Post by Dave on Nov 17, 2012 10:18:59 GMT
Buckland V Brislington 3/11/2012
I thought it was about time I paid a visit to Homers Heath and see how well Buckland has managed to make the step up from the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League to the Toolstation Western League. What better game to choose then than against the league leaders Brislington who top the table on 30 points having played 14 games, winning nine of them, drawing three and losing just two. Buckland were in fourteen place before today’s match, but as they have only played eight games so far, winning four, drawing two and losing two, they might be in a false position in the table.
While it was not as cold today as it was last Saturday, there was still a nip in the air and the light was very poor due to the very grey and overcast sky. I was expecting it to turn out to be a very wet afternoon, but the rain held off right up until the final minutes of the game and boy did the heavens open up then.
I decided as I wanted a quick get away after the game to park on the driveway of Homers Heath. As I walked up to the pay booth, dear Amy came running down and gave me a big welcoming cuddle. I was soon talking to her dad Bucklandgull and a little later on, Amy very kindly filled in my programme with both sets of players names.
Bucklandgull showed me the new players lounge that has been built on the side of the clubhouse, very soon there is going to be a proper opening ceremony for it and full praise has to go to all those who gave their time to build this fine exstension for the players use after the games etc.
Time to go to the tea hut before walking around the other side of the ground to watch the match. I bought my usual pasty and a cup of coffee for £1.70 I think and was served by Richards mum (tufc01) and we enjoyed a good chat and she said she would send Richard a text to tell him we are missing him here on the TFF.
The game kicked off and Buckland looked the better side and came close to taking an early lead in the match. A foul had been committed some 20 yards outside Brislingtons box and everyone seemed to be waiting for the ref to blow his whistle. He didn’t and the ball ran onto Bucks number nine Gavin Hammon. George Hale in goal for Brislington, came rushing out to the edge of his box and Hammon coolly chipped the ball over him. Unfortunately he was not able to catch up with ball to put it in the net and the ball rolled harmlessly just past the left hand post and behind for a goal kick.
Then against the run of play, Brislington took what was a surprise lead. A long ball played out wide on the left, caught out the Buckland defence. Brislingtons Alex Lambert got on the end of the ball and cut in towards the Buckland box. Buckland’s keeper Kenny Griffiths went rushing out to the right hand edge of his box, but Lambeth managed to take the ball around him and fire it towards the unguarded net.
Brislington only held onto their lead for two minutes after their keeper gifted Buckland an equaliser. I’m not sure what he thought he was doing if he even knew himself, but he had the ball at his feet and let Chris Wright just take it off who then walked the ball into the empty net.
Buckland were still looking the better side and Chris Wright created another chance for himself to get a shot on goal, He very cleverly turned and got a shot away inside the Brislington box, but could not get enough power into his shot, making it a rather easy save for George Hale.
Brislington were only able to have the odd breakaway and John Moss wearing the number nine for them, did go on a good run down the middle of the pitch. But he took his shot far too early and too far out to really trouble Bucks keeper Kenny Griffiths.
Bucks next chance fell to Simon Revell who hit a fine shot just outside the box, forcing George Hale into making a neat save. He then rather foolishly talked himself into the ref’s book, but to be fair to him, the ref was having a very bad game and I’m not too sure he committed a foul in the first place.
So the first half ended one all and Buckland came out for the second half, fully intent on winning the game. Unbelievably they soon found themselves being a goal behind again. I missed the build up to Brislingtons second goal, but I’m sure it was their number seven, Lain Knight, who fired the ball home from around the penalty spot.
Buckland went looking for an equaliser and for most of the remaining time in the second half, kept Brislington in their own half and created chance after chance on goal. Liam Drew went on a great run down the right hand side, beating a number of Brislington players before laying the ball on a plate to team mate Chris Wright. Chris was just inside the box and hit his shot first time, but could not keep his effort down and in the end it flew high over the crossbar.
Brislington were still having the odd attack and their number four Tom Godsell went on a mini run and fired in a good shot on goal that Kenny Griffiths did well to save low down on his near post.
The ref at this point was starting to lose it and he must have been bad because the lineman turned to me and said the ref was embarrassing himself. He booked Bucks Ben Carter for a nothing challenge and then let go a very poor tackle by a Brislington player near the centre circle.
This made ex Plainmoor favourite Tom Kelly hopping mad and his very loud Scottish accent directed at the ref, could be heard in Torquay. The ref decided to come over and have a word with Tom and for a good while they stood face to face so close they could have kissed each other.
Time was running out for Buckland and try as they might they could not find that second goal they were looking for. With just ten minutes left on the clock it was time to bring on their manager and now very veteran striker that living legend, Anthony Lynch.
The very first ball played up to him and he was clearly pushed in the back, he strongly complained to the ref who did not award a free kick. The ref then decided to blow up against him the next time the ball was played up to him and for what may I ask?
Three extra minutes were added to the end of the second half and it looked like Buckland were going to lose a game they fully deserved to win. The ball was thrown into the Brislingon box and was cleared but only to Dean Stevens who was outside of the box, He hit an unstoppable screamer that flew into the net. I’m not sure but the ball might have taken a slight defection on its way into the goal.
The heavens opened up and I was glad the ref then put the whistle to his mouth for the final time. As he walked off the pitch he was made fully aware of what a number of the Buckland fans thought about his performance.
A great game of football to watch and a very enjoyable afternoon, only spoilt by me getting soaking wet walking back to my car. I turned on the car radio and could not believe our boys had lost. So that’s our FA cup dreams over for another year, sort it out Ling.
Some match photos, Sorry they are not so good quality as normal I had to whack up the film speed due to the very poor light just to try and freeze the action.
