Buxted went Hickmans Lane to take on Wisdom Sports II with both teams looking for their first victory of the season. Buxted were missing their fist choice centre backs but were strengthen by the return of skipper Neil Felstein and last seasons player of the year, Chris Vincent, who was playing his first match of the year.

Gavin Horne had to be alert from the off as Buxted were opened up inside the first minute; thankfully Horne’s good form of early season was continuing as he made an important early stop. This seemed to wake Buxted up and they began to play the ball around with confidence; trying to get the ball wide at every opportunity. Slowly Buxted began to dominate proceedings and it was they who broke the deadlock after 20 minutes. An excellent move down the right involving Reardon, Rolfe and Whittington saw the ball laid into the path of Chris Vincent who swept the ball past the keeper from just inside the penalty area. Buxted had a good chance to extend their lead when Chris Vincent’s cross was met by Matt Whittington, but he was unable to get enough purchase on the header to beat the keeper. With half time approaching Buxted became sloppy and afforded Wisdom too much time and space; time and space that they fully exploited to equalise before the break.

The second half saw Buxted dominate the majority of possession and chances as they looked likely to regain their lead. However it was Wisdom in what was their only real attack of the half who took the lead, catching Buxted on the break and again capitalising on some bad defending. That left Buxted with 15 minutes to get back into the game, and the introduction of David Patrick certainly brought extra pace and with it another dimension to the attacks. Despite creating some good chances to equalise, Buxted failed to find the clinical finishing touch to their good build up play and Wisdom were able to hold out for all three points.

It is difficult to criticise a team that dominated the majority of a game, but the harsh reality of it is that two bits of slack defending and inaccurate finishing meant Buxted went home empty handed. On the positive side the team started to play the sort of football their talent is capable of and the chances are at least being created; when Buxted find their shooting boots someone will be in for a hammering.

Neil Felstein’s tireless work rate, energy and aerial domination meant he was the driving force behind the Buxted performance and hence the Man of the Match.

Starting XI: 1. Gavin Horne, 2. Ross Delmon, 3. Harry Forster, 4. James Whitmarsh, 5. Karl Harrison, 6. Dan Reardon, 7. Chris Vincent, 8. Neil Felstein (c), 9. Matt Whittington, 10. Hayden Rolfe, 11. Will Extence

Subs: 12. Matt Hughes, 14. Josh Delmon, 15. David Patrick
 

Buxted travelled early pace setters AFC Ringmer confident of securing their first win of the season; however we left with only the bitter taste of defeat after a less than convincing performance.

Buxted started the game quite well, good movement and inter play led to a couple of early half chances. Will Extence having some early success down the right, forcing a couple of early corners, as his pace was causing the Ringmer left back some concerns. Buxted created the first real chance, and what a chance; Hayden Rolfe was sent clean through on goal by Dan Reardon, with only the keeper to beat - unfortunately Rolfe saw his rather tame finish pushed round the post by the keeper for a corner. However Buxted take the lead after 30 minutes when the ball ricocheted to Dan Reardon in the Ringmer penalty area; his initial shot was blocked, but then thumped the ball home from 12 yards - the keeper had no chance.Buxted then offered Ringmer a chance to get back into the game shortly before half time. A communication breakdown between Gavin Horne and Phil Pedley saw Pedlay pull the on rushing striker down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Thankfully for Buxted the Ringmer penalty taker did not hold his nerve and blasted over from the spot; 1-0 half-time.

Unfortunately there are not too many positives to be taken from the second half as Ringmer dominated the majority of it from start to finish. After just 10 minutes of the second half Karl Harrison gave the ball away on the halfway line which allowed Ringmer player to run at a exposed defence, beat the last man and score past a helpless Horne in goal. The score remained 1-1 until the 70 minutes when Ringmer were award a freekick on the right edge of the box; a wicked deflection off Matt Hughes in the wall saw the ball loop up and into the far corner – no chance again for Horne. The third goal soon followed to put the game beyond Buxted; leaving the players and manager with plenty to think about.

