Cam's cup cruise (From Gazette Series)

Cam's cup cruise

Gloucestershire Senior Cup Cam Bulldogs 4 Staunton & Corse 1

CAM bounced back from the previous week's disappointment to hand out a thrashing of their own against Staunton & Corse.

The Northern Senior Two high-flyers rarely threatened the home side and their best moments came only as a result of the Bulldogs' own sloppiness.

Indeed, Cam manager Stuart Grimwood even had the luxury of an untroubled 90 minutes at sweeper after the unavailability of several players forced his own inclusion in the starting line-up.

The home side should have been ahead inside five minutes but when Jack Barnfield closed down the goalkeeper from a backpass, Loz Dorman hit the loose ball too close to the scrambling stopper.

However, the Bulldogs did get their noses in front after ten minutes. Dorman hit a wonderful crossfield pass to put Jer Coburn in and, although he dwelt long enough to have his shot blocked, Coburn had the presence of mind to flick the loose ball into the path of the onrushing Sean Clune who side footed the ball home from 12 yards.

Staunton arguably had the better of the first half possession thereafter, but it was the home side that created the better chances.

The lively Dorman hit the top of the crossbar with a chip while Barnfield would have had time and space to pick his spot had Dorman squared the ball to him shortly afterwards.

At the other end the visitors' best effort was a 35-yard shot that Ben Jagger held comfortably.

Cam almost doubled their lead on the half hour with a tremendous move that saw Dorman release Barnfield down the right and his cross only just eluded Coburn at the far post.

Ten minutes before the break the home side did add a second goal from a superbly worked one touch move.

Brad Price took a short free-kick on the edge of the box that Barnfield helped on to Dorman who rifled a shot in at the near post.

Staunton were in dire need of a quick riposte after half-time and they got it within two minutes when Dave Taylor cracked a brilliant shot past Jagger from more than 20 yards.

The visitors were buoyed by the goal but any hopes of a comeback were spectacularly extinguished on the hour.

Wing-back Joe Iatalese was released on the right and from the just beyond the corner of the penalty area he produced a quite magnificent chip that left the goalkeeper absolutely helpless.

The two goal cushion restored the Bulldogs' confidence and they could easily have scored six or seven.

Substitute Nathan Vines wasted the best chance by firing at the goalkeeper, while shots from Coburn, Dorman and Price all lacked accuracy.

However, a fourth goal did arrive five minutes from time when Jagger's long clearance released Barnfield and the front man teased his marker before curling a powerful strike into the net from 15 yards.

Afterwards Grimwood said: "That was an excellent way to get over last week's poor performances.

"To be honest, we did expect a harder game given that they beat Dursley so convincingly a few weeks ago, but I think this just demonstrates the difference in class between the two divisions of the Northern Senior League."

l Tomorrow Cam return to league action with a trip to Chalford, while the corresponding reserve team fixture takes place at Everlands (both 2.30pm kick-offs).