Bulldogs rediscover scoring touch (From Gazette Series)

Bulldogs rediscover scoring touch

Charfield AFC 0 Cam Bulldogs 4

In the end the result of this game faithfully reflected the relative league positions of the two teams, with Cam in the running for promotion and Charfield languishing just above the relegation zone.

After their unexpected reverse the previous week at home to Bishop's Cleeve, Cam ran out comfortable winners in the end because they rediscovered their scoring touch, with an impressive hat-trick from Danny McIntosh.

The Bulldogs also took to the field with new signing Alan Knott, the former Portsmouth and Forest Green Rovers goalkeeper who has joined from Slimbridge, lining up in place of the injured Ben Jagger.

Charfield began the match confidently, keeping their new shape, with three at the back, which had gained them a valuable 3-2 win at Stonehouse the previous week.

Certainly, Paul Spill, Charlie Laing and Mark Young coped confidently with everything that Cam threw at them in the first half, and the visitors were restricted to some optimistic long-range efforts, although Maz Meta did break clear five minutes from the interval and, with home keeper Craig Luker stranded, Jack Barnfield shot against the bar from a narrow angle.

Charfield had their own fair share of attacks in the first half, with Nick Ackland dominating midfield, and Jimmy and Sean Rigg lively up front. But the home side were also restricted to long-range efforts in the main, mainly from Ackland and Steve Spill as the visitors' defence stood firm, with keeper Knott very impressive under the high ball. It was no surprise when half-time arrived with honours even at 0-0.

But everything changed in the second half. It is difficult to say precisely why Charfield suddenly fell away, but the fact that Cam scored right at the beginning of the half did not help, as a long cross from Steve Bennett on the left was headed in at the far post by the powerful McIntosh.

Ten minutes later, McIntosh made it two, with a mazy run through most of the home defence, that saw him slip the ball coolly past Luker.

These reverses seemed to knock the stuffing out of Charfield and after 25 minutes Cam added two more goals, with McIntosh firstly heading in a Bennett free-kick from the right for his hat-trick, and then Barnfield scoring from close range after some dazzling footwork from the elusive Meta.

After this, the game went into a very quiet phase, with the home side apparently dispirited and the visitors happy with the 4-0 scoreline.

Afterwards, Bulldogs manager Stuart Grimwood said: "The attitude was spot-on after last week's defeat, and special mention must go to Danny McIntosh for his hat-trick and Alan Knott, in goal for us in his first game for nearly two years.

"This week, it's the big one against Dursley at home (2.30pm KO) and we know that it will be a very hard game. They are in the middle of a good run and have a very strong squad. I have a couple of injury worries and I lose Simon Penny again this week.

"But, in Knotty, we have a great pair of hands between the sticks as cover for Ben Jagger, who is still a week or so away from a return."