Bobby leads from the front in comfortable Camelford home win over Hayle

MANAGER Bobby Hopkinson scored twice as the Camels cruised past promoted Hayle in wet and windy conditions at Trefrew Park on Saturday.

The targetman has been thrust into action recently due to injuries and availability, but his ability to bring others into play has proved invaluable as shown once again.

After an even opening 15 minutes where Hayle had their moments, Hopkinson went close on the half-hour when his shot which was destined for the top corner, was superbly saved by Caleb Hendy.

However, gave the Camels the lead five minutes, finding the net from 20 yards after spinning a defender.

Home keeper Cory Harvey was forced into action shortly after at his near post, but Hopkinson got his second on 43 minutes as good play down the left by early substitute Joe Parr saw his pull back from the left put in at the near post from 12 yards.

Camelford saw more of the ball after the break, led by the excellence of Jacob Ham in midfield, and added a third just after the hour as good work from Hopkinson and Kenley Dyson found Kyle Flew coming in off the right. He was fouled inside the box, however the referee played advantage and Parr went around the keeper before tapping home.

Hayle pulled one back with 10 minutes to go from the penalty spot, but Camelford nearly added a fourth when centre-half Dan Hocking struck the post with a 20-yard free-kick.

Hopkinson felt his side were good value for their victory as they stayed eighth with 13 points from seven outings.

He said: “It was a pleasing day. As I said the other day, we needed to get back to that feeling of winning regularly and being confident, and yesterday backed up the good win last week at Torrington in the FA Vase.

“Everything is rosey in the garden at the moment in the dressing room and there’s plenty of banter flying around which is what you want. We all play football to enjoy it and have that release from every day life, and we’ve taken that enjoyment into the game in the last couple of games which has showed.

“When you’re winning games of football there’s not many better feelings, so we want to do it as much as possible and also remember that feeling when it doesn’t go quite your way, so we all put everything into each and every game.”

He continued: “It’d have been nice to get a clean sheet, but it was a pretty complete performance. We’re back to scoring goals in the last few games and look a threat going forward, and with players coming back now over the next couple of weeks, there’ll be lots of selection headaches for me which I haven’t had this season.”

The player/manager also praised Ham’s performance, adding: “Hammy was superb for us whether that was winning possession back, his ball retention or with his forward passing, and since he’s come back from his travels he’s been immense. Hopefully that can continue.”

CAMELFORD: Cory Harvey; Ronnie Reynolds, Dan Hocking, Tom Crowe (capt), Josh Harris; Kenley Dyson, Piotr Maciejewski, Jacob Ham; Kyle Flew, Bobby Hopkinson, Liam Higgins. Subs: Sam Watts, Olly Taylor, Joe Parr, Matt Gilmour, Matt Lloyd.

Camels’ man-of-the-match: Jacob Ham.