1st Team Reports

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Diff	Pts
BUCKLAND ATHLETIC	22	16	3	3	71	29	42	51
BODMIN TOWN	22	15	2	5	59	25	34	47
FALMOUTH TOWN	22	15	2	5	44	22	22	47
ST.BLAZEY	23	13	3	7	55	33	22	42
PENZANCE	24	12	5	7	46	37	9	41
TORPOINT ATHLETIC	24	11	8	5	42	40	2	41
TAVISTOCK	21	13	1	7	44	33	11	40
PLYMOUTH PARKWAY	19	12	3	4	55	26	29	39
IVYBRIDGE TOWN	27	10	7	10	51	54	-3	37
WITHERIDGE	20	9	4	7	48	36	12	31
SALTASH UNITED	22	8	7	7	38	31	7	31
ELBURTON VILLA	24	6	8	10	39	49	-10	26
DARTMOUTH	23	6	3	14	33	51	-18	21
BOVEY TRACEY	23	5	5	13	39	64	-25	20
LAUNCESTON	19	5	3	11	30	39	-9	18
LISKEARD ATHLETIC	21	4	5	12	31	53	-22	17
CULLOMPTON RANGERS	20	5	2	13	28	52	-24	17
WADEBRIDGE TOWN	22	4	3	15	24	51	-27	15
HOLSWORTHY	22	2	4	16	25	77	-52	10

Saturday 6th March 2010 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 4-1 Witheridge

Buckland Athletic strengthened their lead at the top of the Premier Division after coming from behind to defeat Witheridge 4-1 at Homers Heath with striker Antony Lynch grabbing a hat-trick.
Buckland now have a four-point cushion over Bodmin Town after the defending champions were held at home by Dartmouth. This was Buckland's 13th consecutive win, in all competitions, and was a nice follow-up to their 3-0 midweek triumph at Dartmouth. "It's been an excellent week," beamed Buckland's assistant manager Jamie Carwardine. "To come away from these two fixtures with six points is very good and we need to keep this form going. "With Bodmin drawing at home to Dartmouth it shows what a great result we had at Dartmouth. "We've got some character in our side and we have a very happy dressing room. "After the first 25 minutes we dominated the game and when we're in full flow it's great to see. "I'm very proud of the lads because they work very hard and deserved everything they got today. In the last few games we have really got our engines going and the way we're playing is superb."

After falling behind to Steve Avery's stunning 15th minute volley, Buckland upped their game, deservedly levelling in the 38th minute when Gavin Hammon broke down the left before crossing the ball for Lynch to score at the far post. Five minutes later Lynch ran on to Shane Gill's through ball before firing home his second to give the Bucks the lead at the break. They increased their advantage, three minutes into the second half, when Mark Young played in Danny Gaze who was upended as he burst into the box for Lynch to complete his treble from the penalty spot. The Bucks continued to dominate although they only added one more goal 10 minutes from time when Matt Beer played in Gill and he set up up Hammon to rifle an unstoppable shot in off the Witheridge post.

Wednesday 3rd March 2010 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Dartmouth 0-3 Buckland Athletic

Buckland started the evening in second place in the league table as Bodmin Town had over taken the previous evening when they defeated Plymouth Parkway away 3-0, but by the end of Wednesday night the Buck's were back in 1st place after beating Dartmouth 3-0. This was the first time that Buckland hadtatken maximum points off Dartmouth at Longcross in a league fixture. The lads made a quick start and went two goals up early on when Antony Lynch scored twice. This was added too by a second half strike from the impressive Luke Horrocks.

Wednesday 24th February 2010 Throgmorton Cup Quarter-Final

Exmouth Town 0-4 Buckland Athletic

Buckland made it through to the semi-finals of this seasons Throgmorton Cup competition with a 4-0 win over a very spirited Exmouth town side that put in a great performance on the night. The goals came from gavin hammon 2, Darren Vicary and his first ever goal for the club Liam Drew.

Saturday 13th February 2010 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 4-1 Ivybridge Town

League leaders Buckland Athletic stretched their winning run to an impressive nine games with a 4-1 defeat of Ivybridge Town at Homers Heath. The Bucks had to come from behind to win the game and assistant manager Jamie Carwardine was delighted with his side's attitude. "All in all it was a very good three points, especially after going 1-0 down but the lads didn't panic and it's a sign of a good team that they have the confidence to keep playing football. "It was not until after Ivybridge had scored that we started playing some fantastic football with good passing and movement," explained Carwardine. The Bucks assistant manager also had words of praise for his central defensive pair saying: "Luke Horrocks and Ben Williamson were outstanding today, as they have been all season. "Luke's come back from Loughborough University and is a real asset to the squad and he could go on to play at a higher level. Both he and Ben did a good job in restricting Ivybridge to long range efforts." It was not all praise from Carwardine who did see room for improvement, adding: "If we had had our shooting boots on then we could have scored eight or nine and that would have made life easier for us. "We travel up to Holsworthy next week with our winning streak intact but we need to re-focus particularly as their pitch can be a great leveller."
It was Ivybridge who opened the scoring, after just 10 minutes, when a long throw from Gavin Cockman resulted in Joe Truelove firing home from close range. Buckland responded well with Antony Lynch levelling three minutes later when he drilled the ball home from 18 yards after good work from Simon Revell. Despite dominating the rest of the half, the teams remained level at the break but Buckland came out strongly in the second half, duly going ahead 10 minutes in.
Danny Gaze crossed from the right for Liam Moseley to touch the ball into the path of Lynch who rifled home his second of the game. The lead was extended in the 72nd minute when Revell played the ball to overlapping right-back Liam Drew and his low cross was swept home, from 12 yards, by Gaze.The final goal arrived eight minutes from time when Gaze beat two players down the left before squaring the ball for substitute John Rimmer to stroke into the net from six yards.

Saturday 6th February 2010 South West Penisula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 2-1 Saltash United

BUCKLAND Athletic's 2-1 victory over Saltash United opened up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier Division, between themselves and reigning champions Bodmin Town, but they had to do it the hard way after coming from behind at Homers Heath. The game was originally scheduled to be played at the Ashes Kimberley Stadium, but due to the state of the pitch it was agreed to reverse the fixture. Understandably, assistant manager Jamie Carwardine was delighted with his side's ninth straight victory saying: "It's a cracking win and although we were not at our best we showed great character." Carwardine revealed "We saw Saltash in midweek and felt they were very narrow so we went with a 4-1-4-1 formation. "For whatever reason this didn't work and we had to revert to 4-4-2 in the second half, which we subsequently dominated." "The pace of the game was frantic in the second half as Saltash were chucking in bodies left, right and centre. But I think we had just a bit more quality. "We have certainly played better this season but I'm delighted with this side as we didn't panic and we kept playing football until the final whistle and got our reward." Carawardine also had kind words to say about Simon Revell, Buckland's new signing from Bovey Tracey. "Simon will be a great addition to the squad and he put in a solid performance today and we look forward to getting the best from him."

