Ollerton Bounce Back to Stun Campion in Seven Goal Thriller!

Report by William Lavelle. Photo by DC Photography Retford

Ollerton Town got back to winning ways last night as a dominant performance throughout large periods of the game helped pull Dave Winter’s men out of their February slump as they inflicted a 4-3 defeat on a Campion side who had previously only suffered one loss in 2018.
Ollerton took the game to their opponents early on with Campion really struggling to settle in to the game. As a result, the Town were able to take a lead after the third minute when Zac Argyle's left footed effort was parried towards Kyle Ludlow who able to easily convert from close range.
Ollerton continued to attack Campion and the pressure saw them double their lead just after the tenth minute through Kyle Ludlow once again. Lewis Bingham’s in-swinging corner didn’t initially appear to be too dangerous but it wasn’t met by any player at the front post and Ludlow was able to head home at the back stick for Ollerton’s second and Ludlow’s 8th of the season.
Ludlow then almost added Ollerton’s third to complete his hat-trick as he shouldered off a defender before striking a right footed across goal but it was also just wide of the post.
Ollerton looked to be in complete control of the game but Campion were able to find a goal out of nothing as a poor cross from the left hand side looped over Ollerton goalkeeper Joey McCormack and snuck in at the far post to give Campion a lifeline at 2-1.
The game became quite a nervy affair after the Campion goal as both teams struggled to string passes together but Ollerton were able to reassert control over the game after Gav King restored their two goal advantage. Zac Argyle’s long free kick was ineffectively dealt with by Campion goalkeeper Daniel Armitage and the goalmouth scramble ended with King volleying home from close range.
Campion almost replied immediately as Danny Stocker’s free kick from just outside the box smashed the woodwork, but King was able to show his clinical nature at the other end to effectively finish off the game before half time. Bingham chipped the ball across to King who struck the ball back across goal to the far corner to give Ollerton a three goal advantage going into half time. That was King's 20th goal of the season as the prolific front man continues to enjoy a fruitful campaign in front of goal.
Ollerton appeared to operate more conservatively in the second half but still looked to be the team in the ascendancy and had chances to extend their lead. King tested Armitage from range but the keeper pushed the ball wide of his left post and King had another sighter on the half volley from Ludlow’s knockdown but saw his effort sail just wide of the post.
Campion had struggled to establish any pattern of play throughout the game but the Bradford-based side exploded into life after the 70th minute. Devonte Morton was able to slot the ball past McCormack in a one on one situation and there appeared to be a nervousness about Ollerton’s play from there on.
The visitors came on very strong late on and would’ve had a third if it wasn’t for Liam Cooper who cleared the ball off the line from a Campion corner.
Ollerton had the chance to kill off a game which looked to be finished by half time as Ludlow laid the ball off to King but he blazed over from just outside the six yard box.
That failed to alleviate the pressure on Ollerton's defence and Campion were able to win a 90th minute penalty as Cooper was alleged to have shoved over Lee Bradshaw inside the area. Aidan Day converted from twelve yards out to make it 4-3 to ensure a tense ending for Ollerton.
Campion continued to threaten deep into extra time but Ollerton were able to hold strong for the remaining minutes within injury time to register their first win in five and Dave Winter's side will now be hoping to put a run together as they reach the business end of their second season in the Northern Counties East League.