WE ARE BUCKLAND

MAY THE FOURS BE WITH YOU...

2011-12-09T14:15:00.001Z

Sunday, December 4 2011
Pioneer League U10
Buckland Athletic...4 Brixham United...1

A fine four-goal haul from Beck secured a win against a talented Brixham United side at Homers Heath on Sunday.

Buckland were without new goalkeeper Joseph, meaning Declan had to step into the line of fire between the sticks and put in a superb performance.

Jamie and Hamish lined up in defence, with Georgia, Harry, Joey and Beck completing the starting line-up.

Joey almost opened the scoring, firing narrowly over after a well-worked passing move, before Beck put the home side in front with a fine strike.

Almost immediately, Beck grabbed a second with a fantastic solo run and shot, before completing his hat-trick when Hamish, Joey and Harry combined to put him in to drill home and then adding a fourth with another unstoppable effort.

With Daniella taking over from Declan in goal at the break, and Daniel and Josh stepping into action, Buckland could have scored more.

Brixham were well in the game throughout, denied by the woodwork on several occasions, and by one astonishing goal-line block from Declan.

Buckland scorers: Beck 4

UP FOR THE CUP...

2011-12-02T16:08:00.000Z

Sunday, November 27 2011
Pioneer League U10 Plate

Buckland Athletic...3 Newton Town...2

Buckland progressed to the next round of the plate competition after a thrilling win over Newton Town on Sunday.

Georgia showed her predatory instincts with Buckland's opener, and further pressure from the home side foced a Town player to turn the ball into his own net.

Harry added a third with a fine sliding finish at the far post to seal the win and keep Buckland on course for silverware.

Buckland scorers: Georgia, Harry, OG

WATTS IT ALL ABOUT?

2011-12-02T16:04:00.001Z

Sunday, November 20 2011
Pioneer League U10

WBB...3 Buckland Athletic...2

A fantastic double strike from Beck wasn't enough to prevent Buckland from going down to a 3-2 defeat at WBB.

Wattsies have proved to be something of a bogey side in recent times, and this time was no different as their strength and organisation prove to be too much for Buckland.

New keeper Joseph made a fine start between the sticks, and could do nothing to prevent any of the home side's three goals.

Buckland scorers: Beck 2

WELL DONE..

2011-11-18T15:36:00.000Z

Sunday, November 12
Pioneer League Under 10
BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...4 WALDON..2

Buckland ended talented Waldon's unbeaten start to the league campaign with a well-deserved win on Sunday.

Georgia was first on the scoresheet for the home side, expertly finishing at the back post.

Josh pulled off some fine saves in an impressive performance, while Declan - putting in one of his best shifts yet for the club - and Jamie dealt expertly with the Waldon threat.

Joey and Harry controlled the centre of the park and both were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, while Daniella make a big impact when she joined the action.

Beck hammered in the first of his double before Daniel notched his second in consecutive games with a cool side-foot finish.

Beck then grabbed the goal of the game with a powerful solo run and fine finish into the bottom corner to seal the win.

Buckland scorers: Beck 2, Georgia, Daniel

ALL SQUARE...

2011-11-18T15:26:00.001Z

Sunday November 6, 2011
Pioneer League U10
TOTNES & DARTINGTON...1 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...1

Buckland secured a well-earned point in an excellent game at Dartington.

The visitors were boosted by Harry's return to action, although the future England captain started on the bench.

Jamie captained the side against his old friends, and his performance alongside Declan in defence, and some fine saves from goalkeeper Josh, went a long way to securing the draw.

Buckland's goal came when Daniel flashed in a fantastic near-post header from Harry's corner, but the draw was a fair result against a talented Totnes & Dartington side.

Buckland scorer: Daniel

HOME HEARTACHE...

2011-11-04T12:12:00.000Z

Pioneer League U10, Sunday, October 30

Buckland Athletic U10...3
Stoke Gabriel...7

A strong Stoke Gabriel side inflicted a home defeat on Buckland Athletic in a compelling game at Homers Heath.

Buckland lined up in a new 3-3 formation with Beck joining Jamie and Declan at the back in front of goalkeeper Josh, Georgia, Hamish and Joey completing the line-up, with Dan and Daniella named as substitutes.

Georgia grabbed Buckland's first goal, a fantastic volleyed finish after Joey had hooked the ball in to her.

Beck then latched on to Joey's pass before drilling home an unstoppable shot for the home side's second.

And Daniella was on hand to slam in Buckland's third after Beck's effort had hit the post.

Despite Buckland's continued efforts to play passing football, Stoke proved too strong and ran out clear winners.

COMING UP ROSES...

2011-10-21T15:51:00.000+01:00

Sunday, October 16

Roselands...3 Buckland Athletic...4

Buckland returned to form with a deserved victory against a useful Roselands side at Paignton Community College on Sunday.

