Report

Wednesday 8^th May 2013

Buckland Athletic 3 Street 1

With 52 league and cup games played this season, Buckland Athletic went into their 53^rd and final game of the season. A first season in the Western League Premier Division was to be completed this evening against Street FC who were currently positioned only a few places above the hosts.

The starting line-up for Buckland was;

Kenny Griffiths, Liam Drew, Danny Gaze, Mike Booth, Ben Head,  Cameron Kelly, Chris Wright, Danny Lewis, Jamie Mudge, Gavin Hammon and Si Revell.

And the substitutes were;

Ethan Phillips, Ben Carter and Jamie Micklewright.

With the season coming to a close it was evident to see that both sides were tired and quite honestly just wanted the game over and done with. However with less than 15 minutes played a horrific scene was witnessed at Homers Heath involving Buckland left back, Danny Gaze.

Gaze and a Street player leapt up challenging for the ball, seconds after this the yellows player was on the floor in some discomfort. Like any other occasion the physio was called onto the field however it seemed to be more severe than this. Danny was soon lifted off the pitch on the stretcher and now it is believe that he has suffered a broken cheek bone. We wish Danny a speedy recovery and what a horrible way for his strong season to end.

Only 10 minutes after the re-start Street took the lead. A striker shot towards Kenny Griffiths in goal for Buckland, Griffiths got a touch to the ball however the power behind his shot was enough for it to rocket into the net.

Despite this, 3 minutes later Buckland substitution Ethan Phillips made an immediate impact on the game. Collecting the ball out on the right, Phillips cut inside to be on his preferred left foot. He then struck a curling strike towards the near post which crept inside past Streets goalkeeper, Matthew Haines.

The drawing score was taken into the break where the attendance at Homers Heath piled into the clubhouse to warm up on a slightly windy evening.

As the second half got underway it was clear to see the half time talk from Adam Castle had fired up the players and potentially played the way they did for Gazey.

A 2-1 lead was the hosts’ on 66 minutes through Gavin Hammon. The ball found the back of the net after Hammon hit home past Haines from close range.

7 minutes later Hammon was on the score-sheet once more and made it 3-1 to Buckland. Si Revell crossed in the ball from the left hand side. Gavin leapt up above the challenging defenders to head the ball into the net from 6 yards.

This rounded off a good performance for Buckland to finish the season on. They ended up positioned 10^th in the league collecting 55 points from 38 games. As well as this, this season had seen Buckland’s most successful in the Cup competitions. The players now have a deserved rest before next year where Adam Castle will really be able to take control of his new team.

My man of the Match - Gavin Hammon.

Yellow Army!

Amy.