Saturday 28th March 2009

• Opponent: Ilfracombe Town
• Fixture type: League
• Venue: Home
• Result: Lost 4-1
• Scorers: Matt Horn

Match Report

Ilfracombe were gifted an opening goal after only 2 minutes. A mistake by a defender allowed a visiting striker to score with a simple shot from close range that gave the exposed keeper little chance of saving. Buckland dug in and should have been awarded a penalty 10 minutes later for a blatant hand ball that the referee some how missed. Although the home side held the greater possession for the remainder of the half the final attempt on goal only rarely troubled the visiting keeper. It was always Ilfracombe that looked the more likely team to score again, especially on the counter attack. In fact at least two good chances went begging before a strike 3 minutes into added time at the end of the half doubled their tally.

Buckland attacked relentlessly during the second half, but once again never really looked like scoring. The game entered the final 15 minutes as Ilfracombe were awarded a free kick just outside the box. The resulting shot rifled into the top corner of the net, but the referee noticed an infringement and ordered the kick to be retaken. The second shot struck the far post, rebounded against the keeper and was finally prodded into the net from close range, to put the visitors three goals to the good. Minutes later, substitute Matt Horn received the ball just outside the penalty area, turned inside his marker and curled a superb shot into the roof of the net. Buckland’s joy was short lived as ‘Combe killed off any hope of a recovery 5 minutes from time with a fourth goal following a corner. In the dying seconds Buckland had defender Dave Stanton ‘sent off’ for retaliation and seconds later were awarded a penalty for a foul on Vinny Bott. Buckland's day was summed up as leading scorer Simon Adams put the spot kick wide.

One of those days!

Man of the Match: Kevan Parker (defender)