Playing on the 3G astro surface which has tended to bring the best out of the side, Buckland shook off the disappointment of the previous weekend's cup exit and immediately began to stretch Roselands with Beck in threatening mood, causing all sorts of problems as he held the ball up.

Even going a goal down did not knock Buckland out of their stride and they were soon on level terms when Joey smashed a half-volley into the top corner following a corner.

Joey lashes in Buckland's first

And the visitors took the lead when Joey and Hamish combined to play their way through the Roselands midfield and defence before Hamish picked his spot with a great finish.

Hamish puts Buckland 2-1 up

Roselands fought back, but Josh was in fine form in goal, and Declan and Jamie marshalled the home side's attack well, keeping chances to a minimum.

Georgia's workrate on the left gave Buckland a regular outlet, and Daniel joined the fray as the visitors piled on the pressure.

Both Daniel's and Beck's persistence was rewarded when both hit the target to secure a good win and a much-needed confidence boost.

Joint manager Paul was delighted with the win. He said: "I'm sorry but I'm not talking to you anymore because you either completely misquote me or just make stuff up. I've had a chat with Sir Alex, who had a similar issue with Match of the Day, and he said I should just tell you to $%"* +@*."

Buckland scorers: Joey, Hamish, Daniel, Beck

CUP DREAM OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR...

2011-10-14T15:22:00.000+01:00

Sunday, October 9
Pioneer League Under-10 Cup

Buckland Athletic...0 WBB...3

Buckland suffered a disappointing cup exit at the hands of a committed WBB side at Homers Heath.

Wattsies took the lead through a freak goal when a cleatrance rebounded off a WBB player and sailed over Josh into the net.

And from that point on there was only ever going to be one winner as Buckland struggled to find their rhythm or their passing game.

Joint manager Darren was philosophical after the defeat. "We'll be concentrating on the league," he said.

NO RUSSIAN LINESMAN REQUIRED...

2011-10-06T16:08:00.000+01:00

Sunday, October 2 2011

Buckland Athletic...4
Newton Town Stripes...3

BUCKLAND came out on top in an end-to-end affair which a strong Town side will feel they should have taken something from.

With Harry off having trials for Barcelona, where he'd fit right in, Buckland shuffled the pack as Beck moved into the middle with Daniel coming in on the right.

An early injury to Jamie meant Hamish joined Declan in defence as Buckland set about trying to claim the points.

The game was marked by two controversial refereeing decisions with both sides being awarded goals the opposing sets of players were not convinced had crossed the line.

First, a long-range Town strike evaded the excellent Josh, struck the bar, rebounded off Josh's back and rolled towards the line.

The referee, who all right-thinking people agreed put in a faultless performance, was not going to award the goal, but then saw Buckland joint-manager Darren signalling that the ball had in fact gone in.

The goalnet camera shows the Town effort did not actually cross the line...

Just minutes later, Georgia grabbed her second of the game with a brilliant header, which clearly crossed the line despite Town protests.

...while there is clear photographic evidence that Georgia's header was a goal.

Buckland rode their luck at times, with Declan and Hamish dealing with Town's pressure admirably and Josh pulling off some great saves.

And eventually, the home side were able to stretch their lead, a defender turning Joey's corner into his own net before Declan's long throw resulted in another goal off the head of a Town player.

Joint manager Darren was delighted with the hard-fought win, but was severely critical of the referee as he joined calls for the Pioneer League authorities to introduce goal-line technology after the double controversy.

"It's ridiculous that we don't have it," he said. "I'd forgotten that I wasn't actually reffing, and seeing isn't my strongest point, so I can't believe the ref actually listened to me and gave the goal for Town. It was a particularly poor decision, I thought.

"If we had like some kind of laser beam going across the goal and some other kind of electronic wizardry rigged up, the ref wouldn't have had to rely on my dubious advice and the win might have been more comfortable. I'll see what I can organise for next week."

Buckland scorers: Georgia 2, 2OGs

NINE BELOW ZERO...

2011-09-29T15:41:00.002+01:00

Sunday, September 25 2011

Pioneer League U10 Division One

NEWTON TOWN RED...0
BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...9

AFTER last week's cup sojourn, Buckland returned to league duties with a comprehensive win over a useful Newton Town side at Coach Road.

There was to be no hangover from Buckland's previous league fixture, the 7-1 defeat against Marldon, as the team produced their best performance of the season.

As ever, slick passing and fluid movement were the foundations of the win, but Buckland added extra steel to their game and earned the right to play their football by pressurising their opponents at every opportunity.

Beck opened the scoring with a fine finish, before Harry and Georgia both grabbed well-deserved hat-tricks. Once again Harry's finishing was of the highest order, and Georgia showed how lethal she can be in front of goal, particularly when she brilliantly converted Beck's pin-point cross after Joey had set him free down the right.