Saltash took the first half honours, deservedly taking the lead on the half-hour when Jamie Densham controlled Chris Menhinick's long ball before finishing with style. Having re-shaped their side at the break, Buckland took the game to Saltash in the second, half only to be denied repeatedly by the heroics of the Ashes defence and their goalkeeper Lee Carew. However, with 10 minutes remaining substitute Antony Lynch slotted home, after good work from Shane Gill and Gavin Hammon.Buckland pushed forward in numbers and were rewarded with a stoppage time winner when a fine left-wing cross from Danny Gaze was swept home at the far post by Gill.

Saturday 30th January 2010 South West Penisula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 3-0 Wadebridge Town

PREMIER leaders Buckland Athletic chalked up their seventh straight league win by defeating Wadebridge Town 3-0 at Homers Heath. Despite the comfortable-looking scoreline, Buckland assistant manager Jamie Carwardine admitted his side were some way below their best. "We made hard work of it," said Carwardine. "Three-nil looks good but I am slightly disappointed with the players' performance and attitude. "Our 2-0 half-time lead really flattered us and the third goal proved crucial." m Carwardine added that for Buckland to win the Premier Division this term the players have to show more commitment. "it is important we get across to the players they can't pick and choose their games," said Carwardine. "If you want to be champions then you have to turn up week in and week out."

Wadebridge came out strongly and it was slightly against the run of play that the Bucks took a 25th minute lead. In an excellent move Liam Moseley played in Gavin Hammon, down the right, and his cross was swept into the net by John Rimmer. The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Moseley latched on to Mark Young's through ball to neatly slot the ball into the net. There was no doubt that Buckland were fortunate to be two goals in front at the break, but it is the sign of a good side that they can pick up points when they are not at their best. The Bucks then put the game to bed with a third goal two minutes into the second half which came courtesy of a truly stunning 25 yard volley from Hammon. That goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors and Buckland could have added to their score late on but that would have been harsh on their spirited opponents.

Saturday 23rd January 2010 South West Penisula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 3-1 Penzance

BUCKLAND Athletic sit proudly on top of the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Premier Division after their impressive 3-1 victory over Penzance at Homers Heath on Saturday. The win was Buckland's seventh successive league victory, and followed a three-week break enforced by the poor weather. "It's a fantastic position to be in and it sends out a message and puts pressure on the sides below us," said Bucks manager Phil Bayliss. "There's a long way to go yet, but you can't deny that for the first half of the season we have deserved it."

The Bucks came out strongly to dominate the first half in terms of possession and chances, but their only goal in this period came in the 25th minute when Luke Horrocks held off the attentions of several visiting defenders to head home Darren Vicary's corner. With their legs tiring, Buckland were thankful of their second goal in the 75th minute, when substitute Mike Turner was alert enough to nip in between the Penzance goalkeeper and his defence to fire home from 18 yards.
Sam Cooper pulled a goal back for the Cornish side, five minutes from time, but victory was sealed in the final minute when Turner grabbed his second of the game. His fellow substitute Mark Young put in a fine cross from the left and Turner was able to powerfully head the ball into the net from close range and signal Buckland's arrival in pole position.

Tuesday 19th January 2010 South West Penisula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 0-3 Plymouth Argyle

PLYMOUTH Argyle's youngsters claimed a place in the quarter-finals of the Westinsure Devon St Luke's Cup after this entertaining victory at Homers Heath. Outcast senior striker Steve MacLean was prominent in the Pilgrims early attacks linking well with fellow front man Liam Head and lively wingers Jake Baker and Luke Young. High-flying South West Peninsula League Premier Division side Buckland provided a stern test for the predominantly youthful visitors but it was Argyle who were to take a 35th minute lead. MacLean and midfielder Sean Kinsella combined to send Head racing through the middle and the former England under-17 international placed a 20-yard cross-shot perfectly inside the far post. The immaculate playing surface was ideally suited to the Pilgrims passing style of play and MacLean doubled their advantage with a well-worked goal four minutes later. Head ran on to a good pass from left-back Connor Clifford and squared the ball for MacLean to side-foot into the net from close range. Despite the cultured prompting of MacLean, Argyle found the going tougher in the second half, against their older and stronger opponents, Goalkeeper Lloyd Saxton, playing his first game for five months following a wrist operation, saved well from home striker Michael Turner. However, he was well beaten in the 65th minute by a looping header from Buckland striker John Rimmer. Argyle restored their two-goal lead five minutes later when Clifford set up Young to score with a spectacular 25 yard drive.The Pilgrims were reduced to 10 men for the closing 15 minutes when, with Argyle already having introduced their three substitutes, central defender Curtis Nelson left the field with a groin injury but the Greens comfortably held on until the final whistle.

Saturday 16th January 2010 South West Penisula League Premier Division

St Blazey 2-3 Buckland Athletic

BUCKLAND Athletic assistant manager Jamie Carwardine was elated after his side moved within a point of leaders Bodmin, with a game in hand, after a hugely impressive 3-2 victory at fellow title-chasers St Blazey. "It's a great win," beamed Carwardine. "We're up to second now, which is a great position to be in but there's still a long way to go." In a terrific first-half display, Buckland struck twice with both goals coming from the outstanding Danny Gaze who showed his versatility by netting from distance with first his right foot and then his left. Saturday's win completed the double over the Cornish side, after a 3-1 win at Homers Heath in October, and this is a good indicator of how far the Bucks have come. "We've collected six points against a very good side," said a satisfied Carwardine. "We're proud of what we have achieved so far this season but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves."

Buckland dominated the first half, opening the scoring in the 33rd minute when Gaze surged through the Blazey midfield before unleashing a fierce shot into the top corner of the net from fully 30 yards. Gaze struck again six minutes later when he curled home a left-footed free-kick from 25 yards that once again left Blackler groping thin air. The Cornish side took the game to Buckland in the second half, but Buckland held firm before shaking the home crowd with a third goal 14 minutes from time. Substitute John Rimmer capitalised on a defensive mix-up between keeper Tom Blackler and defender Lewis Russell to roll the ball into the empty net. Blazey again threw everything forward and they finally struck, five minutes from time, through John Hoyles.
The game was in stoppage time when Blazey striker Chris Reski was tripped in the area before converting the resultant penalty himself, but there was not enough time for the home side to attempt to force an equaliser.

Blazey player-manager Glynn Hooper was not despondent, though. He said: "I'm delighted with the performance against, without doubt, one of the strongest sides in the league. "We competed over the whole 90 minutes and, when you consider the average age of the side was only 20, I felt we scared them, hence their reaction at the end of the match of winning a big game." Hooper was quick to dismiss the outside pressure that has been put on his squad concerning their title challenge. He said: "Everyone has put us in the frame to win the league and the only people that have stood outside of that are the ones within the club who know exactly where we are at the moment." But he did admit: "It's just a pleasure to be put in the same sentence as the Bodmins, Bucklands, Saltashes and Falmouths of this league."

