Camel's 3rd fixture was away to Stoke Res on a blistering hot Saturday afternoon. With 2 games played & 2 very contrasting performances adding to injuries sustained by influential players Harry & Grant, veteran manager Lee Caines' hand was forced to make changes to both personnel and formation.
The managers instructions of attack from the start were evident as Camel created a glorious chance for Bennie within the opening 20 seconds Lasty's inch perfect ball over top set him free but the Stoke keeper saved well. With the midfield 3 of Lasty, Oscar and Paddy dominating & the movement up front from Marshall, Leon and Bennie Camel pushed forward with some decisive attacking football at times but lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.
Matty swung in a free kick from the right on 20 mins which was put behind and from the resulting corner Leon climbed highest to head over. Matty' game was over shortly afterwards with The Egg filling in at right back his 3rd different position in as many games. Camel had a few more chances to open the scoring, Bennie,Oscar & Lasty all had shots blocked and Stone met 2 Oscar corners heading the 1st wide the 2nd against the post after the ref blew for a foul.
Stoke struggled to make anything happen and resulted to long balls over the full backs, but with chapman & The Egg staying narrow they failed to penetrate Camel' defence and squandered their only real chance when Giff saved a weak effort when their striker found space in the box. 0-0 at half time.
With some tired legs after a high paced 1st half Camel reverted back to 4-4-2, this backfired instantly. Stokes midfield entered the game and dominated the opening 15 mins only some good goalkeeping kept the score level. Ash came on for Chapman on the hour but it was the introduction of Jay on the right that turned the game.
Marshall curled over and after Lasty found Bennie in the box but he sliced his effort wide. The breakthrough came on 70 mins when Jay teed up Leon who shot low and hard inside the near post to give Camel the lead, then with 10 minutes left Camel worked the ball from left to right and Jay crossed low to the back post where Marshall timed his run well to finish off the game.
Credit to Stoke who maintained a high tempo right to the end but a superior Camel side got back to winning ways with a well earned 2-0 win. Manager Lee Caines must be delighted with both team and personal performances. Man of the match was Duane Stone for his astute defending and some vital tackles saw Camel keep their 1st clean sheet.
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