The season opener was a home fixture with local rivals Newick, but we were unable to start AG’s reign as Manager with a victory, going down 5-2 in an eventful game.

We were without a few of the first team squad: Karl Harrison, Richard Ambrose, Dale Mayhew and David Patrick all unavailable, while Stu Cairns and Dave Mumford were already on the treatment table. So we started the game under strength and this was evident from early on as Newick had us under pressure from the first whistle and it was not long before they went ahead after some poor defending. We continued to look uncertain at the back with Newick playing with a greater hunger and desire and we were 2-0 within twenty-five minutes. The second goal seemed to wake us up and jolt us into action as we started to play some good football and created problems for Newick. We were back in the game before halftime thanks to a great goal from Martin Penfold. Gathering the ball on the right edge of the penalty area he lobbed a shot across goal, over the keeper and into the far corner – his first goal in his first game back in the red of Buxted. In the second half we continued where we had left off the first and within 10 minutes were back on level terms. Phil Pedley unleashing a rasping left foot, yes LEFT foot, volley from the edge of the box and off the underside of the bar – Phil is already claiming that he has goal of the season wrapped up! At this time there looked like there would only be one winner - we were dominating play. However shortly after we had levelled a Newick midfielder was afforded too much room on the edge of the box, he turned and perfectly placed his shot in the bottom corner past Clive White’s outstretched arm. Instead of driving forward positively looking for a second equaliser, heads went down and we reverted to our earlier in the game. It was not too long before Newick again capitalised on some slack defending too make it 4-2, and any chance of a comeback disappeared with 20 minutes remaining when James Bonella was sent off for head butt. Newick made the extra man count as they made it 5-2 late on.

This was a disappointing start to the season, although we did play some good football either side of half time. Neil Felstein was named MOM for a solid performance in an unfamiliar position of center back.

 

 

1	Clive White
2	Dale McIvor
3	Adam Smith
4	Tim Burchett (C)
5	Martin Verrall
6	Neil Felstein
7	Kevin McDougall
8	Lee Stevens
9	Martin Penfold
10	Phil Pedley
11	James Bonella
12	Richard Ambrose
14
15
	Goal Scorers: Martin Penfold, Phil Pedley