Buckland Ladies first league match
GRANT FISHER called the Buckland Athletic Ladies striker Laura Gough 'outstanding' and a 'natural goalscorer' after she scored nine of the team's 10 goals in their first ever competitive game yesterday.
The Buckland team was formed in the summer and Gough, plus half a dozen others, moved from South West Premier Division side Torquay United to Homers Heath where they will play this season in Division One of the Devon Women's League.
But Fisher was unable to fix a friendly with anyone playing at their level – so a series of defeats in the run up to this game, always against higher league opposition, had left the manager and his coaching team a little nervous.
And when last night's visitors Budleigh Salterton opened their season last Sunday with a 13-0 win against another new team Shaldon Villa – it was another reason to be wary.
No matter, because in the end the 10-1 win was pretty straightforward – with Budleigh completely unable to cope with the pace and skill of Gough, who perhaps missed as many chances as she scored – and the composure of the captain Louis Stentiford-Crook, who was magnificent in midfield.
Fisher said: "Goughy was outstanding and the girls did the job … 10-1 – what more could we ask for?
"I thought the start wasn't up to scratch but once we got into our stride we were head and shoulders above them.
"Laura is undoubtedly a natural goalscorer and it is an absolute gift to have her at the football club.
"I hope she finishes with us and takes us through many, many leagues.
"She is a phenomenal player and one that we are very, very lucky to have."
Buckland got over their early nerves to be 5-1 up at half time – Gough scoring all five and Budleigh finding the net in one of their rare attacks.
Budleigh changed their goalkeeper at half time, but Gough was rampant again, even missing chances she looked nailed on to score.
When she was brought down in the box for a penalty, Stentiford-Crook slammed the ball home to become the team's second ever goalscorer.
Even the heavy rain couldn't dampen the spirits.
It was a long time coming, Buckland's first game, after they were placed right at the bottom rung of the ladies' football ladder by Devon FA.
The game was even delayed after the FA had caused confusion by 'standing down' the original referee – with his replacement failing to turn up. It was a bizarre piece of luck that the original official had decided to turn up and watch the game anyway.
"The girls and I have been itching to get the season started. We have all been absolutely dying to get out there," said Fisher.
"It was a tough pre-season and we started our league campaign later than others.
"We struggled to get friendlies – and we hadn't tasted a victory. For any team that is not nice.
"We wanted to get out there and we knew today that we would put it right.
"For the first outing, I am very happy."
Buckland will now wait until Sunday, September 20, for their next game – when they go to Armada Park to play Plainmoor Ladies, who have a game against Okehampton Argyle tomorrow (Sunday).
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