Dronfield Town came out on the wrong end of a goal fest as early Northern Counties East League Division One pacesetters Campion AFC claimed a 5-2 win. The Bradford-based club took a three goal lead early in the second half and despite consolation goals from Charlie Stewart and Callum Mawbey, never looked like giving up their lead. Town now move on to a tough month of October comprising of nine games beginning at North Ferriby next weekend.
Dronfield started with a front three of Ord, Bebbington and Wood and the early signs were promising. Bebbington’s ball into the box found the head of Mawbey on 6 minutes but his attempt went straight into the hands of Campion keeper Stephen Kerr.
It took until the quarter of an hour mark for Campion to find their way in the game. Billy Wright’s clearance was charged down by Campion skipper Aiden Day, who brought out an excellent one-on-one save from Dronfield’s Lewis Naylor.
Campion took the lead just one minute later however. Aiden Kirby found himself in plenty of space on the right hand side and finished expertly low to Naylor’s right.
Campion doubled their advantage on 28 minutes. Kirby was given time to bring the ball down, turn and fire low to Naylor’s right once again for his second of the game.
Dronfield employed a change in formation on the half hour mark; Bebbington moving out to the right and Mawbey replacing him up front. Lewis Naylor was called upon once more, palming the ball away from Sykes’ header in the 40th minute.
The half ended optimistically for Dronfield. Danny Wood crashed the ball against the upright after more good work down the right from Sam Bebbington.
Town had the better of the first fifteen minutes of the second half but were dealt a hammer blow on 58 minutes.
Edward Tordoff’s low right wing cross was converted at the back post by the surging Sean Hunter to make it 3-0.
Dronfield introduced Fairweather, Rupere and Fereday almost immediately and were rewarded with a goal back in the 71st minute. The Campion defence were rooted expecting an offside decision from a ball into the box, allowing Charlie Stewart to calmly slot home from close range.
Hopes of a comeback were dashed just two minutes later as Aiden Day produced an outstanding finish from the edge of the area into the top corner past an outstretched Lewis Naylor to make it 4-1.
The goals came thick and fast as Dronfield clawed another back three minutes later. A corner from the near side was met firmly by the head of Callum Mawbey to make it 4-2.
Campion sealed the win on 78 minutes however. An attacking move saw the ball hit the post, Dronfield failed to clear their lines and Mohammed Qasim was on hand to stab in for the home side’s fifth.
Town now begin a mammoth nine games in the month of October including a trip to fancied North Ferriby FC next Saturday and a tricky away FA Vase tie at Cheadle Town on Saturday week.
Campion: Kerr, Carney, Bodle, Eastwood, Hall, Graham, Tordoff, Day, Sykes, Kirby, Hunter Subs: McCreadie, Qasim, Kearsley, McEwan, Lightowler.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Wright, Stewart, Mike Fereday, Pugh, Hill, Chapell, Mawbey, Bebbington, Wood, Ord Subs: Fairweather, Gladwin, Flower, Rupere, Mark Fereday.
Attendance: 89
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