Saturday 3rd March 2007

• Opponent: South Molton
• Fixture type: League
• Venue: Home
• Result: Drew 3-3
• Scorers: Jake Lomax, Simon Odell, Phil Short

Match Report

Buckland started brightly in their first match for 4 weeks against a South Molton side sitting fourth in the division. With the wind at their backs the home side pressed forward during the opening stages and were rewarded after 20 minutes as Phil Short smashed the ball into the net from a narrow angle following a corner. Only minutes later Vinny Bott won the ball in midfield, quickly played a pass down the wing to new signing Simon O’Dell. His pin-point low cross was met by Jake Lomax who had an easy tap-in from close range, to put Buckland two goals ahead. Ten minutes later South Molton halved the deficit as one of their midfield players neatly chipped the keeper from 15yds. Almost on the stroke of half time Buckland restored the two goal advantage as a delighted debutant, Simon O’Dell scored with a firm shot from 12yds following a period of good Buckland pressure.

South Molton stunned the home side at the start of the second period by scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes. The Buckland defence were at sixes and sevens during this initial period, but slowly regained a foot in the game and could have taken the lead as Simon O’Dell wriggled between two defenders, only for his shot to be well saved by the keeper. All three Buckland substitutes were used during the latter stages, as players tired through lack of match practice. Late in the game Leon Appleton was put through on goal by Simon Adams, with his shot hitting the back of the net. Unfortunately the linesman had flagged for off-side and the goal was duly disallowed. At the final whistle an entertaining and sporting match ended with honours even.

Man of the Match: Phil Short (midfield) & Simon O’Dell (striker)