Post by Dave on Dec 11, 2021 10:24:37 GMT
Match Officials Aiden Madden, Dillon Gascoigne, Paul Redding
Final Score Buckland Athletic 2 Wellington FC 0
Match Preview
It never ceases to amaze me how we can all have such different viewpoints on a game of football. Some Buckland regulars thought the team were poor against Ilfracombe last weekend and deserved nothing from the game.
I thought the lads worked hard enough and had plenty of the game, hit the woodwork twice but missed a number of good chances that would have seem them claim the three points if they had gone in. I also thought the team was missing a Danny Gaze or a Josh Webber belting down the left hand side of the pitch.
What ever lessons that needed to be learnt from that game would have been as the focus turns to the next challenge that faces the team, for Buckland that is a third round tie in the FA Vase against Wellington AFC.
In the second round of the FA Vase, Buckland beat Falmouth Town, the runaway Peninsula Premier West leaders who were unbeaten in eighteen games before their Second Round trip to Homers Heath, by three goals to one. A very healthy crowd of three hundred and two created one of the best atmospheres ever seen at the Heath.
In their second round match Wellington AFC were at home to Wessex League Premier Division side Christchurch FC, a game they won by five goals to two at home thanks to a hat trick from their new signing Theo Simpson.
Buckland played Wellington AFC in their second game of the season at home and won the fixture by six goals to one. Wellington came into today’s game on the back of a home defeat by three goals to one against Helston Athletic. Wellington took the lead on thirty one minutes thanks to a Theo Simpson goal. But they missed a whole lot of good chances that they paid for dearly in the second half. Helston took just one minute of the second half to get back on to level terms, Billy Tucker put them in front on fifty eight minutes from the spot. With one of my favourite players Stuart Bowker adding a third goal on seventy eight minutes.
Wellington AFC are hoping to make club history today by reaching the forth round of the FA Vase for the very first time. This a cup match, past results do not matter when there is so much at stake. Buckland will need to keep a close eye on Wellingtons danger men and be at their very best if they want to be in the hat for the next round.
Match report
I arrived at the Heath and soon learned that there was ten players not available for selection for today’s match, due to either being cup tied, suspended or some other reason. A situation that would most certainly test the depth of the Buckland squad and one that could turn the tie in Wellington’s favour.
I feared for the team today but how unfounded those fears were. The eleven players that took to the pitch did their club and supporters proud and made this former Buckland boy even more proud. They wore their shirts with pride, fought for every single ball and played some very good football in between.
Another damp and dull day with the pitch looking in good condition but very wet underfoot, but the Buckland boys soon made us all forget about the unfavourable conditions. Unlike last week the floodlights were put on before the match got underway.
The match referee blew up for the start of the match and Buckland went straight on the attack. Owen Stockman picked up a very early booking that proved to be costly later in the match. It was not a foul worthy of a yellow card in my book, but the Wellington player who did not receive any treatment made enough noise to make the referees mind up.
Buckland won five or six corners, but nothing came from them Charlie Johansen had two half chances on goal that went wide, but you knew at some point Buckland were going to take the lead in this match.
Charlie Johansen burst at pace into the Wellington half and was crudely hacked down by Jordan Casey who rightly had his name taken. Richard Groves hit a good volley goal bound, it was attack after attack. During the whole of the first half, Andy Collings in goal for Buckland did not have one single shot to save.
With forty three minutes on the clock Buckland took a well deserved lead, the ball was played low from the right hand side into the Wellington box. Owen Stockman composed himself and fired a low shot across the keeper into the far right hand corner of the goal.
The referee blew up for halftime and after watching the Buckland boy’s first half performance I had no fears for the second half. The referee blew his whistle and we were off again.
Wellington soon had their very first attempt on goal, Glen Wright hit a good shot from the edge of the Buckland box, but his effort flew over the crossbar.
While Wellington were slowly getting into the game, Buckland always looked dangerous when they were in the oppositions half. Charlie Johansen ran into the left hand side of the Wellington box with the ball at his feet. It looked to me he had gone in too close to the left hand post and wide of it. But from a tight angle he fired a shot that went inside the right hand post.
So the Bucks were now two nil up but looked to add to their lead. Mani Skett went on a powerful run and got a good shot away that forced a fine save out of Shay Allen in goal for Wellington. There was also a very big shout for a penalty when Charlie Johansen was brought down in the Wellington box, but the referee gave nothing.
Wellington came close to getting a goal back when a good low ball was fired towards the back post from the left hand side. Myles Quick stuck out his leg and was only inches away from making connection with the ball.
Wellington substitute Sam Towler spotted Andy Collings off his line and hit a shot from the halfway line that Sam was just able to pluck out of the air. Mani Skett was played in again from a good low through ball; he got a shot away that once again was well saved by Shay Allen.
Wellington was enjoying their best spell of the match, but the Buckland defence stood big and strong and never looked in any real danger of conceding a goal.
Close to the halfway line Owen Stockman with only minutes left in the match, barged a Wellington player off the ball. The referee showed him his second yellow card of the match followed by a red one.
The match referee blew up for the end of the match and Buckland were very worthy winners. I felt very pleased for the Buckland manager, who despite the selection problems he faced, put out a side that did him and the club proud. Well done Buckland if I keep enjoying my time at the Heath I might never get to cover games elsewhere. Many thanks as always to Amy for my copy of the team sheet.