Georgia finishes brilliantly from Beck's cross

Declan and Jamie formed a largely impregnable barrier in defence, and on the rare occasions they were breached Josh - making his first appearance of the season in between the sticks - made some terrific saves to ensure Buckland recorded their first clean sheet of the season.

Declan clears his lines

Beck finished in style to secure his second of the morning, and Joey completed the goal haul with a great finish high into the net to open his account for the campaign.

Beck wheels away after lashing in his second of the day

Joint manager Paul was delighted with the performance and the win, which he put down to the impending arrival of the team's smart new Adidas away kit.

"I think the players were all really motivated when I told them I had the new kit all sorted out, without any problems at all, and that's what spurred them on to victory," he said.

"I think people understand that I am something of a tactical mastermind, but they perhaps don't appreciate just how good I am at overseeing all the logistics behind the scenes as well, and they way I've organised the new kit with absolutely no mix-ups, mess-ups or delays from our excellent suppliers, is testament to that."

The new kit is expected to be ready for the start of the 2013/14 season.

Buckland scorers: Harry 3, Georgia 3, Beck 2, Joey

OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS...

2011-09-22T14:57:00.000+01:00

We are indebted to our very generous new sponsors, South West Highways, DG&JE Mills Plumbing (Declan and Isaac's grandma and grandad) and The Wolborough Inn, who have supported the team and enabled us to provide fantastic new matchday and training / away kit, and rainjackets.

As you know, we already have the home strip, and very smart it is too, and the Adidas gear should be with us very soon.

Thanks to all of our sponsors who help us to make Buckland Athletic THE team to play for...

THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY...

2011-09-22T11:25:00.002+01:00

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 2011
PIONEER LEAGUE U10 CUP

DAWLISH UTD...1
BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3

BUCKLAND came through a potential banana skin of a fixture to book their place in the second round of the cup with a hard-earned 3-1 win at Dawlish on a rainy Sunday morning.

On a pitch that sloped in more dimensions than even Professor Brian Cox could get his massive brain around, Buckland still managed to play a passing game and took the lead when Joey nicked the ball in the Dawlish box to set up Harry, who finished with a magnificent strike from a narrow angle.

Professor Brian Cox tries to weigh up the slope on the Dawlish pitch

Dawlish fought back and despite goalkeeper Daniella's best efforts deservedly equalised.

Georgia almost extended Buckland's lead from Joey's exquisite through ball as the visitors came on strong.

Dawlish continued to press, but Declan, ably supported by Hamish and Jamie in defence, put in another commanding performance to keep the home side out.

After more Buckland pressure, Harry finally fired in a second, Daniel's clever run distracting the keeper who saw the ball flash past him into the far corner.

With Josh joining the attack, it was only a matter of time before Buckland grabbed a third, and it came from Beck, expertly converting high into the net.

Joint manager Darren was delighted with the win, which he put down to his influence on the team.

"Paul took last week's defeat hard, to be honest," he said. "I think he's been a bit rattled at his failure to get on the scoresheet for Massive Nights FC so I took charge and delivered the 'W'. We've got our sights set on Wembley now so I'm hoping we avoid the Liverpools, Chelseas, Man Uniteds and Marldons in the second round draw."

Buckland goals: Harry 2, Beck

BIG IN LITHUANIA...

2011-09-15T17:09:00.000+01:00

Since we launched this website in May, 2009, we've had the massive total of 2,976 hits, traffic stats which must have come close to breaking the internet at times.

Here's a somewhat surprising breakdown of where the people who have followed the fortunes of South Devon's finest young footballers come from... (for the hard of sight, you can click on it to make it bigger...)

So in a few years time when our kids are turning out for Wisła Kraków, Deportivo Cali or Pažanga Vilnius, you'll know how they got there...

AN ADMISSION OF DEFEAT...

2011-09-13T20:51:00.000+01:00

Sunday, September 11 2011

Buckland Athletic...1
Marldon...7

BUCKLAND slumped to a rare home defeat at the hands of a talented and committed Marldon side on a grim morning at Homers Heath.

The home side were coasting after taking an early lead when Hamish stylishly finished after Harry's fantastic break down the right wing.

Georgia in full flight

Some sensational goalkeeping denied Harry on a couple of occasions, but Marldon began to gain the upper hand and rattled in seven unanswered goals despite the team's best efforts.

Buckland's square dancing team in action

Manager Paul insisted he felt a sense of deja-vu and had predicted the outcome in advance, Nostradamus-stylee.

"Everyone was raving about us last week after we beat Dartmouth but I wasn't convinced," he said. "We only won 13-2 so I don't know why everyone was getting excited.

Paul takes consolation in the fact he was right after all

"So basically, it means that I was right and everyone else was wrong. Go on, admit it. ADMIT IT!!!"