Tuesday 15th December 2009 Throgmorton Cup

Launceston 0-5 Buckland Athletice

Saturday 12th December 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Tavistock 2-4 Buckland Athletic

BUCKLAND Athletic underlined their title credentials with a notable 4-2 victory at Langsford Park over third-placed Tavistock. The Bucks have defeated reigning champions Bodmin, as well as highly fancied St Blazey and Plymouth Parkway this season, and this latest victory now means they have beaten all three sides above them in the table. Saturday's victory was also Buckland's third in a row, in all competitions, and in these three matches alone they have netted 14 goals. They dominated Tavistock from the start, taking a fifth-minute lead when Antony Lynch curled home a 20-yard free-kick awarded for a foul on Mike Turner. The lead was doubled in the 36th minute when Gavin Hammon fired into the far corner of the net to complete the first half scoring.

The second half saw Buckland still pressing forward and they were rewarded with a penalty seven minutes in when Tavvy's Will Stringer upended Turner in the area. However, Lynch's spot-kick was saved by home goalkeeper Andy Meeds. Buckland suffered another set-back when Matty David headed the hosts back into the game. This did not prove too significant as Turner rifled home from close range in the 72nd minute to restore Buckland's two goal cushion. Again the home side pulled a goal back as Shane Krac's pile-driver made it 3-2, with two minutes to go.
In the third minute of stoppage time the hosts had a corner from which David almost headed home at the far post. But an equaliser would have been harsh on Buckland who broke upfield from the resultant clearance to seal victory courtesy of substitute John Rimmer's lob.

Wednesday 2nd December 2009 Devon St Lukes Bowl 1st Round

Buckland Athletic 6-0 Elburton Villa

Villa missed out on a second round tie against Plymouth Argyle as lack of match practice showed in the second half of this tie at Homers Heath. Elburton started the tie well enough and it was against the run-of-play that that Gavin Hammon fired low past Simon May to give his side an 11th minute lead. Liam Moseley came close to doubling that lead when his shot came back off May's post but Villa hit back with Jamie Evans and Chris Head both going close to equalising. Ross Saint came within a whisker of opening his Villa account before May pulled off a fine save to keep out Young's fierce drive. The second half was one-way traffice with Hammon notching his second of the game before setting up Antony Lynch to fire home their third.Mike Turner tapped home the Buck's fourth before two goals, in the final 10 minutes, from substitute John Rimmer completed the scoring and ensured Buckland a home tie against the Pilgrims.

Friday 20th November 2009 South Wet Peninsula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 4-1 Dartmouth

A Hat-trick from striker Gavin Hammon helped Buckland Athletic return to winning ways on Friday evening with a 4-1 derby victory over Dartmouth. High-flying Bucks had lost at Launceston on their previous outing, but victory saw them in sixth place in the table, four points behind leaders St Blazey with games in hand on the sides above. By contrast, the Darts lie fourth from bottom in the table and yet they more then matched their hosts in the first half as Buckland manager Phil Bayliss admitted. "I thought we were woeful in the first half and I honestly have not seen us play so badly this season," said Bayliss. "I warned the players before the game that Dartmouth had nothing to lose and obviously they didn't listen to me. "I went absolutely ballistic during the interval, but it got the desired effect as the game was practically won inside the first five minutes of the second half." Bayliss added: "I said to the guys after the game that we cannot pick and chose our moments to play. "We know that there is more pressure on us because of our league position but we have a good enough squad to be able to deal with that." Dartmouth's performance gave joint-manager Jamie Bennellick consolation in defeat. "We matched a side expected to be in the mix at the end of the season," said Bennellick. "We passed the ball really well in the first half and Buckland could consider themselves lucky to have gone in at the break level. "The worst thing that happened for us was the half-time break as they scored two quick goals straight afterwards but even then neither of them were good goals – it was just a case of us being naive. "We have a young side and as soon as those two goals went in their heads dropped but this was a learning curve for us." Bennellick took a positive from the game when he explained: "We are not a million miles away from being a decent side so it's time to move on with a game against Parkway on Tuesday."

The first half saw Dartmouth in the ascendancy and they thought they had gone ahead in the eighth minute when Tom Comyn's header was ruled out for offside. As is often the case when a side is down near the bottom of the table, the Darts found themselves a goal down on the half-hour, albeit in fortuitous circumstances, as Hammon's 12-yard shot deflected off Darts' defender Kevin Causley and past wrong-footed goalkeeper Nathan Murphy. The visitors came back, deservedly equalising just before the break when Luke Brown tucked the ball away after Phil Hardee's shot had been parried by Buckland goalkeeper James Wannell. For the Darts, this was as good as it got as Buckland showed their quality after the break to effectively secure the win with two goals within the first five minutes. The first, in the 47th minute, saw Hammon's drive deflected past Murphy and moments later he completed his hat-trick with an excellent low shot from distance.The scoring was completed in the 65th minute when Hammon's strike partner Antony Lynch was brought down in the box by a combination of Murphy and Steve Weekes for a penalty that he duly dispatched himself.

Tuesday 17th November 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Dvision

Launceston 2-1 Buckland Atheltic

The Clarets bounced back from their first defeat in six games by coming from behind at Pennygillam to beat a highly-fancied Bucks outfit on Tuesday evening.. Buckland were the first to show with Matt Beer curling his 20 yard free-kick around the Clarets defensive wall and into the top corner of a static Paul Hider's goal. The home side were level on 35 minutes when Sam Scott's cross found Dominic Richardson powerfully heading past Neil Montandon at the far post. It was not until two minutes from time that Launceston found a winner as Richardson drove the ball home, low, from the edge of the area and into the bottom corner of Montandon's goal.

Saturday 7th November 2009 South West Peninsula league Premier Division

Wadebridge Town 1-3 Buckland Athletic

Buckland Athletic travelled home from Cornish strugglers Wadebridge Town with a comfortable 3-1 victory that lifts them up to sixth in the Premier Division table with games in hand over those above them. "It was a very good and ugly three points," said assistant manager Jamie Carwardine. "It's all very well us winning against sides like St Blazey and Bodmin Town but it's against the lesser sides that you need to pick up points if you are to challenge for the title. "Last season we drew at Wadebridge so to go down there in difficult conditions and win is a very good sign."

A superb left-wing cross from Shane Gill picked out Liam Moseley to score an eighth-minute lead. The game's decisive moment came in the 25th minute when Moseley played in left-back Gill but his run into the penalty area was halted, illegally, by defender Adam Cudmore. Cudmore was duly dismissed for a professional foul and Antony Lynch sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot. The home side rallied briefly after the break to pull a goal back in the 55th minute through Josh Insley's header, but Buckland were always in control and they made the points safe 10 minutes later when Moseley latched onto a through ball from Darren Vicary to score at the second attempt.

