 (Tommy Ward) for Hall Road had a shot over and then we were done.  What a ruddy good game this had been, 100% commitment, 2 teams playing good football and not afraid to 'get stuck in'.  From the drama and the delight Campions No 9 (Aiden Kirby) must get the Man of the Match award due to being a perpetual menace, consistently working back, playing some neat touch and turn football and of course, bagging three-goals.  A ruddy good stint chap, keep the focus and many more goals will follow.  We duly pootled off home perished but pleased, this had been a good un' and that is for sure.

FINAL THOUGHT - So another trip into the North East Counties Football League and another game thoroughly enjoyed.  I am always bewildered why these games don't get more attention and more assistance from authorities higher up - they are missing something special and seeing some real lynch-pins in the community - ooh the silly bastards.  Today I saw Hall Road Rangers travel a goodly distance, bring a few followers and play with passion on a cold January day only to come up short and travel home pointless - over the coming weeks they will be doing it all again but I reckon, if they continue playing like they do, will win more than they lose.  At times they looked a complete unit, now and again just got dragged the wrong way and gave their opponents a chance to cause consternation - all the team needs to do is maintain discipline and stick to the smooth on the deck passing, I hope we can catch them again at some point, they certainly play with a  style that makes for a good game.   Campion are riding high, the reason behind this is that they play at a consistent high rate of knots, take their chances when they fall and use the full playing surface and seem to have many back-up plans.  They have a squad of hard-working players who give their all and play with a certain awareness.  They may just well push on now for the ultimate promotional prize, I reckon it would be rude not to return, in the meantime, keep up the momentum and here's to a fine future for ya.