Camelford 4 Foxhole 0

[Darin Morse]

Camelford 4 Foxhole 0

Saturday 23rd April 2011

Able only to muster eleven players, including both the manager and the chairman, Foxhole at least managed to restore some pride after last Tuesday's debacle but nevertheless could not avoid yet another heavy defeat. Their determination was soon put to the sword as the Camels quickly settled, creating two early chances which were squandered, first horribly by right-half Metherell, and then by the unmarked Murt, but the visitors continued to battle impressively against the odds, and enjoyed some, albeit brief, periods of good possession on the fine Trefrew Park surface. However Gusterson was proving a little too hot to handle, being unlucky when his twenty-five yard screamer was superbly tipped onto the upright by Holland before finally opening the scoring on 34 when heading Menhinick's cross into an unguarded net, soon after Reynolds had somehow fired wide following a mix-up between the keeper and Ralph.

The second half was largely a similar story of stubborn defiance in the face of concerted pressure. Holland's legs denied Pooley, while Reynolds' lack of composure in front of goal was to be displayed on three more occasions, first when failing to capitalise on Ralph's misjudgement of Colwill's huge kick, then by shooting wide from eight yards once Murt's mishit shot had fallen kindly into his path, and finally by crashing an effort against the post from close range. However, Foxhole's burly strikers Adam Holland and Griffin were beginning to cause some dangerous moments themselves to an increasingly uncomfortable looking Haynes, the pair combining for Griffin to force Colwill into flying action, Metherell hacking the ball clear in some desperation, while Bird's drive from distance flew just over.

Hopes of spoiling the party were dashed, though, when Andrew's speculative lob from near the halfway line dipped under the bar with twenty minutes remaining, followed seven minutes later by a cool finish from Gusterson after a rare flowing move by the relieved home team. Foxhole pressed on gallantly, Mackellar cleverly finding the industrious Kempthorne, whose attempt was smothered by Colwill, who then dived to save another Bird pile-driver, but they were to concede a fourth three minutes from time when, following a lightning break after successfully defending Bird's corner, Gusterson again displayed admirable finishing prowess.

Foxhole (4-4-2): Ryan Holland; Daniel Allen, James Cutlan, Bradley Ralph, Jason Hancock; CJ Bird, Chris Allen, Michael Kempthorne, Tony Mackellar; Richard Griffin, Adam Holland.

Camelford (4-2-4): Josh Colwill; David Andrew, Shane Looker (sub. Ryan Pooley), Martyn Haynes, Adam Sleep (sub. Gareth Jones); Lewis Impleton, Kevin Murt; Dan Metherell, Paul Menhinick, Mark Gusterson, Gyles Reynolds.

Referee: Mr Ian Pattison (Helston).