Hopkinson hails response as Camels see off high-flying Sticker

PIOTR Maciejewski’s first half goal gave the Camels a much-needed victory as they overcame previous leaders Sticker at a windswept Trefrew Park.

Camelford had been soundly beaten at Bude Town and Callington Town in their previous two games, conceding seven without reply, but were much more like themselves to secure a third win of the season from five starts.

Camels boss Bobby Hopkinson was able to welcome back right-back Sam Watts and influential winger Liam Higgins following holiday and injury respectively, while the absence of Kyle Flew meant he decided to play himself up front as a targetman.

The hosts had the wind in their favour in the first half, but found the first 10 minutes tough work as the Yellows showed why they had won all four of their previous outings.

However, Camelford gradually got on top with Hopkinson using his size and strength to hold the ball up and provide a link for the midfielders to run onto.

They took the lead on 32 minutes with a fine move as a pass into his feet saw him play in Kenley Dyson who found Higgins, and although his shot was well-saved by Harry Ashton, teenager Maciejewski was on hand to fire in the loose ball.

Other home chances in the first half saw dead ball specialist Hopkinson fire narrowly over from 40 yards, while a Tom Crowe header went just wide.

Unsurprisingly, with the elements in their favour, it was Sticker who enjoyed much of the territory after the restart, however a combination of excellent home defending coupled with the wind taking balls out of play, meant they struggled to really test Cory Harvey.

At the other end, Camelford had a couple of moments on the break, including winger Olly Taylor not quite being able to divert a cross in, but were indebted to the brilliance of Crowe in injury-time to preserve their lead. A set-piece into the box looked to have been forced in, but from nowhere he was in the way to divert it clear.

Camels boss Hopkinson hailed his side’s bouncebackability. He said: ““From a manager’s perspective we got back to showing people what Camelford are about. I hate losing more than anybody, particularly with how poor we were on Wednesday at Callington, but it was I was delighted with the response. The togetherness before and during the game were back to the levels of last year and it was great to get the enjoyment back again.”

He continued: “I questioned the boys’ mentality earlier in the week and during the second half in particular they had a point to prove it, and they did so.

“Sticker are a decent team and had scored 16 goals in their first four games, but to nullify them to very few chances is a real credit to the lads. Hopefully from now on the only way is up and we’ve now set the standards again that we expect.”

Camelford aren’t back in action until Tuesday, September 8 when they make the long trip west to Helston Athletic (7.30pm).

CAMELFORD: Cory Harvey; Sam Watts, Tom Crowe (capt), Dan Hocking, Josh Harris; Kenley Dyson, Ross Beare, Jacob Ham; Olly Taylor, Bobby Hopkinson, Liam Higgins. Subs: Ronnie Reynolds, Will Rees, Cam Palin, Matt Lloyd.

Camels’ man-of-the-match: Tom Crowe.