Post by Dave on Mar 21, 2015 9:45:03 GMT
Toolstation Western League Premier Division
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Toolstation Western League Premier Division
Buckland Athletic V Street FC
Saturday 21st March 2015 Kick-Off 3pm
Venue Homers Heath
Referee Steven Annis- Assistant Referees Benjamin Judd & Rigas Gatzianidis
Attendance: 107
Buckland Athletic V Street FC
Saturday 21st March 2015 Kick-Off 3pm
Venue Homers Heath
Referee Steven Annis- Assistant Referees Benjamin Judd & Rigas Gatzianidis
Attendance: 107
Final Score Buckland Athletic 2 Street FC 0
Buckland have enjoyed a fine start to the second half of the season that has seen them climb up the table. A six game run of wining results that saw Buckland rise to third in the table with a good number of games in hand over the teams above them. Buckland scored an amazing twenty two goals in those six games and only conceded three.
The fine run came to an abrupt end last Saturday when Bucks were beaten away by Sherborne Town. Mike Booth was sent off for handball very early in the game and Phil Ormrod gave the home side a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot. Gavin Hammond equalised for the Bucks on 18 minutes with a strike that found the inside of the far post. But Steve Friend headed home a Joe Smeaton cross for Sherborne before half time. In the closing stages of the second half Sherborne goalkeeper Jamie Beale made two good saves to keep Buckland out, while Adam Castle was red-carded for comments he made to the referee.
Adam Castle was well aware before the start of today’s game, that every time a winning run has ended this season with a defeat, further defeats have followed. So it was important that habit was broken and Buckland got straight back to winning ways. I’m a big fan of Adam Castle and have always believed he was the right man for the job. A top three finish in this league would be a remarkable achievement for the club.
Buckland are no longer the big fish in the pond as they were when playing in the Carlsberg league, the club has adapted so well to life in the Western League and deserve as much support as possible as that would help the club consider aiming even higher in coming seasons. With over £40.000 being needed to be spent on some decent drainage for the pitch and other improvements that would need to be made, promotion is not something that would be on the table this season.
A sensible decision as Buckland are still really finding their feet in this division and to be honest I can’t see any real advantages for the club moving further up the ladder just yet. Buckland has made incredible progress from its humble beginnings and any promotion can only happen when it is the right time for the club.
Buckland lost their first encounter with Street this season back in September when they lost by three goals to two away at their place. In October the two sides met again this time at the Heath in the Les Phillips Cup. A game that Buckland won by thee goals to two.
Street also enjoyed a good start to 2015, while they lost their first game in January away to Sherborne Town 3-2 they then went on and beat Brislington three nil at home and Hallen 4-0 away. They followed this up with a 1-0 home win against Slimbridge and a 2-2 draw at home to Winterbourne Utd.
But the wheels have fallen off for Street this month being beaten at home 1-3 by Bradford Town and then losing 1-0 away to Shepton Mallet, so they were also looking to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
On a very sunny but often cold Saturday afternoon at the Heath, Buckland showed just why they are the team to beat in the Western League. A great hard working display against a team who only came to try and stop Buckland playing their good football, well that was until the second half of the match. More on that later.
Many thanks to Bucklandgull and big Roy for allowing me into the players lounge before the match to take a photo of the presentation of the Leagues Safe Hands Award to Bucks deserving keeper Grant Fisher.
I would also like to thank the Street Ultra’s, all four of them who kept me amused all afternoon. A small group of very young boys who sang their hearts out from beginning to the end and must have made far more noise than the Torquay United fans made last Tuesday evening, then even had a drum.
The pitch was in very poor condition and it must be so frustrating for the groundsman trying to get a half decent playing surface right now. Large areas of sand and Buckland are going to have to try and find some money to sort things out. Mind you when you have to find £220 for the match officials, it makes every other penny coming into the club count even more.
The first half kicked off and there was very little goal action, Street just wanted to keep hitting the ball long and try as hard as they might, Bucks just couldn’t create much in from of goal. The Street keeper slipped on the edge of his box trying to collect what looked as easy ball to get hold of. It let in Gavin Hammon who looked certain to score but didn’t. But one thing we all know about Gavin is he will keep on working hard and will take at least one good chance that comes his way.
Bucks Shane Gill hit a powerful shot on the edge of the Street box that only just went wide of the left hand post. But on the 27th minute all Buckland’s hard work paid off when they took a well deserved lead. A great through ball played in Simon Revell who took the ball on a few yards and then coolly slotted the ball past the keeper into the back of the net. A great finish from a great player.
Not long after the goal Buckland should have been awarded a spot kick when Liam Head was pushed over in the Street box, how the ref did not give it I simply do not know. Bucks won a free kick outside the Street box and up stepped dead ball specialist Danny Gaze. His direct free kick hit the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed. I believe the linesman put his flag up for offside, crazy decision and one that robbed Buckland of a second goal.
Just before the break Mike Booth found himself in a good position in the Street box, but he was leaning back when he took his shot and scooped the ball over the crossbar. The ref blew up for half time with Buckland leading by the single goal and they really should have gone in at half time three nil up.
Buckland started the second half well on top and had an early chance to extend their lead when Gavin Hammon played in Lloyd Gardner who shot wide of the left hand post. Then Mike Booth came close to scoring close in and credit has to be given to the Street keeper for getting a hand on the ball and getting it behind for a corner. Buckland won a number of corners but could not get that much needed second goal.
As the half wore on Street started coming back into the match and enjoyed a very good spell. They won at least three corners on the trop, but thankfully the Buckland defence stood big and strong. It was all getting very nervy for the Buckland faithful as the pressure started to mount on Buckland.
There was one nasty clash of heads that resulted in a very large bump on the Streets players head; he had to go off as I’m not sure he no longer knew what day it was. Thankfully he seemed to recover from that very hard knock on his head, Tackles were going in hard from both sides and one such tackle on the edge of the Street box, saw their number five Harry Foster having to be helped off the pitch with a leg injury.
Right at the death that super striker Gavin Hammon settled all our nerves when he put Buckland two nil up. Street were pushing high up the field trying to get back on level terms and a great long through ball played Gavin in behind the Street defence. He looked to be going to wide at first, but was just drawing the keeper out a bit before firing the ball through his legs from a tight angle.
A very enjoyable afternoon and a great performance from the Buckland boys. COYY
