Clarke hails Joneses after Campfield's 'deserved' win

Campfield boss Anthony Clarke said his side deserved their 2-0 win over OJM The FA Sunday Cup Final.

The Merseysiders scored early through Steven Jones and dominated the first half at Ewood Park, before having to weather a second-half storm as OJM fought-hard for an equaliser. 

But Jones added another with less than 20 minutes left on the clock to seal a famous win.

Clarke was full of praise for his two-goal striker, whose hold-up play and neat passing was key in allowing his side to gain control of the match. 

He spent large parts of the game on the periphery but came to life when the ball was played into his feet.

"Steven Jones probably gave the most underrated performance on the pitch today," Clarke said. 

"He deserved the luck with his second goal [a deflection] because he put a shift in. He didn't see hardly any of the ball, it was bouncing round him a lot of the time, but when he did get on it he made it count." 

Steven Jones bagged both Campfield goals

Clarke also singled out his goalkeeper, Ryan Jones, who produced a series of stunning stops that frustrated OJM, and midfielder Kevin Macellin, whose vision and passing in midfield was a key aspect of the win. 

"Our keeper kept us in it," he said. "In their most dangerous moments, our keeper stood up and proved why we brought him here. He kept us in the game. 

"He followed on from the semi-final performance. That's why we signed him – we knew he had it in his locker. In big games you rely on your big players and I thought he stood up today. 

"I thought Macellin was brilliant. Give them their due, they had us under the cosh for a large, large part of that second half, but our big players stood up." 

Ryan Jones kept OJM at bay

The Campfield boss also said his side's ability to settle the quickest in what was a tense game gave them an edge. 

"I thought it started off as expected, a bit nervy, but we were the first team to settle and play any kind of football and we got an early goal," he said. 

"But the danger of scoring early goals in big games like that is you always retreat and invite the opposition onto you. But I thought we dealt with it brilliantly."  

He added: "They play their physical style. They were getting it down our throats but I don't think it paid off for them. 

"They're deserved Finalists but our quality showed when it needed to."