Buckland Ladies Win Again
Buckland Athletic Ladies travelled to Southampton Saints Girls & Ladies on Sunday afternoon and recorded their third win of the season with a 2 – 0 victory.
With another long away day, this was always going to be a tough challenge, playing against an opposition who have had an up and down start to the season.
Both Athletics’ goals came in the second half and in quick succession curtesy of Sarah Stacey in the 52nd minute and Laura Gough in the 54th minute.
Manager Grant Fisher said, “We wanted to carry on from where we left off last week and get another three points on the board away from home and the ladies duly delivered on what again can only be described as a really nice surface to play football on”.
After a slow start to the game with Southampton having a few half chances, Buckland really started to open the game up and with 20 minutes left of the first half it was one way traffic.
Sarah Stacey was denied a goal for offside, as Buckland created a few opportunities but could not either capitalise in front of goal or the balls into the final third were not quite there.
Fisher added, “We regrouped at the break and had a chat about a few things and went out in the second half and executed the plan superbly, playing on the front foot, putting pressure high up the pitch”.
Seven minutes into the half and Buckland finally got the breakthrough they deserved when a ball back into the box by Gough, following a corner, was headed home into an empty net by Stacey.
Then two minutes later Gough regained possession 35 yards out and sublimely half volleyed the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give Buckland a deserved 2 – 0 lead.
From the onwards the yellows dictated the game and the tempo with the Southampton keeper making several fine saves to keep the score line at two.
This was a real tough game, Southampton made it hard at the start and played some very nice football, however once we got to grips we Southampton’s style of play we were fine and dealt with their threats. My two-centre half’s, Jodie Chubb and Alex Sheppard were outstanding along with my goalkeeper Abbi Bond and they dealt with everything that came their way. It was a superb three points to get keeps us at the right end of the table going into a busy period of the season” Fisher added.
Attention now turns to the FA Cup, where the ladies will face league rivals Cheltenham Town who suffered their first defeat of the season, a 1-0 defeat to Chesham United on Sunday. The two sides have already met in the league on the opening day when Buckland came away with a 2-2 draw. A win in the cup will see Buckland progress into the 2nd round for the first time in their short history.
Buckland will also be showing their support for the men and women who serve our country and having a collection for #AmbersArmy. The tie will take place at Homers Health, with a 1pm kick off.