Buckland scorer: Hamish

BULLARD'S BOOTS...

2011-09-08T11:25:00.000+01:00

So what sparked Joey's return to form??? Could it have been the fact that he's now turning out in the same boots as those sported by official Buckland Athletic hero, and Joey's all-time favourite larker, Jimmy 'The Jimmer' Bullard???

A FINE START ON THE DART...

2011-09-08T11:12:00.002+01:00

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 2011
PIONEER LEAGUE U10 DIVISON ONE
Dartmouth...2
Buckland Athletic...13

BUCKLAND opened their league campaign with an emphatic win at Dartmouth on Sunday.
After a disastrous pre-season campaign which left the club in crisis amid the traumas of a heavy home defeat at the hands of Stoke Gabriel, the non-arrival of the new playing kit and Feasby's continued failure to buy a pair of Copa Mundials, the pressure was on.
But the team handed the management duo a 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card with a stunning performance after the long drive south.
Georgia opened Buckland's account for the season, lashing in a long-range effort to put the visitors 1-0 up, and opening the floodgates in the process.

The goals came thick and fast, with Harry notching five, mostly run-of-the-mill strikes which flew into either top corner from seemingly impossible angles and distances. He's not bad, that lad.

Beck claimed his first hat-trick of the campaign, the pick of the bunch so sweetly struck that it just about vapourised the net.

Daniel bagged a brace, Georgia notched her second and Hamish was on target as the goals kept coming.

Dartmouth threatened only rarely, Jamie and Declan forming the equivalent of the Berlin Wall to keep the home side out, and even when Buckland's goal was threatened Daniella proved to be more than a match.

Joey was back to somewhere near his sparkling best and somehow came away without a goal despite launching more shots than a Libyan rebel.
Manager Paul was delighted with the manner of the victory, which he attributed to his own excellence.
"I felt the team was in danger of becoming over-confident in pre-season'" he said. "So I deliberately sent them out against Stoke Gabriel in a formation I knew would lose us the game. It was psychological warfare really, and as you can see it paid off today.
"I know there's been some speculation about my future, but I know what I'm doing. In fact only the other day, I heard someone on TalkSport describe me getting the Buckland job as the best managerial appointment since Sheriff Roscoe P Coltrane was put in charge of the police in Hazzard County, and you can't sat fairer than that. Yee-ha!"

Goals: Harry 5, Beck 3, Daniel 2, Georgia 2, Hamish 1.

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...5 STOKE GABRIEL...3 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

2011-05-05T21:21:00.000+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 TOTNES & DARTINGTON...2 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

2011-04-21T21:22:00.000+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...2 WBB...2 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

2011-04-04T21:41:00.000+01:00

NEWTON 66...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 1

2011-03-28T20:49:00.000+01:00

NEWTON 66...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 2

2011-03-28T20:05:00.002+01:00

NEWTON 66...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 3

2011-03-28T20:04:00.002+01:00

NEWTON 66...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 4

2011-03-28T20:03:00.001+01:00

NEWTON 66...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 5

2011-03-28T20:01:00.001+01:00

OCHE OCHE OCHE, OI OI OI!

2011-03-28T10:55:00.000+01:00

The lead singer of One Direction takes time out between shows to try out his birthday darts...

CHELSTON...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 1

2011-03-21T22:13:00.000Z

CHELSTON...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 2

2011-03-21T20:08:00.001Z

CHELSTON...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 3

2011-03-21T20:07:00.001Z

CHELSTON...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 4

2011-03-21T20:06:00.001Z

CHELSTON...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 5

2011-03-21T20:05:00.001Z

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY...

2011-03-15T11:22:00.003Z

BRIXHAM...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 1

2011-03-14T21:43:00.000Z

BRIXHAM...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 2

2011-03-14T20:33:00.001Z

BRIXHAM...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 3

2011-03-14T20:29:00.001Z

WBB...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...2 VIDEO PART 1

2011-02-28T20:32:00.000Z

WBB...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...2 VIDEO PART 2

2011-02-28T20:31:00.001Z

WBB...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...2 VIDEO PART 3

2011-02-28T20:30:00.001Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...5 ROSELANDS...0 VIDEO PART 1

2011-02-20T17:25:00.000Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...5 ROSELANDS...0 VIDEO PART 2

2011-02-20T17:24:00.001Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...5 ROSELANDS...0 VIDEO PART 3

2011-02-20T17:23:00.001Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...5 ROSELANDS...0 VIDEO PART 4

2011-02-20T17:22:00.001Z

MARLDON v BUCKLAND ATHLETIC VIDEO PART 1

2011-02-16T21:18:00.000Z

MARLDON v BUCKLAND ATHLETIC VIDEO PART 2

2011-02-16T19:35:00.001Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...1 CHELSTON...1 VIDEO PART 1

