GOALS GALORE

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC…7 MARLDON…7
Sunday, February 14 2010

A big crowd turned out at Homer’s Heath for a friendly which turned into a thrilling goalfest played out over three 20-minute sessions.
Stunning finishing from both sides meant the net bulged at such regular intervals that the match officials lost count and had to utilise the Duckworth-Lewis method to calculate the final score.
Georgia was first to notch, capping a fine run with a superb finish into the bottom corner which set her on the way to the player of the week award in an all-round performance reminiscent of such football legends as Kaka, Michael Essien and Jimmy Bullard.
Marldon hit back soon afterwards, and from that point on the scoring barely stopped until the final whistle.
The goals tally could have been even higher had it not been for the brilliance of cat-like keeper Josh, who took over from the absent Gabriel between the sticks.
Josh was helped by some solid defending from Lauren, who almost capped her Buckland debut with a goal when her right-foot effort whistled past the Marldon post.
Brad’s tenacious tackling and the ever-dependable Declan also played a major part in suppressing the talented Marldon attack, with Jamie pushed forward into midfield where he caused constant problems for the opposition.
Adam led the line with distinction and was unlucky not to put his name on the scoresheet as Buckland started to gain the upper hand.
Harry made a late push for inclusion in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad with four fantastic goals, while Mason – who even stood in at right back before reverting to his favoured striking role – scored with a typical predatory finish after Adam’s shot had been saved.
Joey was also on target, playing a one-two with Adam before racing away from the defence and drilling a shot into the bottom corner.
Two excellent late Marldon goals levelled the scores in a game neither side deserved to lose.
Darren, handed the keys to the managerial clipboard for the first time, was delighted with the team’s performance.
“It was a game of two halves,” he said. “Well, it was a game of three halves actually, but you know what I mean. Down the line, DOWN THE LINE…”

Buckland goals: Harry 4, Georgia, Mason, Joey

Player of the week: Georgia