06/24/07

A second double-header at Buxted rec. in as many weeks and things definitely went to plan for the 3rds. Meeting Heath Rangers for the third time in the league was just what the team needed after a lot of tricky games in March. The 2nds (playing at 2pm) failed to get the afternoon off to a good start for the home sides; going down 1-4 and almost certainly leaving themselves bottom of Division 5 going into the close season; even with a game to play. The 3rds however cheered the early summer crowd up with a comprehensive display and exposed the limited ability on show from the opposition.

It took only 10 minutes for 3^rd team debutante Terry Walker to open the scoring. Shane Bills, having been asked to play a withdrawn role again, had a positive effect on the game from the start and it was his strong tackle which led to the ball landing at Terry’s feet just inside the Rangers’ half. Terry wasted no time in sprinting clear and beating the ‘keeper easily. The move was repeated almost identically two minutes later; although this time it was a fine measured pass from Shane that put Terry through. The Rangers’ defence really need to look at playing a little deeper as they were undone in similar fashion by another ball over the top, this time from Jorn, that gave Mark Houkes the opportunity of getting his first goal in two months. He took it as well as Terry had taken both of his. It would have to be said though that the Heath Rangers’ ‘keeper did look somewhat reluctant to get his shorts dirty for any of the goals so far and (without taking any credit from the goal-scorers) one would have expected that a better goalie would have made a bit more effort on each occasion. There was little to report from the other end as Harper dealt comfortably with most of that which headed in his direction. Gareth and Jorn were called upon to make last-ditch clearances during the half but in reality Buxted looked extremely comfortable with a 3-goal cushion at the break. No subs at half-time.

The second half began as the first had finished with Buxted well on top. After about 10 minutes Ben Thomas made a good run down the left and his speculative shot from the edge of the box was thrown over the line by the Rangers’ ‘keeper. Ben was immediately (and reluctantly) sacrificed for Lee Turner who was itching to join in the fray. Lee had played a half for the 2^nd team earlier; but his improved fitness (following his giving up smoking earlier in the year) was not in question; and with Martin wearing the Captain’s arm-band he had nothing to distract him from enjoying the game without any pressure.

Terry completed his hat-trick within about 15 minutes of the half by heading Martin’s deep cross over the increasingly hapless-looking Heath Ranger’s goalie. After having nothing to do in this half but watch his team-mates carve him out, what would have been, his 1^st clean sheet of the season; Andy Harper managed to get himself lobbed from the kick-off following the goal. This was a real shame as he has had a far better season than some might have expected, after last year!

Terry’s 4^th and Buxted’s 6^th was a simple one as he pounced on a mis-kick by the ‘keeper. Craig, who had replaced Jorn early in the half, was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet; having a shot and a header saved during the later stages but it was Lee who put the final Buxted goal away. A decent free-kick from Gareth flapped through the ‘keeper’s hands and Lee was on hand to nod it across the line. It may have sneaked over anyway but let us not undermine Lee’s poaching qualities; which we probably don’t see enough of. Darren Barton had taken over from where Shane had left off with about half an hour to go and showed some glimpses of a player that would be a welcome asset if he were to make himself more available and reliable.

Buxted took their foot off the pedal a bit during the last 15 minutes and looked content to see the game out quietly from there on in. Everyone, that is, except for Andy Harper; who seemed intent on having the final word with a shocking fumble from a poor long-range shot to gift another goal to the visitors. He was rightly taunted by the home crowd from there on in but bore it well and left the field with his usual affable grin. Good solid performances from everyone else here but, although Pat stood out again, its difficult to argue with a 4-goal haul on your debut so the Man-of-the-Match has to go to Terry Walker.

The three points guarantee Buxted at least 9^th place in the modified table which probably mirrors where they would have ended up under the old structure. A win against the final opponents on the 21^st April would probably be enough to leave them at least where they sit at present, in 8^th.  Here’s hoping.                                                          

     Lance Ingram

Lance Ingram

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