Saturday 24th October 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 3-1 St Blazey

Buckland got back to winning ways, after last Weeks defeat against Ivybridge, when they recorded a 3-1 home win over League Leaders St Blazey. This was St Blazey second defeat in the league this season, and Buck's stopped their unbeaten run of eight games, which included them winning the last five games. Antony Lynch fored a hat-trick, but St Blazey did have some chances and played some very good football during the 90 minutes.

Buckland Athletic had the ideal cure for last week's defeat at Ivybridge as they returned to winning ways with a brilliant 3-1 victory over Premier Division leaders St Blazey at Homers Heath. The Bucks are making a habit of putting league leaders in their place as just two weeks ago they hammered champions Bodmin Town 5-0 at Homers. On this occasion they had their own champion in Anthony Lynch who scored an outstanding hat-trick. "It was a not a pretty game but the bottom line is three points," explained Buckland assistant manager Jamie Carwardine after the game. "We played some good football at times although we didn't achieve the heights we did against Bodmin. "However, I'm very pleased with the character we showed after last week's defeat and this is a sign of a good team."

Lynch netted the game's opener in the fifth minute when he expertly volleyed home Danny Gaze's fine left-wing cross from eight yards to complete a sweeping team move that had began with Darren Vicary and Marc Revell linking up well in midfield. The lead was doubled, midway through the half, when an excellent long ball from Mark Young was controlled by Lynch's brilliant first touch before he finished in his usual clinical style. Blazey rallied briefly, early in the second half, but Buckland scored again, 20 minutes from time, when Liam Drew and Vicary played in Gavin Hammon. The young striker's pace took him into the box where he was hauled down for a clear penalty.Lynch stepped up to complete his treble from the spot with the only further incident of note coming in the final minute when Lewis Russell headed home a late consolation for Blazey.

Preview: St Blazey come here today top of the league table with 25 points from their 10 games, and they have lost just once this season in their league campaign. In the summer they let there then manager Bobby Oaten go and replaced him with one of their former players who was assistant manager at Penzance last season Glynn Hooper. This has certainly paid dividend’s so far this season with the form that they are showing at the present time.

They are currently on an eight match unbeaten run and have won their last five consecutive games, and are very much the form side in the Premier Division at the present time, and they thoroughly deserve to be top of the table now. They are unbeaten at home playing five games, winning four and drawing one, they have won their last three consecutive games at Blaise Park. Away from home they have dropped just three points from their five games, and have again won their last three consecutive games on their travels. They are the top scorers in the Premier Division at the present time with 31 and they have the meanest defence having conceded just nine league goals in those ten games. Their top league goalscorers are both Chris Reski and Danny Zallick who have five goals each, with John Hoyles on four, and there have been nine other goalscorers in their league games this season. Their lowest league position they have occupied this season was eighth and the highest is of course first place.

Saturday 17th October 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Ivybridge Town 3-2 Buckland Athletic

Buckland Athletic came back to earth, after last week's hammering of reigning champions Bodmin Town, as they went down 3-2 at Ivybridge Town. "It was a case of after the lord mayor's show," said Bucks manager Phil Bayliss."We didn't reach the standards of the last two games and possibly the players believed the hype and thought they only had to turn up to win," he added.
The game had a rather disjointed feel to it following a hold up of almost an hour after Ivybridge midfielder Ben Anniss suffered a badly broken leg towards the end of the first half. "I think the timing of the injury went against us as we were just beginning to hit our stride, but take nothing away from Ivybridge because they played well and we didn't," explained the Buckland boss. Despite the defeat, Bayliss was not too downhearted after the game and took some positives from it. "It was maybe a good time to lose because it will bring the players down to earth and I think our biggest enemy is complacency," he said. "There's nothing won in October and we need to remember that we have only lost three games all year so we are a still a very good side."

Buckland did not get off to the greatest of starts as the home side took the lead in the 10th minute when Anniss fired home from the left-hand side of the penalty area. The Bucks levelled in the 42nd minute when Mark Young ran onto Antony Lynch's neat flick to slot the ball coolly into the net. Within a minute, Ivybridge goalscorer Anniss was injured and the game was held up. Buckland went ahead seven minutes into the second half when Young again showed great composure before firing low into the net for his second of the game. Two minutes later the home side were back on terms when Andy Widdecombe's 25-yard drive deflected into the net. Bayliss's side suffered a further set back shortly before the hour mark when striker John Rimmer went in late on home goalkeeper Terry Pelley and was duly sent off for the incident. After another delay Pelley was forced off with his injury to be replaced by striker Jamie Middleton, who dealt well with anything that came his way. At the other end of the pitch the home side secured the points when they got their third goal in the 70th minute. A harmless looking ball into the box was left by defender Liam Drew and goalkeeper Neil Montandon, allowing Bridgers' striker Ryan McClements to nip in between them and head home the winner.

Tuesday 13th October 2009 Throgmorton Cup 2nd Round

Buckland Athletic 8-0 Budleigh Salterton

Buckland Athletic stormed into the last 16 of the Throgmorton cup, with a fantastic 8-0 scoreline against east division side Budleigh Salterton.

Buckland made 7 changes from the starting line up against Bodmin Town, only Marc Revell, Luke Horrocks, Liam Drew and Danny Gaze were lining up for the start of the match with fringe players and 2 Reserve players making the starting line up. Liam Drew captained the side in Ben Williamson's absence.

Buckland were 2 goals up in the 1st five minutes and were 6 up at half time as Buckland carried on from there previous performance. Naturally the tempo dropped in the second half and only 2 further goals were scored. Budleigh Salterton played well and deserved a few goals of their own. They played well for the whole of the 90 minutes.

Saturday 10th October South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 5-0 Bodmin Town

Buckland Athletic achieved the season's most outstanding result to date as they hammered reigning champions Bodmin Town 5-0 at Homers Heath. The win comes on the back of the news that manager Phil Bayliss will be standing down at the end of the season and his assistant Jamie Carwardine is confident that their side can now go on and win some silverware by the time of his departure. "There's a long way to go, and you don't win anything in October but I believe we can win the league," admitted Carwardine. "We played some exceptionally good football and maybe we've put the cat amongst the pigeons and shown that Bodmin are beatable," he added. Bodmin have won the last two league titles but the Bucks have now shown that their own title credentials are genuine as Carwardine explained. This win has given us belief and if that is channelled correctly, in my experience you will prevail." Despite being 2-0 up at the break, the Bucks assistant manager admitted that he felt his side had under-performed. "We were poor in the first-half and we gave the players a half-time rollicking as had Bodmin pulled a goal back early in the second half then they may have gone on to win but we got the crucial third and fully deserved the final scoreline." Carwardine went on to add: "We need to repeat this performance week in and week out because there's still a long way to go and we've got to keep our feet on the ground and focus on our next game which is another big one at Ivybridge."

