A very wet week prior to this fixture and an equally grim morning and lunchtime on the day threatened far worse than the slippery but otherwise firm conditions the players encountered at start of play. The wind and continuing rain did however in large part hinder both team's attempts at playing the precision game required as any ball over the top slid speedily to safety well before any threat could be realised.

The referee was kept as busy as anyone in the early stages having to repeatedly remind members of the opposition to call a name when requesting a pass, or otherwise keep their questionable taste in music to themselves. Unpiterbed the regular shouts of "Yes!" or more irritatingly even "Yes, Yes!" finally got the better of the official's patience and landed one of the men in green with a yellow card for his trouble.

The first half progressed with Buxted taking control of the game as expectations were raised with a number of free kicks and corners presenting themselves to the returning dead ball specialist Gareth Houkes, who's dangerous deliveries eluded a static defence and unfortunately Buxted's poorly positioned forward line. After a rare incisive move however, Tom Harding received the ball on the left and cut inside to release a shot only to be belatedly upended by a defenders desperate lunge to concede a penalty. Houkes stepped up to place the ball calmly to the 'keepers right to take the Stags into the break with a 1:0 lead.

As the second half got under way conditions improved markedly and both sides were able to create openings with Michel 'Tinker' Tampkin in particular wasting a couple of good opportunities much to his frustration before unleashing an unstoppable pile driver from a difficult angle on the right edge of the area as the ball arrived at his feet following a weak goal mouth clearence. The goal, which arrived after a timely re-shuffle of the forward line with Alex Christie replacing the impressive and much improved Cliff Starkey, knocked the stuffing out of the visitors as much by the manner of it's taking as by it's timing as Rotherfield might well have equalised on a couple of occasions beforehand.
With Buxted's attack receiving more fresh legs with the introduction of Joe Harland for the lively Tom Harding and Bertie Hudson for the hard working Alex Marks Rotherfields defence began to crumble and Joe Harland added a third as he deftly slipped the ball beneath the onrushing 'keeper after Alex Christie's incisive through ball.

Buxted's dominance was only briefly interrupted as Rotherfield broke through with what appeared to be an unstoppable attempt on goal. The ball was seemingly destined for the top corner over the left shoulder of Buxted 'keeper Jörn Kröger only for the veteran custodian to leap salmon like in the air, hanging in mid-flight for what seemed like an age to claw the twenty yard shot round the post, much to the amazement of all those in attendance, not least himself. As the game neared it's end Buxted were to compound Rotherfield's misery with a fourth goal via a gap between the legs of Allan Curtis at the near post direct from Houkes' corner kick on the left.

A welcome return to winning form after three straight defeats, strengthening the view that a correct balance needs to be maintained in all areas between the talented and spritely youth introduced at the season's start and the older and wiser if slightly less mobile heads. A combination that promises much as the season approaches the half way stage.

Man of the Match goes to Gareth Houkes, who marshalled the back line expertly and also managed to chip in with two goals.

Starting XI: 1. Jórn Króger, 2. Lewis Reilly, 3. Cliff Starky, 4. Gareth Houkes (c), 5. Nigel Fox, 6. Alan Curtis, 7. Jack Evans, 8. Michael Tampkin, 9. Shane Bills, 10. Alex Marks, 11. Tom Harding

Subs: 12. Robert Hudson, 14. Joe Harland, 15. Alex Christie

For the visit of Fairwarp, the current Division 10 leaders, Buxted were missing several key players, including 1st choice centre back pairing of Gareth Houkes and Nigel Fox.

Fairwarp started well and quickly went 2 goals up, but before long, Buxted were back level through goals from Alex Christie and Bertie Hudson, both regular scorers so far this season.

This was very impressive from Buxted, coming off the back of a couple of tough losses against inferior opposition, and said a great deal about the spirit in the team.

