Sharks' late goals seal a closely-fought contest (From Gazette Series)

Sharks' late goals seal a closely-fought contest

Cam Bulldogs 1 Sharpness 2

SHARPNESS came out on top in this very tight Northern Senior League Division One derby clash.

Sharpness manager Terry Gibbs was dealt an early blow before kick-off when top scorer Tim Thomas dropped out due to a reoccurrence of a groin problem. However, with strength in depth Sharpness took to the field in confident mood after the success in their last match against Lydney in the Reg Davis Memorial Cup Final.

The first half was a very close encounter with neither team willing to give an inch and there were some typical derby tackles flying around.

Sharpness could have taken the lead on 20 minutes when a lovely square ball across the box found Matt Frankham six or seven yards out, but he scooped his effort over the bar.

The game continued at a terrific pace in which most of the early exchanges were in the midfield area, where tackles were flying in thick and fast.

The first goal did arrive on 25 minutes when a hard shot across the Sharpness box was well saved by keeper Pete Waite, and Cam's Jack Barnfield was quickest to react to tap home. First blood to the Bulldogs.

On 35 minutes Sharpness had a great chance to equalise when a great cross from Rick Swift was squared back across goal by Mike Sherman for Frankham to somehow miss an open goal.

However, we was quickly forgiven by his team-mates as he had just got off his sickbed to play this game after a bad bout of flu.

With half-time approaching Sharpness had two further efforts, both from long range from Dave Nash and Sherman, which both just crept over the bar.

The second half started much better for Sharpness as they seemed a lot more positive in their approach play with Nash pulling the strings in all of their attacking play, backed up by some good inter-passing play from Swift, Young, Patterson and Sherman in midfield.

The game now was just as exciting and evenly matched as the first half, with chances being created and missed by both teams. But just as Cam were starting to think that they could hold on to the lead and actually go on and win the game Sharpness hit them twice in ten minutes.

With time starting to run out and the legs of Frankham finally having taken their toll from the previous few days, Sharpness brought on the ever youthful Brian Dickson for his first start of the season.

On 65 minutes, Nick Thomas won a free kick, and from the resulting kick Sharpness were on level terms when a diving header from defender Halsey gave Ben Jagger no chance.

This seemed to spur Sharpness on and after a period of heavy pressure a clearance from the Cam defence fell to the impressive Patterson, who drilled the ball home from 25 yards to give Sharpness the three points.

Cam lost Joe Iatalese with a heavy cold on 70 minutes after he had worked very hard in midfield along with Ian Cheshire, with both stubbing out the threat posed by Nash and Sherman, something most teams find hard to do.

Cam tried to get back on level terms but Sharpness held firm for all three points.

After the game, Sharpness manager Terry Gibbs said: "It was a very hard game today. Cam were a well organised side and I can see them being very difficult to beat on their own ground. But we stuck to our task and showed a lot of character to come from behind. It was a great team effort from everybody."

Meanwhile, Cam manager Stuart Grimwood said: "We're very disappointed to lose a game we had control of for 70 minutes but they are a good side, from player/manager Terry Gibbs at the back through to Frankham up front."

L This week Sharpness play host to high-flying Huntley, who are unbeaten so far this season (3pm).

Cam are at home again this week to Cheltenham Civil Service (3pm).