Despite Bodmin's lively opening, the Bucks broke the deadlock in the 25th minute. Substitute Mark Young firing home minutes after replacing the injured Gavin Hammon. Antony Lynch's well-taken effort, in first half stoppage time, doubled the lead to give Bucks a cushion at the break. If they had been a touch fortunate in the first half there was no doubting the better side in the second as Bucks extended their advantage 10 minutes in. A good team move resulted in the impressive John Rimmer crashing the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards. The visitors began to lose their heads resulting in Nick Campbell being sent off for dissent and they suffered further woe in the 70th minute when Lynch and Darren Vicary combined to set up Reece Moseley for the fourth goal. Buckland completed the scoring 10 minutes from time when Young easily skipped around Bodmin goalkeeper Kevin Miller before slotting home his second of the game.The visiting custodian's frustration spilled over as he too was shown the red card, again for dissent, in the dying minutes.

Saturday 26th September 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Bodmin Town 2-2 Buckland Athletic

Buckland are in 8th place in the league and they managed to gain their first point st Priory Park against reigning Champions Bodmin Town in three meetings, having lost the previous two league meetings at that ground. Buckland opened the scoring in the 19th minute, when Shane Gill's through ball found Antony Lynch, who forced the ball home after his initial effort had been blocked by Bodmin's keeper big Kevin Miller. That lead didn't last long as Bodmin swept forward and leveled the game in the 28th minute when Mark Berry finished off a good team move. They took the lead five minutes later when it was Berry again who finished clinically. Buck;'s responded well and leveled the game again eight minutes before the break when a great through ball from marc Revell released Buck's top scorer Gavin hammon who ran on to score with aplomb. It was nearly all Buckland in the second period but not for the first time this season's Kevin Miller was in fine form for Bodmin, saving well to deny both Mark Young and Darren Vickery, with Lynch also hitting the crossbar. So a lot of positives from this game for the management to work with, and next week the lads have a break before they entertain Bodmin Town again at Homers Heath on Saturday 10th October with a 3pm kick off.

After yesterday's Throgmorton Cup 1st Round tie between Bickleigh and Budleigh Salterton at Happy Meadows ended in a 3-1 extra time win for Budleigh, they will be the visitors to Homers Heath in the 2nd Round of this cup competition on Tuesday 20th October with a 7.15pm kick off.

Buckland Athletic 2-4 Saltash United aet

Buckland Athletic went out of the FA Vase at their first time of asking to fellow SWPL Premier Division Saltash United in their first ever home Vase game at Homers Heath. Buck's took the lead in the sixth minute when a cross from Mark Young eluded everyone in the Saltash six yard box and Gavin Hammon headed home at the far post from an acute angle. The visitors leveled just four minutes later when the prolific Chris Wright fired home after a defensive mix up. Saltash then took a 2-1 lead when Martyn Sullivan's cross from the right went over everyone and nestled in the far corner of Neil Montandon's net. Buck's were back level seven minutes later when Gavin Hammon pounced on a mix up between Griffiths in the Saltash goal and a central defender leaving the Buck's striker free to run in on goal. The second half remained goalless, but Buck's did have the visitors on the ropes for the first twenty minutes of that half but couldn't score from a number of chances they created. The first period of extra time was just five minutes old when Sullivan's corner flew straightt into the Buck's net. And the visitors sealed the victory when Wright dribbled past two Bucks defenders before firing home. It is back to league action now for Buck's when they travel to reigning champions and undefeated in the league season, Bodmin Town on Saturday 26th September. This will be another tough game for the Buck's as Bodmin have won all six league games they have played this season.

Buckland Athletic take on fellow SWPL Premier Division Saltash United at Homers Heath on Saturday. Saltash Have had a good start to the season in the league where they have won all three of their league games this season. They have been touted as one of the favourites to claim their first South West Peninsula League Premier Division title this season, and with the start they have made you couldn’t bet against them. They started their season with a difficult away game at Erme Valley against last season’s fourth placed club Ivybridge Town (who lost only twice at home last season in their league campaign), but the Ashe’s were to good for the Ivy’s that day winning the game 5-2 with last season’s golden boot winner Chris Wright netting a hat-trick and Carlton Farnham getting a brace. They followed that up with another away game this time at Bolitho Park against last season’s runners-up Plymouth Parkway, the Ashe’s won this game 1-0, but the score could have been a lot more but for the heroics of the Parkway keeper, A Marc Thorne penalty was enough for them to claim the three points. Then on 25th August they played their first home game of the season, against Dartmouth and ran out 4-2 winners, having built up a 4-0, they let’s the Dart’s back in but then the visitors had two men red carded, Danny Lewis, Chris Wright, John Heveran, Daley Simpson scored the Ashe’s goals in this game.

That was their last league game as they have been heavily involved in the FA Cup and have also played one tie in this season’s FA Vase. To get to this game in the Vase today, Saltash beat our new friends Hamworthy United 2-0 away in Poole in the Extra Preliminary Round. But it has been the FA Cup that has kept the Ashe’s busy and away from league action. In the Extra Preliminary Round they entertained Western League Division One side Chard Town and won that game easily 6-2. In the Preliminary Round they had to travel to another Western League side this time from the Premier Division, Larkhall Athletic and won again 2-0. In the 1st Qualifying Round they had a home tie against Western League Division One high flyers Gillingham Town and that game ended 1-1 at the Kimberley Stadium and the replay last Tuesday evening was an extraordinary game, but the Ashe’s suffered defeat when they were beaten 6-5 after extra time.

|Buckland go into the game undefeated in their last four league games, winning the last two. They Have scored 18 in those four games whilst they have conceded just 5, Gavin Hammon has found the net on eight occasion's in just two of those games. Buck's have lost Paul Froude who has joined Dartmouth, the midfielder just wanted to play and couldn't be guaranteed that at Buckland.

Friday 11th September 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Plymouth Parkway 0-2 Buckland Athletic

Buckland Athletic climb to the top of the Premier Division table when they travelled to Plymoutrh Parkway and came away with all three points, winning 2-0. A goal in each half was good tyo achieve the win, the first coming from John Rimmer and the second from Shane Gill. They will only remain in top spot for just under 24 hours, when the league programme finishes on Saturday evening there are a number of clubs that can climb above us if they get the right results. match report to follow..

