North West Counties League First Division North
Lee Ashforth says changes in personnel have helped inspire Campion’s turnaround in form since the poor performance in the defeat to Steeton on Bank Holiday Monday in August.
The loss at their local rivals was the peak manifestation of Campion’s grisly start to the season.
Ashforth and James Bicknell immediately rang the chances and although September began with two defeats, Campion are now unbeaten in three with two wins and a draw.
“I think the players have got fitter,” Ashforth told Non League Yorkshire.
“We were looking at the other teams too much and not concentrating on what we can do.
“We had a couple of players playing in that Steeton who we felt weren’t quite fit enough and weren’t quite doing it.
“Luke Rhodes has come in at centre-half and done really well for us.
“Danny Keane has hit a bit of form – he was on the bench for the Steeton game.
“You look at the players who have come in the team; they’ve taken their chance.
“We brought in the ‘keeper; Brad (Emmerson) done really well since he came in.
“Ethan (Crossley) the full back has done really well.
“We got him from Halifax and he’s been a breath of fresh air as a young lad with enthusiasm.
“We got Jack Maltby in a couple of weeks and he’s made a difference in the midfield.
“Mark Ferguson has started firing now.
“We just feel we are in a better position than what we were a month ago and we look a better unit now.”
Campion had hoped to launch a promotion bid this season but that looks off the table with front-runners Golcar United and Bury AFC miles ahead.
But Ashforth and Campion have not given up hope on a top five finish.
“I don’t think you can ever say no,” he said.
“If you go on a run and get some results then you can get to the play-offs but we can’t really look at that at the minute.
“We have to get away from the bottom two.
“There’s an eight point gap so we’re well away from it.
“We have to keep picking up points and see where it takes us.
“You know that we started the season wanting to get promotion but it has took us a bit too long to get used to the league.
“That doesn’t necessarily say we’re out of it because you pick up four or five wins in on the trot and you can be back up there going for those play-offs positions.
“We’re probably too far off to win the league now but the play-offs you never know.”