Saturday 29th November 2008

• Opponent: Ilfracombe Town
• Fixture type: League
• Venue: Away
• Result: Lost 5-4
• Scorers: Simon Adams (3), Vincent Bott

Match Report

After only 2 minutes a corner kick from Arran Brooks was met at the far post by Simon Adams who headed goalwards. A defender partially headed clear and once again the ball was met by Adams who headed just over the bar. This momentum was kept up by Buckland during the opening stages and was rewarded after 15 minutes as Simon Adams was put clear on the wing. His left footed shot from 15yds flew into the far corner of the net to give the visitors a deserved lead. Ilfracombe were subsequently gifted an equaliser minutes later as a Buckland defender headed past is own keeper following a cross. Within minutes Simon Adams had restored Bucklands lead as his shot from distance slipped out of the hands the keeper and trickled over the line. Vinny Bott added a third soon after, as Buckland seemed to be romping the game. With 5 minutes to the break, Ilfracombe were awarded a dubious free kick 25yds out. The resulting shot ended right in the top corner of Bucklands net. The match was levelled by the home side in added time as yet another free kick from distance was fired directly into the top corner of the net.

Ilfracombe couldn't believe their luck as within the first minute of the second period they were awarded a penalty for a trip. To the disbelief of everyone the referee sent-off the Buckland player. The resulting spot kick just squeezed under the keeper to put the home side ahead for the first time in the match. The visitors 10 men battled well until 15 minutes from time when the home side added a fifth goal following a defensive mix-up. To Bucklands credit their players did not give up and with 5 minutes remaining a free kick fired in from wide by Jon Stanton was dropped by the keeper. Ben Dooley was on hand and prodded the loose ball against the keeper’s legs. The rebound fell to substitute Dave Stanton who drove the ball into the net from close range. Buckland couldn’t believe their luck when the goal was subsequently disallowed as the linesman raised his flag for off-side. Not to go down without a fight Simon Adams collected the ball wide on the left, cut inside and curled a tremendous shot into the far top corner of the net to give his team-mates hope with two minutes remaining. The final whistle sounded spot on time and with it went Buckland’s unbeaten league record.

Man of the Match: Simon Adams (striker)