PREVIEW

Buckland Athletic travel to Plymouth parkway's Bolitho Park on Friday evening for a Premier Division fixture. Parkway are currently in 6th place in the league table having played six league games, winning three, drawing one and losing two and are one point behind Buckland who are currently in 3rd place. They won their first two league games 4-1, the first away at Torpoint, with Arron and Matt Cusack, Andy Sargent and Simon Parnell on target. Next they beat Launceston at home with Andy Sargent getting their first hat-trick of the season and Josh Fenwick the other. An entertaining 3-3 draw away at Penzance followed with again Andy Sargent getting all three in this game. Two consecutive defeats followed, 1-0 at home to Saltash United and 3-0 away at St Blazey, but they won last Saturday 3-1 at home to Falmouth Town, John Morris with 2 and Paul Baker with the other goal. They have lost both John Heveran and last season's golden boot winner Chris Wright to Saltash, Jamie Morrison-Hill to Elburton, Callum Martindale to Torpoint and finally Stuart Berry to Plymstock United. In have come Kevin Mee from Liskeard, John Morris (Bodmin) and Josh Fenwich from Elburton. Andy Sargent has already scored seven league goals this season.

Buck's go into this game on a three match unbeaten run, having beatenTtavistock at the Heath 5-1, in which Gavin hammon scored all five. This feat equaled by just two more players in 1st team history, Phil Bayliss in a 7-0 win over Clyst Valley when we were in the Devon and Exeter League Premier Division and then by Gary Fisher who netted five against Buckfastleigh when we won 10-1 at Homers Lane in the Devon County League. A 3-3 draw away at Witheridge came next before last Saturday thrashing of Torpoint Athletic at The Mill in which Gavin Hammon scored his second hat-trick of the season. This will be another stern test for the lads but lets hope they can continue their good form of late.

Buckland Athletic 1st team will now take on Saltash United in the 2nd Qualifying Round of this season's FA Vase cup competition at Homers Heath on Saturday 19th September with a 3pm kick off. Saltash United made it through to face ourselves when they beat our conquerers in the FA Cup Hamworthy United 2-0 at County Ground in Poole.

Saturday 5th September 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Torpoint Athletic 1-8 Buckland Athletic

Buckland Athletic climbed up to 3rd in the league table when they recorded their biggest win in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division when they trashed Torpoint Athletic 8 (eight) -1 at the Mill on Saturday. Previous to this game, Torpoint had only conceded eight league goals on six games, but by the end of the ninety minutes on Saturday that total had doubled when Buck's went goal crazy in the second half.

Gavin Hammon gave Buck's an early lead inside the fourth minute when he swept home John Rimmer's cross. Torpoint hit back in the 11th minute when they drew level when Ryan Lucassi scored. Marc Revell restored the Buck's lead with a header seven minutes before the break. But the Buck's put in a scintillating second half performance and scored six goals without reply. Three minutes into the second half Darren Vickery scored from Antony Lynch's cross and just seven minutes later Shane Gill netted the fourth with a fine solo effort from the half way line. In the 6oth minute Hammon slotted home his second after good work from the influential Vickery. Substitute Matt Beer then netted our sixth goal and hammon completed his second hat-trick of this campaign just two minutes later, when he ran from inside his own half before rifling home. The scoring was completed when two more substitutes combined, Mike Turner sweeping in a cross from Paul Froude, leaving the Torpoint side rather shell shocked.

This was a great team performance, in which all 14 players played their part in this game, and they will have to take this form into their next game which is away at 6th placed Plymouth Parkway this coming Friday 11th September, and hope they can continue this unbeaten run of three matches.

Monday 31st August 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Witheridge 3-3 Buckland Athletic

An equaliser deep in stoppage time from Witheridge striker Steve Ebdy denied Buckland Athletic all three points in Bank Holiday Monday's Peninsula League Premier floodlit match. The Bucks had to visit Crediton's Lords Meadow for the fixture as Witheridge's pitch at Edge Down Park is still not ready for use. But a crowd of more than 130 were at the neutral venue to witness an entertaining 3-3 draw.

The game began in explosive fashion with the Bucks taking a second-minute lead when goalkeeper Chris Wright dropped Antony Lynch's header for John Rimmer to gleefully smash the loose ball into the roof of the net. It should have been 2-0 four minutes later but Gavin Hammon, a five-goal hero on Saturday, somehow failed to force the ball into an empty net after a superb passage of play by Lynch. Buckland were made to pay for that miss as a very good Witheridge side hit back to find themselves two goals up by the 15th minute. Richard Groom's superb 25-yard dipping volley and Richard Lamacraft's low, but vicious, 18-yard angled drive both ended up in Neil Montandon's net. Monty then fumbled another Lamacraft effort around his post and, from the resultant corner, Lady Luck smiled on the Bucks as Darren Vicary's misplaced header came back off his own crossbar. Vicary then returned to what he is best at, as his fine pass found Danny Gaze teasing the Withy full-back before driving his shot low inside Wright's near post from eight yards. The impressive Lynch then saw his shot cleared off the line by Steve Avery before Matt Dawson cut in from the right only to see his shot crash back off Montandon's crossbar as the action came thick and fast.

The game continued to be played at a frenetic pace after the break but, without as many goals, as Buckland took up the running. Hammon had already gone close before Avery's brave tackle – he injured his ankle as a result – prevented Lynch giving Bucks the lead. When the game resumed it was Buckland who were celebrating and in particular substitute Mike Turner who, in his first action of the game, ran at the Withy defence before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard drive that flew into the top corner of Wright's goal. Witheridge threw caution to the wind and it was Buckland's turn to defend with Montandon making a fine one-handed save from Lamacraft.
But Monty was left helplessly exposed, deep into stoppage time, as substitute Ebdy was left to head home from close range and set the seal on a good advert for Peninsula League football.

Saturday 29th August 2009 South West Peninsula League Premier Division

Buckland Athletic 5-1 Tavistock AFC

Buckland turned in a five star display, with Gavin Hammon on fire in front of goal to bag all five. Buck's took the lead in the 20th minute, when Hammon latched onto Antony's Lynch's pass before slotting the ball past the Lamb's keeper Andy Meeds. Just five minutes, the impressive Lynch, working tirelessly up front with star man Hammon, flicked the ball for Hammon to score his second. He completed his hat-trick just before the break when he swept home Shane Gill's right-wing cross at the far post. Buck's did lose Liam Drew early on and he was replaced by Matt Beer with Gill slotting into Drew's full back berth.

Buck's continued to dominate in the second half and ten minutes in, Matt Beer played in Lynch whose cross was steered home from close range for Hammon's fourth. It was five on the hour when Darren Vickery played a cute through ball for Hammon to latch onto and he out paced the Tavvy back line to neatly slip the ball past Meeds. Tavistock did get a late consolation in the 85th minute when Shane Krac pounced on a loose in midfield to play in Adam Carter who fired past Neil Montandon in the Buck's goal, with Montandon furious that they failed to keep a clean sheet.

