Buckland Take Top Spot but are Edged out of Bowl
It was another successful weekend for Buckland Athletic with all four senior sides picking up wins and the men’s first team adding former leaders Bristol Manor Farm to their growing list of victims as they move back to the top of the Toolstation Western League. But despite keeping Football League side Exeter City out all evening, the Grecians ended Buckland’s Devon St Luke’s Bowl journey on penalties.
Jared Lewington moved level on goals with Gavin Hammon for this season as he opened the scoring in the 25th minute, Dan Griffiths, who had come close himself, supplying the ball for the front man to rifle home. But a Stowell header from close range, seven minutes before the break, sent the sides in level. After the break, Lewis Perring came close to edging the Yellows in front but the ‘keeper came out and made a great save with his legs. Nick Rudge then set up Lewington for his second of the night, the latter rounding the visiting goalkeeper and slotting home in the 74th minute. The clincher came with ten minutes to go, Richard Groves catching the Manor Farm defence on the edge of the area and hitting a fine shot into the back of the net.
Buckland Athletic Ladies are also top of the South West Women’s league and already the only side with a 100 per cent record as they defeated Alphington LFC 4-0, Emily Hannaford with two goals and Laura Gough and Kirsty Caunter with the other two. Buckland Ladies were also granted easy passage into the next round of the FA Cup as Cheltenham Civil Service pulled out of the tie which was due to be played this Sunday.
Buckland Athletic Reserves found little resistance from Tavistock Community FC in the Preliminary Round of the Devon FA Premier Cup, Lee Chapman and Ben Robinson’s side scoring six without reply away from home to set up a First Round tie with Upton Athletic. Finally, Buckland Athletic Thirds made it three wins out of three with a 2-1 win at arch-rivals Watcombe Wanderers Reserves in Division One of the SDFL.
So Buckland will have been full of confidence ahead of Tuesday night’s First Round Devon St Luke’s Bowl tie where they hosted League Two outfit Exeter City. The game ended goalless but the visitors made it through on spot-kicks.
