02/18/07

2006 / 2007 Season - ITS THE CUP!!!   23/09/2006

It was clear from the kick off that Buxted were giving no respect or time for there division 7 opposition, closing down players quickly, and sticking in some hard tackling. Most of the play was pushed down the right wing in the first half, opportunities falling for Scotty snr. The away side came close in the first 10 minutes from a Scotty snr corner, which once again found a diving header from his brother, going just over the bar.

Now the home side started coming to life, with some neat passing through the back line, leaving Andy Harper clearing up more than a few one on ones. As the second half round up to a close ‘’Wheatsheaf’’ lobbed a ball over the back again leaving the keeper to bring off a splendid save, only to find the feet of another striker who was more than happy to put it in the net.

The reds went in at halftime 1-0 down, but showing some really good pieces of football, linking well with each other.

Into the second half, which for the first opening minutes Buxted held a lot of possession, using both wings to great effect with attacking crossing from both Lee Turner and Chris Scott, giving the eager Shane something to battle for. Buxted’s pressure paid off, the ball was thrown in to the opposing oppositions box and through a crowd of people and a tight angle Shane Bills fired into the back of the net.

Now the game was really on, both teams battling hard, both teams working down the sides to great affect Wheatsheaf winning numerous corners, an the marking at the back left a lot to desire, leaving men running free through the box. Buxted rode their luck a bit as chance after chance went narrowly past their posts.

Buxted threw a hopeful ball forward from the back which the ever hungry Ben Thomas chased all the way back to the centre back, who had a ‘’slight’’ mis-understanding with his goalkeeper, an he tucked the ball in the bottom corner, past the outcoming goalkeeper. Buxted were now in unfamiliar territory having the advantage.  

Wheatsheaf came out hard now, beating the offside trap more than a few times to go one on one with Andy Harper who stood his ground to make another good save to deny the home side. The division 7 side were taking their toll, with Buxted struggling with injuries and no substitutes. An it was all to clear when Wheatsheaf were played through the middle again that they should go and stick it in the bottom corner. The score now even at 2-2…

Buxted were looking a little bit leggy, but they did press the home side hard, with a few well placed passes from Andy King to the wingers, an the two centre backs giving options further up the park. The game was fought hard with both Buxted wingbacks receiving a talking to from the referee, one for explicit language and the other for ‘’yelling’’ ‘’abusive’’ language at the referee (L Turner).

The back line were caught napping again as the home side striker got the run into the box, firing off a shot which Andy Harper put round the post once again. The marking was tighter on the corner Buxted learning from previous, as the ball was met by a defensive header it rolled out the box and to the opposition who blasted it back, taking a cruel deflection and beating Harper to his left.  

Buxted heads dropped now, clearly unhappy with the bitter blow, playing out to the final whistle.

Man of the Match 

Andy Harper without his confidence and closing down then the score could have been into double figures for sure.

Ben Thomas was a close second for MOM with his non-stop running, tracking back to defend and getting forward to attack.

The Main Positives to take From the Game…

It was clear to see that Buxted had learnt well from their 2 previous games, playing their football on the ground and to feet, working both flanks to great affect.

Andy Harper…

Thanks goes out to Dougie for running the line for the thirds, saving a fine.

Formation 4-4-2