Sadly though, heartbreak was just around the corner, and with just a couple of minutes to go, Fairwarp won a free kick outside of the area, which was floated in and over the back line. It appeared as though it would run through to Joern Kroger in goal, but just plopped in the mud and stuck, the Fairwarp striker nearest it couldn’t believe his luck and tucked away the winner.

This was a very cruel blow for Buxted, with even Fairwarp admitting this had been their toughest game yet.

 

After the disappointment of the previous week, the thirds turned up at Copthorne expecting a result against a team who so far had failed to impress in the league this season.

We were sadly mistaken if we felt we were going to walk this one; with a makeshift defence incorporating Alan Curtis and Richard Turner playing out of position at centre back and right back respectively, Buxteds soft and youthful underbelly was sorely exposed as Copthorne came at us with an unusual formation featuring a deep lying attacker breaking forward into unpredictable positions, and within about 30 minutes Buxted were 3-0 down.

Buxted managed to hang on to the 3-0 deficit until half time, but there was to be no respite from the mauling as Assistant Manager Erick Reilly tore into everyone. Once this calmed down, some tactical alterations were made, and Lewis assigned to man mark the danger man in the middle.

Buxted came out for the second half in a different frame of mind determined to make a game of it. Sure enough, Buxted were able to control the second half, restricting Copthorne chances to a minimum, and eventually hitting back with 2 quick fire goals from Alex Marks, the first brilliantly and unselfishly set up by Berie Hudson.

Just as it looked like Buxted were about to spoil the Copthorne party and snatch what would just about be a deserved equaliser, the referee (who had indicated 6 minutes to go) blew the final whistle on a game that he had struggled to control from the off.

The reality of the first half was that Copthorne were a big tough team and not enough of the Buxted team were used to this or stood up for themselves enough. By the end of the game, it was clear that the lesson had been learnt, Buxted did man up and wont fall prey to this type of thing again.

Man of the match was Bertie Hudson for an impressive display against a big tough back line old enough to be his dad.

Starting XI: 1. Jórn Króger, 2. Richard Turner, 3. Nathan Brown, 4. Allan Curtis, 5. Nigel Fox, 6. Lewis Reilly, 7. Jack Evans, 8. Michael Tampkin, 9. Bertie Hudson, 10. Alex Marks, 11. Tom Harding

Subs: 12. Alex Christie

 

After 3 straight victories the thirds turned up at Heath Rangers in confident mood, but perhaps too confident.

With a strong line up including Matt Scott joining the back 4, and Dan Selby making his first start at right back, Buxted started well and controlled most of the first half, carving out the best opportunities but failing to convert. A brief scare occurred when Heath Rangers had the ball in the back of the net on a rare attack, but were pulled back for offside.

After a bit of a talking too at half time Buxted came out firing in the second half and Bertie Hudson narrowly failed to convert a chance largely of his own making. Once again Heath Rangers were failing to have much of an impact up front, so Matt Scott went off for Alan Curtis to come on at Centre Back. All was fine until a long ball over the top found Rangers forward, Joern Kroeger came rushing out and deliberately handled the ball outside the area, resulting in his second sending off in two seasons.

The 10 men of Buxted continued to press the play until a series of defensive errors allowed Rangers in to make it 1-0 with a shot past sub keeper Alex Robinson.

With 15 minutes to go Buxted took the game to Rangers and totally outplayed them even with one less player. Two long throws from Shane Bills to the head of Nigel Fox were flicked on causing panic in the Rangers box, where Jack was just unable to direct his header beyond the keeper before the ref blew for full time.

In fairness, we were robbed, almost everyone played well, with man of the match going to Jack Evans, playing on the right wing. A draw would have been a fair result, but Buxted failed to take their opportunities.

Starting XI: 1. Jórn Króger, 2. Dan Selby, 3. Lewis Reilly, 4. Matt Scott, 5. Nigel Fox, 6. Shane Bills, 7. Jack Evans, 8. Michael Tamkin, 9. Robert Hudson, 10. Alex Christie, 11. Tom Harding

Subs: 12. Allan Curtis, 14. Alex Robinson