Sunday 4th March 2007
- Opponent: High Bickington
- Fixture type: League
- Venue: Home
- Result: Won 5-1
- Scorers: Leon Appleton (2), Edward Jonckheere (2), Jake Lomax
Match Report
Torrential rain and a very heavy pitch greeted the teams as Buckland attempted to relieve their backlog of fixtures by playing the second game of the weekend.
An evenly contested opening 15 minutes edged in the visitors favour as their centre forward scored at the second attempt following an error by the Buckland centre half. Within minutes the home side were level. A well struck shot from 15yds, from full back Darren Moore, was blocked on the line, only for an alert Leon Appleton to prod the ball into the net from close range. Buckland took control of the match from this point, as their players knocked the ball around with assurance on a damp surface and into the face of a gusting wind. Midway through the half Ed Jonckheere stamped his authority on the game by firstly calmly lobbing the goalkeeper from 25yds, following a poor clearance from the High Bickington defence. Ten minutes later the same player weaved his way through the opposition defence and neatly slotted the ball past the despairing keeper to add goal number three. With the half time break fast approaching, Jake Lomax found himself 30yds from goal with only the keeper to beat. A fine finish from 15yds saw the striker record the fourth goal and give Buckland a strong advantage.
With the wind at their backs in the second period the home side could relax slightly, knowing they had a three goal cushion. Both substitutes were brought into the action after 15 minutes in order to rest weary legs. The majority of the action remained in the opposition half as Buckland continued to create chances, although no further goals were scored until 10 minutes from time when a fine cross field pass found Simon Adams in space. His first time shot along the ground from 20yds appeared to be goal bound, but the heavy surface slowed the ball just short of the line. Luckily fellow striker Leon Appleton was sprinting into the goalmouth and knocked the ball into the net just ahead of a recovering defender.
Man of the Match: Edward Jonckheere (midfield)