Saturday 7th November 2009

• Opponent: Braunton
• Fixture type: League Cup
• Venue: Away
• Result: Lost 4-0

Match Report

The Buckland squad were hit by illness for the second week running. A team of 12 were assembled on Thursday night, but this was reduced to 9 on Saturday morning as players pulled out due to flu & stomach symptoms. After several phone calls on Saturday morning, John Adams just managed to put a team together for the trip to Braunton. This included debuts for assistant manager Paul Brooks and a first start for the ageing Sam Morgan-Shaw. To make matters worse central defender Martin Tucker could only play the first half before having to leave for work. Who'd be a football manager ?......Playing with a gale force wind at their backs in the opening period the home side scored three times to have full control of the game at half time. Simon Adams had to move back into defence to replace Martin Tucker after the break and with a superb display of composed defending helped the team restrict the opposition to a single goal 15 minutes from time. James Gray chased tirelessly all afternoon and even with old boots falling off his feet Sam Morgan-Shaw managed to plod through the second period. The team still came away smiling, even Paul Brooks who gamely played the final 15 minutes as a lone striker.

Man of the Match: Simon Adams (defender)