Final Score Buckland Athletic 2 Hallen 0
Firstly a big thank you to all at Buckland for the wonderful warm welcome I received and thanks also to Amy for doing the teams for me. The problem is after a fine win today, they are going to want me back for the next home game.
Buckland were made to work hard for the whole of the ninety minutes and that is just what they did. Solid in defence, tigerish in midfield and full of running up front. Buckland were always on top, always in control and should really have won be a much higher score line. In saying that this great win has put and end to their recent losing streak and if the team play this well for the rest of the season, they will win plenty more games that’s for sure.
I was really pleased to see Danny Gaze back at the heath, a quality cool headed player that plays such a big part in the team. I liked the look of Bucks number seven Shane Gill, a player full of pace and not afraid to run at the opposition and take them on. I also enjoyed watching Gavin Hammon up front for Buckland, it was one of the best games I have seen him play and was pleased he got his reward for all the running he did by getting the second goal.
Buckland started the first half as they finished, well on top and creating a number of half chances. Mike Booth made a smart turn on the edge of the Hallen box but missed the target. A great ball was played into the box from the right hand side of the pitch, it fell kindly for Simon Revell to hit first time, but sadly he was not able to get any power into his shot.
Buckland came close to taking the lead after a fine run and shot from Shane Gill, the keeper made a save on his near post but the ball went towards his back post. Simon Revell twisted and turned this way and that before scooping his shot over the crossbar.
It looked like it was going to be another game where Buckland were on top and failing to put their chances away, when Gavin Hammon miss hit his just yards from goal and had to stand and watch his effort go past the right hand post.
It was nearly all one way traffic and surely Buckland had to score soon? Well thankfully the first goal did arrive and it was a very well taken corner by Danny Gaze that was met at the near post by Simon Laughton who got real power on his header giving Sam Burgess in goal for Hallen no chance at all of making the save.
Danny Gaze sure looks happy to be back at Buckland and its always a joy to watch him go on a run on the left hand side of the pitch. One such run saw him burst into the box but the keeper came out well and blocked Danny’s shot close in. The ball ended up on the edge of the Hallen box and Mike Booth his a power diver of a shot that smashed the top of the crossbar and behind for a goal kick.
Buckland then scored their second goal and this time Gavin Hammon made no mistake. A long ball was played out of the Buckland half and flicked on by his head by Ellis Lang. Gavin had already started his run and burst into the box between two defenders. He hit a very powerful shot into the back of the net from just inside the box. A fully deserved reward as I said for all his hard work and effort he put into the match.
That was all the action for the first half and Hallen came out for the second half in a much more fighting mood. There was so much more urgency in their play, but they never really troubled the Buckland defence. Hallen were pushing so high up the pitch it left so much room for the Buckland forwards to run into and the only big question is why they did not put away so many of the second half chances they created.
A great through ball put Gavin Hammon in on goal, his first effort was blocked but the ball came back to him to hit a first time left foot volley across the keeper and just wide of the right hand post.
Buckland’s Ben Head was booked for bring down Matt Tovey just outside the Buckland box. Nothing came from the resulting free kick but it was a needless booking in my opinion.
Hallen might have got a goal back when Tom Emery was on his own in the Buckland box and was looking to chip the ball over Tom Buckler in goal for Buckland. He was yards on side when the ball was played into the box and the linesman got it wrong bit time when he stuck his flag up.
Gavin Hammon went on another good run and shot just wide before being replaced by Jordan Havlin. Up the other end Andy Cook put a good cross into the Buckland box that was flicked on by Tomas Collett to the back post where Olly Butler was only able to stab the ball wide of the post.
Buckland were enjoying so many break a ways and with almost his first touch of the ball substitute Jordan Havlin nearly scored. The ball was won on the half way line and two passes later was on the edge of the Hallen box. Jordan hit a fine shot from just inside the left hand side of the box aiming for the back post. The keeper did well to get his hands on the ball and behind for a corner.
Bucks had two more good chances to score before the ref blew for full time, Ellis Laight hit a fine curling left foot shot from the edge of the box that just went wide of the left hand post. After being played into the Hallen box by Jordan Havlin, Shame Gill really should have scored. I could not believe it when his shot went wide of the post and I don’t think he did either.
That was it and just to add it was a great game to watch and I enjoyed so much being back at the Heath. ( PS any English mistakes in this report I will correct soon as I have to go out lol )