"Today was all about Gavin's composure in front of goal and our final third quality which has been lacking in recent weeks," explained Bucks assistant manager Jamie Carwardine. "Gavin took his chances really well but his strike partner Antony Lynch was excellent in the build-up play and his quality and experience was a big factor. "Our two centre-halves, Ben Williamson and Ben Hamilton, where also outstanding and overall it was a very good team performance. "Gavin's movement, pace and composure were excellent today and he's set the standard that we need to see week in and week out."

This was a great all round team performance, and the first time this season that the Buck's had taken many of the chances created in a game. Next up is Witheridge on Monday 31st August at Crediton United ground.

Saturday 22nd August 2009 South West Peninsula League Premeir Division

Penzance 3-0 Buckland Athletic

Buckland Athletic's joint-manager Jamie Carwardine was left unhappy at the performance of the officials as his side went down 3-0 at Penlee Park to Premier new boys Penzance. Carwardine was particularly incensed at the decisions to award the home side a free-kick that lead to the opening goal in the 16th minute, and the penalty they were subsequently awarded eight minutes before half-time. "These decisions cost us the game but we have nothing to panic about," he said. "We controlled long periods of the game but were not clinical enough in the final third. "We should have won but the challenge is now to bounce back strongly next week."

The Bucks started the game brightly with Matt Beer's fifth-minute shot crashing against the post and rebounding to safety. However, the opening goal went the way of the Cornish hosts when they were awarded that 16th minute free-kick that was crashed home by Jonny Ludlam. The Bucks had felt that the free-kick should have gone their way but there was no denying the quality of Ludlam's shot which was added to in the 37th minute when Mark Vercesi scored a hotly-disputed penalty after Danny Gaze was adjudged to have fouled James Miller when he was attempting to clear the ball.

Carwardine's side put these setbacks behind them after the break as they took the game to Penzance with Beer once again denied by the woodwork while Luke Crowson was thwarted by a brilliant save from Magpies goalkeeper Andy Butcher. Having failed to capitalise on their dominance, Buckland fell further behind in the 64th minute when Andy Westgarth netted from close range for the hosts. Buckland continued to press forward but their luck was typified seven minutes from time when Gavin Hammon headed home only for the assistant referee to rule his effort out for offside.

Wednesday 19th August FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay Hamworthy United 3-2 Buckland Athletic

Buckland Athletic are out of this season's FA Cup competition after losing the replay at Hamworthy United 3-2 last night. Buck's took a 1-0 first half lead through John Rimmer whose spot kick was saved by the keeper but Rimmer fired in the re-bound. But Hamworthy struck back twice early in the second half and took a 2-1 lead. Late on after a fine cross from darren Vicary, Marc Revell scored to make in 2--2 but back once again came Hamworthy and made it 3-2 with minutes left to play and they held on despite big pressure from Bucks in the dying minutes. So it's Hamworthy who will host Frome Town on the 29th August. Buck's took in excess of 50 supporters to the County Ground in Poole and the official attendance was a 129. We would like to thank all those that made teh journey to Poole.

So now it's back to League action for Buck's when they travell to newly promoted Penzance on Saturday 22nd August again we are hoping that a good following will make the journey to Penlee Park for our first visit there as again the train will take the strain of the travelling support and players. Penzance were promoted to the Premier Division this season after winning Division One West last season, and so far have played two league games, winning away at Liskeard Athletic 3-2, with Sam Cooper getting 2 and John Lublam getting the other. They followed that result up with a 3-3 draw against a strong Plymouth Parkway side in theirs first game of the season, again Cooper was on target with one of the goals and John Lublam got the other two. So the lads will need to be on top of their game if they want to continue their unbeaten league start to the season. Buckland are now currently in 7th place while Penzance are two places above the Yellows in fifth place.

Saturday 15th August 2009 FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Buckland Athletic 1-1 Hamworthy United

Buck's came from behind to earn a replay at Hamworthy on Wednesday evening after the game ended 1-1, substitute Shane Gill getting the all important equaliser on this great day in the club history.

Buckland came close to going behind in the first five minutes, a harmless ball played in from the left wing, saw the defender fail to do anything and the keeper came rushing out to the edge of his box. The Hamworthy forward got to the lose ball on the edge of the box, but his lob went over he bar.

Buckland were playing some great balls into space on the left hand side and one passing move was as good as the one we had for our first goal at home last week, only it did not finish in a goal for Buckland.

Bucklands no 2 Liam Drew really impressed me at right back, while he is small and not that well built, time after time he got in important tackles and broke up Hamworthy attacks. Their forward no 9 Gary Langrish did all he could to bully the Buckland defence with his brawn figure and was on to the referee non stop protesting about every foul he thought he should have had.

Buckland were attacking the Hamworthy goal and the ball went dead and the ref ran all the way to the halfway line and showed Langrish a yellow card, for saying a bit too much.

Then Hamworthy look the lead, a ball played to the far post seemed to go in off a defenders head. To be fair Buckland did not deserve to go in at half time a goal down and to what was a sloppy goal at that. I thought the ref was very poor at times in the first half, failing to give Buckland frees kicks near their box, but giving ones to Hamworthy just after not giving what were clear free kicks to Buckland.

The second half saw Buckland go looking to get a goal back, getting the ball so many times up and into the Hamworthy box, but failing to make the killer pass, or guilty of blazing their shots over the bar. They won a few corners, but the balls were placed to near the keeper, making it easy catching practice for him. They were in danger of getting caught on the brake and one long ball pumped over the pushed up Buckland defence saw Langrish get send off.

The Buckland keeper must have had to come out of his area, as he cleared the ball to his right with a header, only for Langrish to decide he was going to take the Buckland keeper out, he was shown a second yellow, but he reacted very angrily and I thought he was close to taking a swing at the ref.

Buckland soon afterward had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out, the ball had been hooked back across the goal and was headed in, but the linesman said it had gone over the dead ball line and a goal kick was awarded.

Then came two penalty shouts, the first one saw a Buckland player right near the post of the Hamworthy goal appear to be fouled, but nothing was given, this got some of the Buckland fans shouting out just what they thought of the linesman.

The second one saw Buckland get their deserved equaliser just after it happened, a Buckland forward was running into the box and was clearly tripped in my view, while he was still down just inside the box, the ball found its was to the Buckland substitute Shane Gill. Shane is a stocky lad but he went into the box and danced around the keeper and buried the ball into the net, it was no more than Buckland deserved.

They should have won the game and saved themselves a trip next week up to Dorset for the replay, with 10 seconds left of the game, a great through ball was played to the Gavin Hammon, his pace got him past the two defenders near him and he hit such a cracking shot that had the keeper well beaten, only the ball crashed against the top of the bar and back into play.

So it is all back to Dorset on Wednesday 7.45pm kick off, and hopefully this time we can make it into the next round.

