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Post by bucklandgull on Apr 22, 2015 4:09:42 GMT
Buckland Athletic v Melksham Town Sat 25th April.
Big game at the Heath,Buckland looking to beat the leaders.3 wins will give them the title COYY
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Post by Dave on Apr 25, 2015 7:52:07 GMT
Toolstation Western League Premier Division Buckland Athletic v Melksham Town
Saturday 25th April 2015 Kick-Off 3pm
Venue Homers Heath
Referee Mark Greenwood Assistant Referees Nigal D'Arcy & Phillip Eadie Final Score Buckland Athletic 0 Melksham Town 0 Buckland’s biggest game of the season against the league leaders Melksham Town who came to the Heath looking to leave as the champions of the Toolstation Western League Premier Division. Buckland needed to win today’s game and their two remaining fixtures to claim that top spot which would be a remarkable achievement for the club.
Who would have thought after Buckland went on two poor losing runs this season where they could not seem to even buy a win; they would be in second place in the table with the title very much in their own hands. So much credit has to be given to Adam Castle who has defied his critics and just got on with his job steering his team up to the top of the table. We should not forget the players who have given their all to the club and to Adam Castle as well, it has been a great team effort from top to bottom.
Today the Buckland team needed to be at its very best if they did not want to hand the title to Melksham Town, while they would have wanted to beat the opposition convincingly, they would have taken a win no matter which way it came.
The league records this season for both clubs were very similar, Melksham Town had played 34 games, winning 22 of them, drawing 6 games and losing just 6. They had scored 87 goals, conceded 40 and were on 72 points.
Buckland had played 33 games and also had won 22 of them; they only drew 1 game all season but had lost 10 of them. They had scored 86 goals this season, conceded 40 and were on 67 points.
The maths was very simple, win today and the two remaining games and win the title by two clear points, the only down side to this was that Buckland would not be promoted as they did not apply to be. For many that would seem such a shame but the reasons for Buckland not looking to move up the football ladder any further at this stage is perfectly understandable.
Over £40.000 needs to be spent on the pitch and other ground improvements would need to be made, then there would be all the extra costs that come with playing in a higher league. Its such costs that held Buckland in the South West Peninsula – Premier Division for so long, before they finally took the plunge and moved up to the Toolstation Western League Premier Division
It is far better to build slowly and solidly as Buckland has done over the years that way the club will always be there for everyone to enjoy for years to come. I’m very confident that when the time is right for the club, we will see it move further up the football ladder.
All football lovers in Newton Abbot should be very proud of their number one club in the town; I know I’m proud to say I’m a Buckland Boy. From such humble beginnings playing football at Sandringham Park to being on the brink of winning the Toolstation Western League Premier Division title race has been amazing.
I arrived at the ground nice and early and joined Mr Buckland himself big Roy at his table. Such a lovable man who pokes fun at himself which gets everyone near him laughing. He knew just how big this game was for Buckland and was far more nervous than I’m sure any of the players were.
A damp and dull afternoon weather wise and sadly the game did not really live up to expectations. The plain facts of the matter are one team did all they could to try and win the game, while the other team did all it could not to lose it. Buckland were the better team on the day and played the best football, but chances for either side were few and far between. While Buckland tried to play the ball up to an into the Melksham Town Box, Melksham just seemed contented to hit long hopeful balls forward.
Not a bad crowd of 235 and Buckland would love to see that many turning up for all their home matches, they do as I have already said, deserve far more support than they get. These two sides will meet again next season as Melksham applied for promotion, but then withdrew their request as their new ground will not be ready in time for next season.
The game got underway and just a few minutes later Melksham were forced into making a substitution when one of the player suffered a leg injury while competing for the ball with Danny Gaze. Just after this Buckland came close to winning a penalty when the Melksham keeper Rob Brown, hacked down from behind Gavin Hammon. The referee decided it happened just outside of the box, but it must have been a close call.
One long ball played out from the back by Melksham put their forward Gary Higdon clear in on goal, but he took his shot far too early from the edge of the Buckland box and his shot never troubled Grant Fisher in goal for Buckland.
Buckland’s best move came about after a fine long pass to the edge of the Melksham from the left wing by captain Simon Revell. His inch perfect pass went to the feet of Gavin Hammon who cleverly laid the ball back into the path of his team mate Shane Gill. Shane hit the ball clean enough but had to stand and watch as it flew over the crossbar.
Gavin Hammon was working his socks off chasing down every lose ball and never gave the Melksham defenders any time to deal with the ball, from such hard work he won his side a number of corners.
The first name in the referees book was Danny Gaze, it was a fifty fifty ball and not even a foul in my book and Danny rightly protested his innocence to no avail. That was it for the first half and we were all hoping for a much better second half of football.
The second half started of a very scrappy affair, with the ball spending more time up in the air than on the deck. Melksham’s Lee Fielding was booked for hacking down Shane Gill Bucks Mike Booth soon joined him after hacking down a Melksham player when they were briefly getting on top.
Buckland tried to up their game and did all they could to try and take the lead. Shane Gill came close when he headed the ball goal ward from just inside the area, but the keeper made the save. Buckland had Melksham penned back their own half but could not create the clear cut chance that was needed.
Melksham were now reduced to playing on the break and with the very last kick of the game nearly stole all three points. A long ball played in Gary Higdon who only had the keeper to beat. Thankfully for Buckland he had to hit the ball early which was almost waist high. He was unable to get any real power in the shot and a grateful Grant Fisher made an easy catch.
It was in Buckland’s hands but its not now, but its not all over yet. Melksham have one more game to play against Willand and it is a must win game for them. If they lose it or even draw it and Buckland win their two remaining fixtures the title comes home to the Heath.
Buckland at worst will be the league runners up and that is an achievement in itself and the players and the manager should all give themselves a big pat on the back. Well done Buckland and thanks for not only being a great club to follow, but also one of the most welcoming.
Where it all began |
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Post by Roy Holmes Buckland Legand on Apr 28, 2015 17:53:01 GMT
Dave, once again a great report and some wonderful photographs. I do enjoy reading your reports each week no matter which game you go to, but it's always nice to see you at Homers Heath, and you'll always be made welcome see you next season big Roy
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Post by Dave on Apr 28, 2015 18:49:22 GMT
Dave, once again a great report and some wonderful photographs. I do enjoy reading your reports each week no matter which game you go to, but it's always nice to see you at Homers Heath, and you'll always be made welcome see you next season big Roy Thanks for you kind words Roy, knowing others enjoy reading my match reports makes it all worthwhile. I love the time I spend at the Heath and wish I could cover more games there. I will be back next season that you can count on, but as I get so many requests to cover games, as I was this season, I will be here there and everywhere. A big thank you Mr Buckland for all the hard work you put into the club, as I said in my report I'm proud to call myself a Buckland Boy. See you soon. |
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