2011-02-07T23:45:00.000Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...1 CHELSTON...1 VIDEO PART 2

2011-02-07T23:44:00.001Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...1 CHELSTON...1 VIDEO PART 3

2011-02-07T23:43:00.002Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...1 CHELSTON...1 VIDEO PART 4

2011-02-07T23:41:00.001Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...5 STOKE GABRIEL...3

2011-02-01T09:09:00.000Z

ROSELANDS...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 1

2011-01-09T14:30:00.000Z

ROSELANDS...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 2

2011-01-09T14:29:00.002Z

ROSELANDS...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 3

2011-01-09T14:28:00.001Z

ROSELANDS...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 4

2011-01-09T14:27:00.001Z

COERVER COACHING...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...7 VIDEO PART 1

2010-11-13T11:46:00.000Z

COERVER COACHING...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...7 VIDEO PART 2

2010-11-13T11:45:00.003Z

COERVER COACHING...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...7 VIDEO PART 3

2010-11-13T10:44:00.003Z

COERVER COACHING...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...7 VIDEO PART 4

2010-11-13T10:43:00.005Z

BUCKLAND...3 NEWTON TOWN...4 VIDEO PART 1

2010-11-10T23:08:00.000Z

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 NEWTON TOWN...4 VIDEO PART 2

2010-11-10T21:00:00.000Z

RAINED OFF

2010-10-31T19:17:00.000Z

See you at training on Tuesday.

SATURDAY UPDATE

2010-10-30T15:31:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow's game at Marldon has now been moved to an 11am kick-off. We are meeting at Sainsbury's Newton Abbot at 10.10am.

I have also finally got round to finishing the videos from the Broadmeadow home game - part three is now uploaded (including the missing action replay of Beck's goal - sorry Beck!)

A WELCOME LIE-IN...

2010-10-27T16:51:00.000+01:00

Kick-off for Sunday's away game at Marldon has been switched to 9.45 or 10am (apologies for the vagueness), so we don't need to be up at the crack of dawn.
We are planning to meet at Sainsbury's Newton Abbot at 9.10am.
The pitch is opposite the Church House Inn in Marldon - see map below.

View Larger Map

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 BROADMEADOW...1 VIDEO PART 1

2010-10-19T22:12:00.000+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 BROADMEADOW...1 VIDEO PART 2

2010-10-19T21:29:00.001+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 BROADMEADOW...1 VIDEO PART 3

2010-10-19T21:27:00.002+01:00

CHELSTON...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...4 VIDEO PART 1

2010-10-11T21:07:00.000+01:00

CHELSTON...3 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...4 VIDEO PART 2

2010-10-11T21:06:00.001+01:00

CHELSTON AWAY - THIS SUNDAY

2010-10-07T13:26:00.000+01:00

We have arranged a friendly match against Chelston FC this Sunday, October 10, at Torquay Community College.

Kick-off is at 10am, we are planning to meet at Sainsburys, Penn Inn, at 9.10am.

Map is below. Any questions, ring Darren.

View Larger Map

NEWTON TOWN...0 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 VIDEO PART 1

2010-09-26T20:47:00.000+01:00

NEWTON TOWN...0 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 VIDEO PART 2

2010-09-26T20:05:00.001+01:00

NEWTON TOWN...0 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 VIDEO PART 3

2010-09-26T20:04:00.001+01:00

NEWTON TOWN...0 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 VIDEO PART 4

2010-09-26T20:03:00.001+01:00

NEWTON TOWN...0 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 VIDEO PART 5

2010-09-26T20:02:00.001+01:00

NEWTON TOWN...0 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...6 VIDEO PART 6

2010-09-26T20:01:00.001+01:00

GO COMPARE!

2010-09-23T18:06:00.003+01:00

U9 Bullard, Homer's Heath, Tuesday September 21

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC…13

MARLDON…3 (16-3 AET)

BUCKLAND’S early-season goal fiesta continued against a talented and sporting Marldon team on a night of mixed fortunes for the home team.

On the up side, records tumbled as Buckland recorded their highest-ever goals tally with 16 breathtaking strikes. Seven of those went to the outstanding Harry, who bettered Beck’s previous individual high of six set in the season opener at Broadmeadow.

Harry was in imperious form in the centre of midfield, and he deservedly shared the player of the week award with Jamie, who put in arguably his finest shift yet in a Buckland shirt. Jamie was strong in the tackle, quick to cover and his distribution was first class.

But the rest of the team were not to be outdone – Daniella grabbed her first goals for the club, one with a wicked deflection and another poacher’s strike from Georgia’s lob. Georgia also grabbed two goals, opening her account for the season, and Hamish marked an excellent debut with a brace.

Beck, sporting his fabulous new Adidas F50 boots, took his season’s tally to eight with two well-taken efforts, meaning he is currently averaging a goal every 10 minutes. Not even Ken ‘Waggy’ Wagstaff could match that in his Hull City heyday.

