North West Counties League First Division North
Campion 2-5 Steeton
Relentless Steeton recovered from conceding early to inflict a massacre on local rivals Campion and complete a memorable double.
Kayle Price grabs the headlines after his hat-trick but this was an outstanding performance where every single Steeton player were hitting nine or tens.
Mo Farhan Subhani bossed the midfield, goal-scorer Luke Baldwin was too hot for Campion to handle to name just two.
You can go right through Roy Mason’s side and highlight why each player was crucial to the victory.
Steeton were so dominant and created that many chances; a cricket score was only prevented by Campion goalkeeper Brad Emmerson.
There was an element of deja vu for woeful Campion who hit rock bottom back in August when the sides met in August at Marley.
That defeat instigated a turnaround – players departed including Tom Robinson who was running around like an over-excited kid at Christmas in the midfield for Steeton – and the results soon came to propel them up the table.
However, the new low point of their campaign leaves their top five dream effectively over, going into the final throes of the season.
Yet after four minutes, many assumed a second consecutive victory was on the cards for Campion.
Steeton were still asleep as Mark Ferguson’s long throw from the left-side was batted down by new goalkeeper Oliver Brackenbury to the unmarked Danny Keane who fired Campion ahead.
Campion caused the odd moment of danger after the goal but the first half belonged to Steeton.
With target man Andy Briggs holding up play and Price and Baldwin using their pace to cause destruction, Campion failed to control their visitors.
Baldwin had a goal disallowed for offside while Briggs watched an effort get tipped around the post by Emmerson as the pressure grew.
Subhani’s pitch-perfect out-swinging cross from deep was met by the brilliant leap from Price who equalised for Steeton who never looked back.
Robinson then missed a golden chance before making up for it with an involvement in the second goal.
The midfielder was denied twice by Emmerson from close range before Briggs rode to his rescue to score from the second rebound.
Steeton stretched their lead seven minutes into the second half.
Baldwin’s reputation for scoring beauties from free kick is growing and he curled one into the bottom corner from 30 yards.
Campion briefly gave themselves hope as Ferguson found the net on the hour.
But Steeton quickly avoided their hosts mounting a comeback as Price scored again.
Baldwin’s brilliantly sighted cross-field sent Price through and the youngster made no mistake.
From there on Campion were sitting ducks as Steeton became rampant and they continually breached their back-line.
Emmerson denied Steeton certain goals on two separate occasions – one from Price and another Briggs who were both in the six-yard-box at the time.
A fifth goal was more than deserved and when substitute Jarad Parchment was clipped, Price completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to conclude an unforgettable derby day victory.
What They Said
Campion joint manager Lee Ashforth
“Without Brad in goal. god knows what score it could have been,
“We have been beat comfortably.
“We had no answer for their pace upfront, their desire in midfield and we looked like a team devoid of confidence which is strange because we have only lost two in 14.
“We did well at South Liverpool last week and dominated that game.
“It was a local derby today and only one team turned up.
“I’m not taking anything away from Steeton.
“Yeah we were terrible but Steeton were brilliant and wanted it more than us.”
Steeton manager Roy Mason
“It was very satisfying.
“It was well-documented that we had a goalkeeping crisis at the start of the week.
“We probably tried to get every goalkeeper in the area but Oliver (Brackenbury) has come in and done well.
“We changed the system and 4-3-3 and it was designed because I felt it suited the strengths of the players we had but also designed to get at them and take the game to Campion.
“I think we did do because although we scored five, we created a lot more chances and Brad Emmerson has been one of their best players – he’s had a fantastic game.
“Take the first minute out, we have been the dominant side for the rest of the game.
“We said at half-time the only criticism we had was that we only 2-1 up as we felt we should have been further ahead.
“The thing I was really pleased with was the character we have shown.
“We dug in really deep, battled, scrapped and played good football when we have been allowed to.”
The Teams
Campion: Emmerson, Ta Seti, Carney, Eastwood (captain), Rhodes, Graham, Ferguson, Maltby (Conteh), Sykes (Hurles-Brook 57), Boshell (Ali 57), Keane. Subs unused: Ahmed, Khan.
Steeton: Brackenbury, Morgan, Lynn, Kendall, White (captain), Robinson, Farhan Subhani, McKiernon, Briggs (Snowden 88), Price, Baldwin (Parchment 72). Subs unused: Darkins, Cross.
Who Was In Charge
Matthew Clarke (8/10)
How Many Were There
71
Man of the Match
Mo Farhan Subhani (Steeton)
