Post by Dave on Oct 20, 2018 9:42:02 GMT
Match Referee Sam Littlefair, Referees Assistants Graeme Martin & Brandon Hawkins
Final Score Buckland Athletic 3 Odd Down 0
Match Preview
I finally got a Saturday off work and there was only ever going to be one place I was heading for. Homers Heath the home of the mighty Buckland Athletic, the best club in Devon as far as I am concerned.
The last first team game I was able to cover at the Heath was way back on the 10th March this year against Bridgwater FC, in my report of the game I ended up writing Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment. Simply because it was a fantastic game of football that showed the Buckland team at its very best.
The team lost its way a bit last season until Adam Castle returned and steadied the ship, but by them promotion was already probably out of reach. A new man Craig Duff was brought in to manage the first team, but what ever the reason it did not work out. Just one win in five attempts this season and in sixteen place in the league table made up the clubs mind to part company with Craig.
There has seemed to be a number of players coming and going this season, which can’t of helped, but since Adam took charge again, results have improved. Buckland have won four of their last five league games and have climbed to tenth place in the table.
On Monday of this week the club announced the appointment of former Exeter City striker Richard Pears as the first team new manager. Adam Castle certainly believes Richard is the man to keep the club moving upwards again and I welcome him and wish him the best of luck in his new role. Richard will officially take over as first-team manager after today’s Western League Premier Division fixture at home to Odd Down.
Buckland’s league record to date this season, played ten, won four, drawn one and lost five. They are currently in tenth place in the table with thirteen points and a minus two goal difference.
Odd Down have only played eight games so far this season, winning four and losing for along the way. They currently sit in thirteenth position in the league table on twelve points and also have a minus two goal difference.
Match Report
It seemed a very long morning waiting to head off for Homers Heath, but it was so good to get that Saturday football feeling back, if only for this week.. The trip over to the Heath is so much easier these days thanks to the new Devon Highway; it only took just five minutes from Paignton.
As always once at the ground I went and had a chat with Big Roy and was able to catch up with all the recent events at the club. It was time to head to my normal stop in the ground, the sun was shining brightly, but I knew that later it would cast big shadows over the pitch which presents its own problems when you are taking match photos.
The players came onto the pitch and soon the game was underway and it did not take Josh Webber long to stretch his legs on a good run down the left hand side of the pitch deep into the Odd Down half. Sadly for him he was finally stopped by an Odd Down defender, but I knew that would be the first of many good runs Josh would make during the game.
Both sides were working hard without really being able to create any real goal threats, Odd Down won two corners on the trot and wasted both of them. Odd Down then put a very good move together with a number of slick passes that put one of their forwards clean into the Buckland box, but the shot was very tame and ended up with the ball just rolling towards Kenny Griffiths the Bucks keeper to pick up.
Odd Down slowly were getting on top for a short while, a good run by Adnan Hiroli saw him get a good shot away that somehow was saved on the goal line. Buckland responded well and for a period there was nothing to separate the sides.
Bucks Lloyd Gardner went on one of his powerful runs down the left towards the corner flag and sent a great low ball into the box that somehow and fortunately for Odd Down got hooked over the crossbar and behind for a Bucks corner.
Lloyd went on another dazzling run into the Odd Down box and hit a powerful shot that only just went wide of the left hand post. Odd Down were still very much in the game and came so close to taking the lead. Jake Sinclair was close in and gifted with a free header that looked certain to go in. The Bucks keeper Kenny Griffiths pulled of and amazing reaction save and managed to get the ball over the crossbar.
The Bucks captain Liam Head foolish got himself the first yellow card of the match in an off the ball incident, not always a good move when you are a strong tackler like Liam is.
It looked very likely that the Buckland faithful were not going to see any goals in the first half of the match and that is how it turned out. A good competitive and entertaining first half, but one that was just lacking enough goal action.
The second half got underway and Odd Down started it very strongly, but Buckland through pure hard work were soon back on top. I could not see all that was going on in the Odd Down box, but after a few attempts Buckland were unable to get the ball over the goal line. Then ten Buckland players were chasing after the referee demanding a penalty
When you see that many players all convinced a penalty should have been awarded, it probably should have been. Looking at one photo I took that I have not included in this report, it looks very likely a defender used his arm or hand on the goal line to stop the ball going in.
That only seemed to spur the Buck players on and Ryan Bush hit a great shot that just went wide of the right hand post, but the shot must have taken a slight defection as a corner kick was awarded.
In the incident where the penalty was not awarded to Buckland, the Odd Down keeper was down of the ground for a very long time receiving treatment. When he finally got back onto his feet, he was still limping very badly. So it was no surprise that shortly after this he was down on the decks again and had to be replaced.
He handed his goal keepers shirt to a team mate and the very first thing the replacement keeper had to do was pick the ball out of the back of the net. The game had restated with a Buckland corner that came into the box low and Dan Harrison who was in the centre of the goal mouth close in, stooped down and forced the ball home in between a defender and the new keeper.
Some teams are happy to sit back when they take the lead, but that is not the Buckland way and the heaped the pressure on the Odd Down defence trying to increase their lead. Josh Webber hit a good shot that was saved well low down by the left hand post.
We did not have to wait to long for Buckland’s second goal. A typical powerful run down the right hand side into the right hand side of the box by Charlie Johansen and then a clean shot across the advancing keeper into the far corner of the net.
Odd Down were doing their best to get back into the game but the Buckland defence stood firm and looked in no real danger. It was the Odd Down keeper still being kept the busiest as Buckland looked for goal number three. He did pull off one fine save by his right hand post from another Charlie Johansen effort.
After what looked like a nasty foul, one of those handbag moments occurred and the end result when it all calmed down was a booking for Odd Downs Rich Dawley and Bucks Dan Harrison.
Bucks Josh Webber hit a wonder shot from all of thirty yards that was well tipped over the crossbar by the stand in Odd Down keeper. Les Afful a player I have seen play at a higher level before came on with ten minutes to go and was quickly in the action.
It was Les that got Buckland’s third goal when a headed effort by Ryan Bush on goal from the left hand side of the goal, went pass the keeper towards the back post and Les acted first getting to the ball and hooking it back and into the net.
Buckland were very worthy winners today and I am going to call it the Adam Castle effect. I only hope the new manager will be able to get the players playing for him as Adam is clearly able to do. If he can then expect Buckland to continue marching up the table.
Thanks to all my Buckland friends for your help today, it was good to see you all and I look forward to my next return to the Heath as soon as I am able to.
