KJM SPORT REPORT Buckland Athletic 4 Saltash Utd 3

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Created on Monday, 16 October 2023 14:24

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 10:39

Published on Monday, 16 October 2023 14:24

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at KJM Sports

In the cold light of day this goes down as another defeat for Saltash - but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a performance to provide plenty of optimism for the rest of the season.

Buckland are an established top six side and particularly difficult to beat at Homers Heath but the Ashes took them all the way on Saturday.

They scored three goals and could have doubled that number with better fortune and finishing.

After Kieran O’Melia had given them the perfect start with a third minute lead, the Ashes had several other opportunities in the opening 25 minutes to add to it.

That they conceded an own goal in the sixth minute didn’t fluster them and they were the better side until Cieran Bridger’s deflected effort gave Buckland a 2-1 lead just before half-time.

A Ben Carter penalty midway through the second half seemed to take the game away from Saltash but two goals in four minutes from Jordan Ewing - one a penalty - set up a thrilling final 10 minutes.

The match could have gone either way but an 89th minute Josh Grant strike won it for Buckland, which felt harsh on the visitors.

Saltash manager Macca Brown said: “I just wanted to start by saying that my thoughts are with Harry Foster and his family as such a heartbreaking time.

“Whilst football becomes insignificant at such times, I’m sure the football community, particularly at Barnstaple and Street, but in reality all clubs over the south west will stand with Harry and his family and help give them the strength to help get through this tragic time.

“The minute’s silence was observed impeccably at Buckland and what followed in all honesty really doesn’t matter in comparison.”

Brown went on: “The game itself was what the scoreline suggests! We lost the game but I think there were so many positives that outweighed the negative scoreline that will serve us well in the long run.

“I don’t think you can ever be angry or upset when you see our team perform with such character. I am disappointed, but disappointed alongside them rather than at them because they deserved more and we lost on our terms.

“I said similar versus Torpoint two weeks ago, we deserved more than a point that day but I couldn’t be upset because I loved what I saw and it was the same yesterday for large parts of the game.

“Others will see a result and make up their own minds but a scoreline can mean everything and nothing at the same time. I saw great character, and that shows what we are and I’m happy with that.

“We started so well, and should really have scored four goals in the opening 20 minutes or so.

“However, we didn’t, and we lost our way a little after that and Buckland dominated the rest of the half, we gave the ball away cheaply and then we were stuck in our own half really until half time which came at a good time for us to regroup.

“The second half was a bit more scrappy, Jordan had another good chance before the referee awarded Buckland a penalty.

“I thought both penalties were a bit soft to be honest, I may be wrong but I thought Hayden (Greening) couldn’t really move and their lad just ran into him, and at 3-1 you know there’s a mountain to climb, but we stormed up it.

“The boys were superb. We were ready to make a double change with 20 minutes to go, and then as the lads were stripped ready to come on, Jordan headed in to make it 3-2, had a penalty shout turned down and then dispatched one two minutes later to make it 3-3 as the game turned on its head.

“I think another goal was always coming for someone, but the question was to who as both teams were knocking on the door. Jordan had a goal ruled out for a foul on Tyler (Coombes) and two minutes later they scored.

“I can’t criticise the goal, it was a fantastic pass and neat finish from Josh, but even after then we had a couple of chances to make it 4-4, it was just a fantastic game.

“But we can be buoyed by our performance. We really went toe to toe with Buckland, and the game really could have gone either way.

“We’ll digest the game during the week and watch it back because we’ve conceded four goals, but we defended set pieces brilliantly, and other than the fourth, the goals were quite unfortunate from our point of view.

“An own goal, a deflection and a penalty. We need to be more clinical, I know we’ve scored three over the course of the game but we should have scored at least three after the first 20 minutes and then it’s a different game, but I thought some of our attacking play was excellent.”

Goalkeeper Jordan Duffey has rejoined Saltash after leaving Torpoint and replaced youngster Jake Mead-Crebbin between the sticks.

Buckland: T Coombes, S Morcom, T Rosenquest, R Shanley, M James, O Stockton, B Carter, C Bridger (F Clark 88), J Webber (S Stayt 68), Lewington (J Grant 73), C Watson.

Subs not used: W Hall, A Collings (gk).

Goals: own goal (6), C Bridger (41), B Carter (67 pen), J Grant (89).

Saltash: J Duffey, T Badcott, E Wright (H Greening 65), E Goodman, T Huyton, L Murray, K O’Melia, J Toulson, J Ewing, A Goulty, T Love-Holmes.

Subs: J Preece, B Goulty, J Foster, S Cox.

Goals: K O’Melia (3), J Ewing (75 & 79, pen).

Attendance: 245.

SWSN Star Men. Buckland - Ben Carter; Saltash - Josh Toulson.

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