Saturday 31st January 2009
- Opponent: Putford
- Fixture type: League
- Venue: Home
- Result: Won 2-0
- Scorers: Matt Horn, Edward Jonckheere
Match Report
The local derby and top of the table clash had an opening 45 minutes of scrappy football, but with a penalty shout turned down for Buckland together with two shots hitting the woodwork from Putford, the crowd were kept entertained. Striker Vinny Bott appeared to have been brought down from behind and within the penalty area after 10 minutes, but the referee decided not to award a spot kick. Buckland created two good chances within the following 15 minutes. Firstly Simon Adams shot just wide from 8yds, and minutes’ later youngster Arran Brooks found himself in front of goal but his tame shot was easily collected by the keeper. Putford almost took the lead midway through the half. Keeper Danny Barnes parried a shot, only for the rebound to land at the feet of a Putford striker whose subsequent shot hit the post and rolled along the goal line before being cleared. The Buckland defence were put under increasing pressure in the period just before the half time break as the Putford strikers pushed forward with the wind at their backs. A header by an opposition forward just before the break also hit the crossbar, before being collected by a relieved keeper.
Buckland started the second half in a more positive fashion as the players began to put their passes together and pressure their opponents defence. An injury to midfielder Jake Lomax after 15 minutes meant a second weeks run out for striker Simon Leach. As the game progressed, the pace and power of Simon Adams together with the strength of Simon Leach, soon had the home team on the front foot. Midway through the half a firm cross from Arran Brooks was dropped by the keeper, but an alert Matt Horn was on hand to prod the ball home from close range to edge Buckland ahead. Substitute Ed Jonckheere had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes when he struck a sweet shot from 18yds that rifled into the net to seal victory for Buckland, 5 minutes from time.
Man of the Match: Kevan Parker (defender)