Team: Montandon, Drew, Gaze, Williamson (Capt), Symons, Hammon, Lewcock (Young), Vicary, Revell (Froude), Turner , Lynch (Gill)

Scorer: Gill

Attendance: 217

Monday 10th August 2009 Buckland Athletic 1-1 Cullompton Rangers

There is an old saying in football, that you must take your chances when you are "on top" in a game. That could most certainly be said for last night's encounter, in which Buckland had the lions share of pocession, and a bigger count on efforts on goal, but at the end of the day, goals are what matters and some how Cullompton managed to break through the Buckland rearguard, with 12 minutes left on the clock, to bring the scores level. That is how the game ended.

For Buckland, it will no doubt be a disappointment, because it was a ten fold improvement on Saturday's game against Clyst Rovers. A game in which Buckland managed to get 3 points. That's football !!!

Buckland were clearly in the mood for a decent game of football. There pocession was good, they had a good cutting edge to their game, they were at times calm and never rushed their passes. The only thing lacking was the final shot, the second goal to kill off a game.

After John Rimmer had scored in the 25th minute, a clinical and calm side footed strike from the edge of the box, you sensed in was a case of how many, the chances created were coming in abundance. Gavin Hammon, Mike Turner, John Rimmer, Simon Lewcock and Danny Gaze all had glorious chances to add to the tally but in the end, it was not to be.

Cullompton Rangers scored, which owed a lot to luck, but never the less, they rode the mis timed tackles and smiled as the mis kicked effort on goal , still managed to give them a 2nd bite of the cherry.

Buckland will naturally be disappointed, but if they continue to play like that, they will definitely win more games than they will lose !!

The attention now switches to the FA Cup !!!

Team: Montandon, Drew, Gaze, Williamson, Symons, Turner (Beer), Lewcock (bonaparte) , Vicary, Revell, Hammon, Rimmer (Crowson).

Scorer: Rimmer

Saturday 8th August Clyst Rovers 1-2 Buckland Athletic

Buckland laboured to a 2-1 win against a determined Clyst Rovers side at Waterslade Park on a very hot afternoon. Buckland fell behind in the first half but drew level just before half time through Gavin Hammon. The winner came from substitute John Rimmer on his debut for the club when he side footed home at the far post. Possibly not the best performance from Buckland but Clyst were very organised.

Team: Montandon, Drew, Young, Williamson, Symons, Gaze (Lewcock), Beer (Turner), Vicary, Revell, Hammon, Bonaparte (Rimmer).

Scorers: Hammon, Rimmer

Buckland Athletic manager Phil Bayliss was honest when he declared that his side were fortunate to secure at 2-1 victory at Waterslade Park against a Clyst Rovers side that fought for every ball."I don't think Clyst deserved to win the game but they certainly deserved something from it as we were well below par," admitted Bayliss. "We put a lot of emphasis on trying to play football and it took us at least an hour to come to terms with the conditions and begin to play the football that we are capable of."The plus side is that it was great that the team showed the character to come back from a goal down to gain three points despite not being at their best."It's the first time that we have opened a Peninsula season with a victory but to be honest there will be times when we will play much better that this and lose!"Bayliss pointed to the early second half substitutions as the turning point in the game. "We brought on Simon Lewcock, John Rimmer and Mike Turner for their debuts and all three gave us the 'fizz' that the side needed and it was great to see Rims crown his first game with the winning goal," he added.

Clyst took full advantage of the Bucks' sluggish start by taking a 20th minute lead when the visiting defence could only partially clear a right-wing cross.Jamie Chamberlain latched on to the loose ball to return it back into the box where Pete Eveleigh fired home from close range.Clyst continued to move forward but Buckland regained their composure to hit back five minutes before the break as a fine cross from Danny Gaze picked out Gavin Hammon and he supplied a clinical finish from close range.Even then Clyst had the chance to restore their lead, early in the second half, when Luke Hunt played in Chris Srdinko.The striker's shot went past goalkeeper Neil Montandon only for a covering defender to clear the ball off the line.The substitutions certainly made a difference as Buckland began to exert some pressure of their own and with just 15 minutes remaining they grabbed the goal that was to secure the points.Darren Vickery's free-kick was dummied by Mark Revell to leave John Rimmer to slam the ball home from six yards.Any thoughts Clyst had of staging a comeback took a severe knock, five minutes later, as they had Kevin Dadd sent off for a second bookable offence.

Buckland Athletic have finally been able to secure the signature of Dartmouth United's exciting attacking player, Simon Lewcock.

Interest was raised after Simon spoke of his desire to Join the Newton based club. However, this came barely days after Buckland had signed striker John Rimmer from the same club. The rules state that a period of 28 days must elapse before you can sign another player from the same club.

We have had some good dialogue with Dartmouth, and did not want to spoil a good relationship with them. Both the club and Simon were prepared to wait, although it is fair to say that Simon is now playing catch up with no match fitness over the summer.

Simon Lewcock will bring the current squad of player numbers to 18 but it is the competition for places, which brings a smile to the faces of the management team.

Buckland have seen a dramatic rise in player numbers over the last couple of seasons, bearing in mind that only several season's ago, the club made it into the new pyramid system having relied on other clubs not being interested in progression.

Since those times, Buckland Athletic have become one of the best teams in the area, with FA Cup and Vase football to look forward too !!

Monday 13th July

Manager Phil Bayliss gives a run down on his new signing's for the coming season.

John Rimmer, Mike Turner , Liam Moseley & Nick Hayman have joined Shane Gill in becoming Buckland Athletic football players for this coming season.

Shane Gill & Nick Hayman have both played for the club before this season. Both players were also together at Budleigh Salterton. Nick played in most of their season just gone, while Shane made fleeting visits to Budleigh, whenever he was down from university in Birmingham.

Liam Moseley & Mike Turner have both joined from Stoke Gabriel. Mike was a former Argyle youth player who played the last 5 games for Stoke. Mike made his debut in last Thursday's game against Torquay United and looked a very accomplished player. Liam was due to start the game on Thursday but he unfortunately dislocated his elbow in a freak training accident 2 days prior to the match. Liam will wear a light plaster cast for up to 2 weeks before the rehabilitation period kicks in. We are hopeful that we will see Liam in the yellow of Buckland before the end of August.

John Rimmer has signed from Dartmouth. John lives locally and saw Buckland Athletic as an ideal choice to continue his Peninsula Premier career. John is regarded as one of the best strikers around and is a good signing for the club.

On the downside, Tom Sercombe has left the current squad of players. An ever increasing workload, plus the soon to be arriving baby number 2 has left Tom with no choice but to put his football career on hold for a little while. We are very disappointed to have lost a player of Tom's quality, but we appreciate his honesty and his early decision would have given us enough time to hunt for his replacement. As it was, John Rimmer had signed two days before, so no need to worry on that front.

Manager Phil Bayliss is waiting on just 2 players to give him their decision's on whether they will be coming to Homers Heath, to play their football this season. We expect some answers within the next two weeks. We would like to see these players working with the rest of the squad as quickly as possible, should they decide to sign.