The scoreline was further enhanced when Declan scored arguably the goal of the game, unleashing a Roberto Carlos-style free kick into the top corner from 20 yards.

Josh replaced the absent Gabriel in goal and played a full part in the victory. No keeper in the world would have stopped Marldon’s goals, all of which were top-class strikes. Later, when Beck took over between the sticks, Josh was desperately unlucky not to put his name on the scoresheet.

The excellent performance of fast-flowing football was tempered by news of an ankle injury to Joey, who was forced to come off after just 10 minutes and now faces at least two weeks in plaster on the sidelines.

But there was worse news for Buckland when it emerged that the club is the subject of a full-scale investigation by the football authorities into the circumstances of the re-arrangement of the fixture. The game was originally scheduled for Sunday morning but was switched at short notice for reasons which were not made public.

Allegations subsequently came to light that Buckland joint manager Paul had made the switch as it clashed with a male bonding session in a local licensed premises he had arranged.

The alarm was raised last Friday night when Paul’s cohort Darren took a call from the league secretary during a board meeting taking place at the Wolborough Inn, which Paul had failed to attend. It is understood the league issued Darren with a dire warning as to the possible consequences.

Today Paul was unapologetic, insisting he had nothing to answer for.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “I feel we are being unfairly singled out. I know for a fact that if one of my managerial contemporaries like Jose Mourinho needs to rearrange a Real Madrid match because he wants to go to the pub with his mates, nothing’s ever said about it at UEFA or FIFA. But when I do it they throw the rulebook at me. There just ain’t no justice in this world."

Darren insisted he was fully behind his managerial colleague. “Paul quite rightly draws a parallel between himself and Jose Mourinho,” he said. “In fact only the other day, one of our fans stopped me in the street and compared Paul to the Real Madrid boss. He said ‘compared to Mourinho, Paul’s absolutely rubbish’, and you can’t say fairer than that".

Buckland goals: Harry 7, Beck 2, Georgia 2, Hamish 2, Daniella 2, Declan 1

Players of the week: Harry and Jamie

Mourinho: 'The Special One'

Hannah: 'The Special Needs One'

THE TREATMENT TABLE

2010-09-22T23:13:00.002+01:00

Update on Joey's injury: X-rays have revealed no significant damage, but as doctors cannot exclude the possibility that Joey has a small avulsion fracture they have decided to put his ankle in a lightweight cast for 10 days or so.

He can walk on it but he will be out of football action for a couple of weeks. He was disappointed to find he wasn't handed a set of crutches and instead was given a lovely orthopaedic sandal, which was decorated with teddy bears, to keep his cast off the ground.
So we decided to get the marker pens out and pimp it up a bit...

We'll bring a pen on Sunday so his team-mates can sign his pot leg in the traditional manner.

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 MARLDON...3 (16-3 AET) VIDEO PART 1

2010-09-22T15:41:00.000+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 MARLDON...3 (16-3 AET) VIDEO PART 2

2010-09-22T15:40:00.005+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 MARLDON...3 (16-3 AET) VIDEO PART 3

2010-09-22T15:39:00.004+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 MARLDON...3 (16-3 AET) VIDEO PART 4

2010-09-22T15:38:00.001+01:00

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 MARLDON...3 (16-3 AET) VIDEO PART 5

2010-09-22T15:37:00.001+01:00

BECK'S MISSING GOALS

2010-09-22T14:12:00.000+01:00

I've found the missing footage of two of Beck's goals from the game away at Broadmeadow. As they say in cowboy films, 'nice shootin' son, what's ya name?'...

REARRANGED FIXTURE

2010-09-14T21:18:00.000+01:00

SUNDAY'S home game against Marldon has been postponed and rearranged for next Tuesday evening (September 21).

Players meet at Homer's Heath at 6pm for a 6.30pm kick-off.

Y VIVA ESPANA!

2010-09-13T16:39:00.005+01:00

Broadmeadow…2 Buckland Athletic…13

BUCKLAND opened the new campaign with a new system and a hatful of goals against a valiant and spirited Broadmeadow side on Sunday.

Ditching last season’s 2-4-0 Italian-inspired formation, Buckland employed Beck as a lone striker in front of a midfield trio comprising Georgia, Harry and Joey, with Gabriel in goal and rock-steady defensive duo Declan and Jamie giving the rearguard a familiar look.
It didn’t take Beck long to make his mark – he fired home an early opener, exchanged a slick one-two with Joey before hammering home his second, then turned in Joey’s pinpoint cross at the far post to ensure he had a hat-trick to his name within 10 minutes of the season’s start.
But it wasn’t all one-way traffic – Broadmeadow had pulled the score back to 2-1 with a well-worked goal before Beck resumed his netbusting antics, his predatory instincts grabbing him another two goals before the break, one a fine left-footed effort from Georgia’s defence-splitting pass.
Buckland began the second period with Daniella replacing Jamie in defence and Josh coming on for Joey in midfield. Both made their mark, Daniella with some tough-tackling defensive work and Josh with his strong running on the flank.
Beck grabbed a sixth shortly after the restart to complete a stunning double hat-trick before handing over goalscoring duties to Harry, who was in sensational form in the middle of Buckland’s midfield. On any other day he would have surely walked off with the player of the week award, but Beck’s six of the best pipped him to the prize.

