Match Report: Parkgate 2-4 Campion

Parkgate lose for the third consecutive game, as league leaders’ Campion score four at Roundwood.

The home side made a decent start to the game with Parkgate defender Matt Crookes having the first opportunity of the game from a corner which was swung in deep to the back post which Crookes could only head over the bar in the opening 3 minutes of the game. The second opportunity was a fantastic chance for the Steelmen men to take the lead on 5 minutes, but new signing, Brad Kemp, could only shoot straight at the keeper from close distance.

Despite Parkgate starting the game the better team, Campion took the lead on 11 minutes when their talisman, Leon Hurles-Brook, received the ball on the edge of the box before firing a left footed effort past Chris Butt in the Parkgate net. Shortly, after scoring their first, the away sidemade it two when they had three opportunities, two being cleared off the line by Parkgate defenders, before Campion Striker’ Marcus Day managed to finish the third attempt, giving the NCEL Division 1 leaders a two-nil lead.

In the space of 8 minutes Parkgate had two great chances to pull goals back, with the first coming from some great build-up play, starting from the defenders, finding its way up to wide-man Bradley Kemp who picked out Reece Hands, 8 yards out, but he managed to head just wide of the post. The positive period late in the second half also saw Lewis Whitaker rattle the crossbar from 25 yards out.

Minutes after Whitaker saw his effort hit the woodwork; Parkgate’s top-scorer, Bruno Holden, found some space in a crowned penalty area before raffling home an effort past the Campion goalkeeper. However Parkgate were soon to be two goals down again. Two minutes after Holden’s goal, Campion went straight up the other end, with Marcus Day racing through the Parkgate defence and scoring, despite the offside calls from the home side.

The Steelmen went into the half time interval, trailing 1-3.

Both teams came out looking for the next goal, with Parkgate and Campion both having several half chances. And Marcus Day had a great chance to grab his hat-trick when he pushed the ball past Starosta and Crookes before hitting the post.

Parkgate substitute Brad David made a real impact on the game, and he had an opportunity to cut the lead to one goal, when a cute chipped pass landed at the feet of Davies, but he was in two minds and his shot went over the bar.

Campion well and truly killed the game off when their substitute Omar Habeeb, controlled the ball well in the Parkgate box and finishing low past Chris Butt.

Left-back Freddie Russell did manage to pull a goal back for the home side but the goal didn’t impact the result of the game and the defeat sees Parkgate lose for the third consecutive game.

Full Time: Parkgate 2-4 Campion AFC

Parkgate: Chris Butt, Ben Starosta, Freddie Russell, Matt Crookes, Owen Fieldsend, Elliott Simpson(C), Brad Kemp, Simon Harrison, Bruno Holden, Reece Hands, Lewis Whitaker.
Subs: Haydn Ward, Alex Pugh, Brad Davies, Josh Hobson, Mack Collinson.