Saturday 30th December 2006

• Opponent: Grosvenor
• Fixture type: League
• Venue: Home
• Result: Lost 3-1
• Scorers: Matt Cann

Match Report

The match went ahead in atrocious conditions with strong wind and heavy rain. Grosvenor couldn't believe their luck as they opened the scoring with their first attack after only 2 minutes, following a shot from close range, as the Buckland defence hesitated. This lead was doubled on 20 minutes from the penalty spot. The spot kick being awarded for a trip on the visitors centre forward as he attempted to cross the ball from 6 yds out on the goal-line. Buckland to their credit pushed forward for the remainder of the half and were denied two appeals for penalties, both for blatant hand ball decisions that were somehow unseen by the referee.

Buckland pressed hard at the start of the second period, even though they were playing uphill into a howling wind. On 15 minutes the referee awarded a penalty for hand ball, the resulting spot kick was calmly slotted home by Matthew Cann to cut the Grosvenor lead. The remainder of the half was an end to end encounter with the best of the scoring opportunities falling to the visitors. Only three superb saves by Danny Barnes in the Buckland goal kept Grosvenor at bay. With ten minutes remaining Buckland almost recorded an equaliser. Vinny Bott broke free on the counter attack and slotted the ball through to Jake Lomax who quickly laid the ball to Leon Appleton, but his final shot was well saved by the keeper. With the game in the final minute Grosvenor sealed victory with a third decisive goal following a corner.

Man of the Match: Danny Barnes (goalkeeper)