Harry drove through the middle at will, blasting home four times, with both feet, as Buckland ran away with the game. Broadmeadow were rewarded for their spirited efforts with a well-taken goal which just evaded the excellent Gabriel in Buckland’s goal. It’s fair to say that without Gabe, Dec, Jamie and Daniella the scoreline could have been very different.

Jamie showed flashes of Kenny Sansom-like quality, winning the ball in defence before surging forward and unleashing a fearsome shot from long range which the home keeper did well to push away.

Declan also pushed forward to play in the left midfield berth, progressing further up the pitch than any member of his immediate family had ever previously managed.

Once Harry’s goal glut was over he reverted to his former role as provider, passing on the goalscoring baton to Joey. Harry stormed down the wing before whipping in a cross to the back post where Joey was waiting to fire home with his left foot.

Moments later Harry’s clever ball allowed Joey to fire high into the net with his right foot to claim his second, and the little man completed his ‘perfect’ hat-trick with a stunning downwards header from Declan’s corner. It was the sort of goal superstars of world football like Didier Drogba, Nat Lofthouse or ‘Rambo Billy’ Whitehurst would have been proud to score.
Buckland’s management team of Paul and Darren, who have defied the bookies’ odds to remain in charge for a second season, were delighted with the way the team had handled their opening fixture.

‘While I was watching the World Cup this summer it dawned on me that the 2-4-0 Italian Catenaccio system we were using was too restricted, too rigid’, said Paul.

‘The football Spain played in South Africa told me that the game has moved on. I subsequently carried out an in-depth study of Spain manger Vicente Del Bosque’s methods and his team’s fluid lone striker system, and Darren once went on holiday to Benidorm, so we felt changing the system was the right thing to do.

“We see Beck as a cross between David Villa and Torres, Georgia as Iniesta, Harry as Xabi Alonso, Joey as Xavi, Declan and Jamie as Puyol and Pique, Gabe as Casillas, Daniella as Sergio Ramos and Josh as Pedro. I’m obviously Del Bosque and Darren is that big fat bloke with the drum.”

Buckland goals: Beck 6, Harry 4, Joey 3

Player of the week: Beck

BROADMEADOW...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 VIDEO PART 1

2010-09-12T14:48:00.000+01:00

BROADMEADOW...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 VIDEO PART 2

2010-09-12T14:47:00.001+01:00

BROADMEADOW...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...13 VIDEO PART 3

2010-09-12T14:45:00.001+01:00

BROADMEADOW...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC..13 VIDEO PART 4

2010-09-12T14:44:00.001+01:00

BROADMEADOW...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC..13 VIDEO PART 5

2010-09-12T14:43:00.001+01:00

BROADMEADOW...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC..13 VIDEO PART 6

2010-09-12T14:42:00.001+01:00

So who's this 'Dom' Ford bloke then?

2010-09-06T13:04:00.000+01:00

Herald Express, Monday September 6 2010

Dorset Tournament - picture special

2010-08-15T15:00:00.000+01:00

BUCKLAND & MILBER FESTIVAL - PICTURE SPECIAL

2010-06-03T19:59:00.001+01:00

BUCKLAND & MILBER FESTIVAL - PICTURE SPECIAL PART 2

2010-06-03T19:58:00.000+01:00

BUCKLAND & MILBER FESTIVAL - PICTURE SPECIAL PART 3

2010-06-03T19:57:00.000+01:00

BUCKLAND & MILBER FESTIVAL - PICTURE SPECIAL PART 4

2010-06-03T19:56:00.001+01:00

END-OF-SEASON AWARDS

2010-06-01T22:58:00.002+01:00

SNEAK PREVIEW...

2010-05-07T18:32:00.002+01:00

We've got a special treat for all Buckland players and fans today - an exclusive look at next season's training kit.

We asked Beck to model the smart new Vandanel professional quality-gear - top, shorts, socks and a full tracksuit, all in sleek black (which won't show stains as much, mums).

We hope you agree Beck did a great job - a career in catalogue modelling surely beckons...

MORNING CAMPERS...

2010-05-06T20:13:00.003+01:00

U8 ROONEY
IPPLEPEN ATHLETIC...2 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...1 (2-2 AET)

BUCKLAND fought back from 2-0 down to secure a deserved draw against a strong Ipplepen side last night.

