Buckland Athletic 2nd V Brixham United 19th March 2011

[Dave]

Premier Division South Devon League

Venue Homers Heath 19th March 2011 3pm kick-off

Before the start of play Buckland Athletic 2nd were sitting in third spot in the table on 34 points having played 16 games so far and winning eleven of them, drawing one and losing four. Buckland have scored 52 goals, conceded 19 and had a goal difference of +33.

Brixham United having played the same number of games were two places and two points behind Buckland in the table winning eleven of their games played so far also, drawing two and losing just three times this season. Brixham have scored 67 goals, conceded 22 with a goal difference of +45. Looking at the table before I left home to go to the game, I noticed that Brixham have had a point’s deduction some time during the season and the reason they have fewer points than their results should show.

I got to the ground and as I was walking around to get to where I wanted to take my photos( dictated by the sun) I saw Carols second oldest son Simon walking toward me. I was unaware he played for Brixham United and so this match was going to have an extra added bonus for me. I did have a quick chat with the Brixham manager before the game who was hoping for a win today that would have seen his side go into second place in the table, if Watts Blake & Bearne failed to win away to Kingskerwell & Chelston.

With two high scoring sides playing each other, I knew It was going to be an entertaining match with plenty of action and plenty of effort from both sets of players.

Buckland started the much better of the two sides and went on attack as soon as the ref blew his whistle to start the match and they soon took a very early lead in the match. Some good wing play by Buckland’s right winger took him past the left back and into the right hand side of the box, He looked up and played an inch perfect ball to Buckland’s number nine who was standing close to the penalty spot. He hit the ball first time with his right foot and stroked the ball past the Brixham keeper into the left hand side of the goal.

Brixham then started to get much more into the game and were the better side for a good period of the half, but failed to really take any of the chances they created. Their best chance fell to their number six who gambled on a Buckland defender not winning his header. The Buckland player could not get high enough to head the ball clear and it went over his head and straight into the path of Brixham’s number sixes good run in behind him. He really should have taken the ball in much further as he only had the keeper to beat, but choose to hit the ball early from the edge of the box and his dipping volley just cleared the crossbar.

Against the run of play Buckland went and got themselves a second first half goal. Brixham failed at least three times to get the ball clear and out of their area and as the ball was knocked back in again by a Buckland player, it fell to their number nine who was just a few yards out from goal, to scope the ball into the net.

Brixham started the second half where they left off from the first one and were determined to get back into the game. They did create a number of shooting chances but most of the shots were from just outside or just inside the area with most of them ending up wide of the goal.

Buckland got caught out with a long ball over the top, I did feel they were pushing up a bit too high up the pitch on occasions. In saying that I did feel Brixham’s number seven who raced onto the ball was offside at the time, but the linesman kept his flag down. He raced toward the box and drew the keeper off his line and then passed the ball into the right hand side of the net.

Brixham pushed hard looking for an equaliser and there sure were some meaty challenges going on all over the pitch as well as some great displays of individual skill. The player who caught my eye the most during the game just happened to be the smallest one on the pitch. Brixham’s number four who is no bigger than our own Danny Stevens but maybe just a bit heavier and going by the name of Charlie. What a very skilful player he is with such tight control when he has the ball at his feet, I say sign him up Buckle as you do like the little ones.

Buckland made the game safe after winning a free kick just outside the Brixham box. The shot was fired in and the keeper made a good save, but the ball spooned up of him and fell at the feet of Buckland’s number seven who needed to attempts to get the ball over the line. His first attempt he miss hit and he got a second chance as the ball came back to him off the shins of a Brixham defender. This time he hit the ball hard and into the roof of the net from two yards out.

A great and very enjoyable afternoon over at the Heath, and a cracking game of football and even better was the fact it was free.