Saturday 18th February 2006

• Opponent: Dolton
• Fixture type: League
• Venue: Away
• Result: Drew 2-2
• Scorers: Steven Bennett, Ben Carter

Match Report

The visit to the division leaders was not relished by the Buckland players as the home fixture earlier in the season saw Dolton win 6 – 0. A battling performance by Buckland on a very heavy and sticky pitch restricted the home strikers to a couple of close range efforts that hit the woodwork in the opening 25 minutes. With central defender Martin Tucker suspended for five weeks, Darren Moore was brought into the middle of defence and together with Kevan Parker kept a close reign on the Dolton strikers. With the industrious Vinny Bott along side the skillful Simon Adams in midfield Buckland had two players who were more than a match for their Dolton opponents. Buckland opened the scoring on the half hour mark, as Ben Carter neatly pushed the ball into the visitors penalty area and was tripped from behind to win a penalty kick. Steve Bennett just managed to score from the spot, his shot passing through the keepers legs. The visitors held firm as Dolton pressed forward for the next 15 minutes, but reached the break with their lead intact.

Dolton increased the tempo during the initial 15 minutes of the second period and almost equalized on two occasions but were thwarted by a couple of great saves from Danny Barnes. To the disbelief of the home supporters, Buckland increased their lead on 20 minutes. Ben Carter struck a shot from close range and his effort was helped into the net by the despairing lunge of a defender. With Buckland in total shock after taking a two goal lead, their concentration lapsed which enabled the home side to score twice in quick succession to level the scores. Reality returned to the visitors who dug deep into their reserves and once again competed on equal terms with their opponents. Ben Carter, who had run himself into the ground playing as a lone striker was replaced by substitute Jake Lomax for the final 20 minutes. Good chances were created at either end as both sides attempted to win the match, but to no avail. Dolton had to play the last 10 minutes with only ten men as a midfielder was sent off for abusive language to the Buckland linesman.

Man of the Match: the whole team.