Assistant manager Darren drafted Brad and Daniella into a new-look back line and they performed heroics on a pitch roughly the same size as Wales.

Gabriel bravely overcame a injury sustained in the warm-up to take his place between the sticks and pulled off some great saves before Ipplepen opened the scoring.

Joey, Georgia, Harry and Mason were trying their hardest to stay in the same postcode as each other and made chances but were unable to beat the in-form Ipplepen keeper.

Beck, Josh, Bailey, Jamie and Declan joined the action at the break, and it was Bailey who made the breakthrough for Buckland, squeezing a shot home at the near post.

Bailey grabbed a dramatic equaliser in the third period, after Joey spotted Mason on the distant horizon and found him with a fine ball out of defence. Mason played in Bailey for a cool finish to make the score 2-2.

Paul was delighted with the team's performance and defended his decision to give Darren the chance to demonstrate he can coach the side to a victory.

"I thought the team did well, and Darren did too," said Paul. "In fact, I heard one of the fans saying that handing Darren the reins last night was the best managerial appointment since Jeffrey Fairbrother was put in charge of Maplins Holiday Camp, and I think everyone would agree that was the case."

Buckland have now completed their U8 Rooney league commitments, and are preparing for life next season in U9 Bullard.

Buckland goals: Bailey 2
Players of the week: Bailey, Brad, Gabriel

YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING...

2010-04-26T12:01:00.003+01:00

U8 ARGYLE
DARTMOUTH…5 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC…3

BUCKLAND slipped to a second defeat in three games at rainswept Dartmouth on Sunday.

Set against the poetic backdrop of a large Lidl supermarket, the game turned in the second of three periods when the talented home side fired in four unanswered goals.

Buckland started brightly, once again utilising the 2-4-0 system which was inspired by Roma manager Luciano Spalletti’s pioneering tactical approach born in 2005.

Beck, played in by Joey’s perfectly-weighted pass, lashed in a fierce drive from a wide angle which narrowly cleared the angle of post and bar, and Georgia was in great form on the left.

Jamie and Declan were rock solid in defence, coolly starting Buckland’s passing moves from the back.

But Dartmouth took the lead against the run of play after a spell of ping-pong in the Buckland box, Gabriel powerless to prevent the goal.

Buckland needed to find some magic from somewhere and it came from the boots of birthday boy Beck, who embarked on a mazy run down the right before shooting across the excellent home keeper into the bottom corner for a brilliant solo goal.

The goal would never have come about had it not been for Harry’s sheer bravery – the midfield dynamo took a real stinger on the back of his thigh to give Beck the chance to attack. Ouch!

Manager Paul rang the changes at the break, with Josh replacing Gabriel in goal and Mason and Brad joining the action.

But despite their best efforts, the new line-up couldn’t stop the home side taking a 5-1 lead.

Buckland narrowed the deficit with a remarkable penalty double from Mason. He dispatched his first spot-kick, awarded for handball, to the keeper’s left, and when the man in black pointed to the spot again minutes later, he tried a different approach.

Mason outfoxed the bemused goalkeeper by cunningly shooting at the crossbar, allowing the ball to balloon into the air before dropping over the goalie’s head and over the line. It was a piece of penalty perfection more usually seen from the likes of Lampard, Le Tissier or Jimmy Bullard (who tried something similar on Saturday, less successfully).

Mason was cruelly denied a hat-trick in the final minute when his free-kick strike was controversially ruled out on the grounds that the referee had signalled an indirect set piece.

Manager Paul was delighted with his team’s performance and felt the result did not reflect his side’s display.

“The team did very well today, despite the scoreline” he said. “Darren and I have brought a continental approach to our football, hence the Roma-inspired 2-4-0, which worked a treat. I’m a great student of Italian football, and Darren loves pizza and that, so we know what we’re doing.

“In fact, only the other day I heard one of the fans say that us taking over was the best managerial appointment since Captain Mainwaring and Sergeant Wilson were put in charge of the Walmington-on-Sea platoon of the Home Guard, and there’s no higher praise than that.”

Paul was also unhappy with the controversial decision to deny Mason his hat-trick. “I checked with Don, who’s our refereeing expert, and he said there’s no such thing as an indirect free-kick in U8 football, so I’ll be including that in my report. Having said that, the ref got a much better peep out of his whistle than Don ever did, so he probably knows more about the rules as well.”

Don refused to be drawn into the escalating row, and issued a short statement to the waiting media. “Don’t panic! Don’t panic!," he said. "They don’t like it up 'em!"

Buckland goals: Mason (2 pens), Beck
Players of the week: Mason, Josh, Joey

DARTMOUTH...5 BUCKLAND ATHLETIC...3 VIDEO PART 1

2010-04-25T21:04:00.002+01:00