An satisfactory first half had set the game up for Buxted, but team came up short in the second half – not a good day at the office! One bright point for Buxted was the performance of Man of the Match Gavin Horne in goal. He commanded his area well all day and look assured in all he did, he was at fault for none of the goals - his performances have got better and better all season

Starting XI: 1. Gavin Horne, 2. Karl Harrison, 3. Harry Forster, 4. James Whitmarsh, 5. Phil Pedley (c), 6. Matt Hughes, 7. Will Extence, 8. Dan Reardon, 9. David Patrick, 10. Hayden Rolfe, 11. Matt Whittington

Subs: 12. Dave Mumford, 14. Ross Delmon, 15. James Muddle
 

Buxted secured their second point of the season with a hard fought draw against newly promoted Cuckfield Town.
The game started very evenly with both sides probing and trying to ascertain any potential weaknesses; this meant the game was large contest in the centre of the park. During the first half, in which both teams cancelled each other out for the majority of the time, Buxted created a couple of good half chances; but unfortunately both Noodles and Hayden Rolfe were unable to capitalise.

Buxted survived a couple of early scares at the start of the second half, as they were caught napping slightly. They soon regained their composure and the remainder of the second half saw the game become more stretched as both teams started to push for the opening goal. However, a combination of missing a clinical touch inside the opposition’s penalty area and some good goalkeeping from Gavin Horne kept the score at 0-0. In the end Buxted had the best chance to win it late on, when a good move down the left led to Will Extence crossing the ball to Noodles. With the goal keeper beaten and an empty net gapping Noodles could not get high enough to keep his header down and it went narrowly over the bar.

Another workman like display from Buxted continued the steady start to the season. There were again glimpses of excellent football and build up play that the team is capable of; but, as the previous week, the final ball and football in the final third let them down. Man of the Match was Dan Reardon for a dynamic performance in the centre of the park on his full debut for the first team.

Some positives to try and build on next week, and with more of first team squad to come back into contention over the next couple of week’s things are looking positive. Next week is the first away game of the season against AFC Ringmer.

Starting XI: 1. Gavin Horne, 2. Karl Harrison, 3. Harry Forster, 4. Matt Scott, 5. Phil Pedley, 6. Ross Delmon, 7. Dan Reardon, 8. Neil Felstein (c), 9. David Patrick, 10. Hayden Rolfe, 11. Will Extence.

Subs: 12. Matt Whittington, 14. Matt Hughes, 15. James Whitmarsh
 

The first game of the season at the Rec saw Buxted claim their first point of the season against a perennial bogey side Ditchling.

Buxted got off to the worst possible start when, after just 5 minutes, Matt Hughes was harshly adjudged to have pulled back his man and the referee awarded a penalty, which was confidently put away by the Ditchling front man. As the game progressed Buxted grew into the game and started to apply some pressure to the Ditchling defence. The equaliser came on the half hour when the Ditchling keeper fumbled a James Muddle corner and the ball was bundled in by Neil Felstein. Buxted had an excellent chance to go into the break in front when a good move down the right ended with Hayden Rolfe weighted pass finding Harry Forster at the back post, only to see his goal bound effort well saved.

The second half was a bit of a stalemate as both sides struggled to stamp their authority on the game, although as the game wore on Buxted’ superior fitness began to show; this was further boosted by the introduction of all three subs with 15 minutes remaining, all of which had a positive impact on the team. Buxted, with fresh legs, proceeded to dominate the final 15 minutes and looked as though they would go on to win the game. An impressive cameo from Dan Reardon on the right saw him in the thick of the action from the moment he stepped on the pitch; but despite the late pressure and chances Buxted could not find a winner.

A workman like display from Buxted to start the season saw them show glimpses of what they are capable of; but there was a lack of service and a cutting edge when it came to the final third of the pitch. Man of the Match was Harry Forster who had a good defensive performance and also supported well when going forward.

On a positive note it is the first time in 7 seasons that Buxted have picked up any points on the first game of the season.

Starting XI: 1. Gavin Horne, 2. Karl Harrison, 3. Harry Forster, 4. Matt Scott, 5. Phil Pedley, 6. Matt Hughes, 7. Will Extence, 8. Neil Felstein (c), 9. Matt Whittington, 10. Hayden Rolfe, 11. James Muddle

Subs: 12. James Whitmarsh, 14. Ross Delmon, 15. Dan Reardon