Saturday saw Buckden host the newly promoted Alconbury who were unbeaten in their first 6 league games. This was always going to be a tough game especially with the weather but Buckden were unbeaten at home this season, winning all 3 without conceding, so confidence was high.
The first few minutes of the game were very sloppy and Alconbury took advantage of this and found themselves with a lot of time and space and arguably had the most of the game for the first 10 minutes, with the midfield struggling to get ahold of the ball. This didn't last long though and the high pressing and constant pressure from Buckden saw them start to thread balls through the the hardworking Dom and G Man. The team started playing and this saw the back four get on the ball and Chris and Westers began to come out with the ball, trying to find the feet of the forward 3. Noodles and Browny offered vital width and found themselves in very good positions at times, opening the pitch up for the middle was one of the main reasons the midfield were getting a foothold in the game.
The breakthrough finally came with Scutty hassling and winning the ball well before laying it into Josh, who turned into half a yard of space before sliding a ball between the defence for Dom, who found himself one on one with the keeper. What seemed at first a great finish saw Dom wheel away in celebration after slotting past the keeper at his near post, with a clump of mud he'd dug up in the process. The first half petered out with Buckden dominant, a contentious penalty shout the only talking point.
A positive team talk from the 'gaffer' and his assistant for the day Geordie only helped to build the spirits and as usual the team were urged to come out the blocks fast.
Coming out for the 2nd half the rain picked up and the pitch looked very boggy and cut up. It was a scrappy start, as was expected, and the only talking point for Buckden was G Man rasping a free kick into the top corner only for the keeper to somehow palm the ball round the post. The sloppy start was summed up when the ball found its way to their striker who found himself through on goal only for Chris Dennis to somehow get his trademark last ditch tackle out, managing to get back and sweep his leg round to clear the ball. The resulting throw saw the first change, seeing the biggest threat of the game Dom Smith making way for Jack Bramley.
Buckden failed to get going although still showing slight glimpses of keeping the ball and playing their football. The failure to take control of the 2nd half proved vital when Alconbury won a corner out of nothing. The resulting set piece saw one of Alconbury's biggest players rise up above everyone else to nod a header into Buckden's net. The goal came at the worst possible time as Alconbury started to get themselves into the game and were the better team at that point. In the aftermath, Luke Fennel entered the fray to try and settle the team down and get his foot on the ball. Despite his entrance Buckden looked drained after the goal and Alconbury knew this and kept on pushing. Buckden needed a little bit of luck to get something out of this game, and that's exactly what happened. A big kick from the ever impressive Jan was going out of play the other side of the pitch before Lovey chased it down and forced a corner. The resulting corner saw Lovey look up, check the wind and mention to the Ultras 'I'm gunna hit this', and that's exactly what he did. The ball came out and managed to bend back in and over the keeper, who struggled all game with the ball in the air. Good pressure from Westbury saw the keeper juggle the ball in and over the line and Buckden were back in front, admittedly a bit fortuitously.
This saw Alconbury chuck a few more upfront but Buckden matched this with the midfield pulling up their socks and getting in and about their midfield and stopping any kind of through balls to their 9 strikers. The defence coped impeccably with the balls that did find their way through and this saw Mr Cramp himself Noodles go off again, with the ever reliable Browny, obviously still hurt from the anonymous shout of 'YOU'RE HAVING A MARE BROWNY', move to left back and team hard man Owen come on at right back.
The solidarity of the team was uplifting and they were rewarded when Jack Bramley won a free kick all of 40 yards out. Up stepped Josh Smith who pushed Scutty off of the ball saying 'watch this'. Turning to the ultras and urging them to catch this on camera. Wow. The ball arrowed into the top corner, the keeper had no chance. Running over to the management sliding across the greasy surface in celebration, with the whole team crowding around him. The moment of the match, the season? No. Step up the combo of Adam Westbury and Jon Love. A free kick whipped in by Josh saw the keeper punch clear, the ball fell to Westerz all of 30 yards out, you'd be forgiven for thinking this was going towards the corner flag but no, reminiscent of Stevie G, the ball arrowed across the floor onto the base of the post. Groans rang out before the ball dropped to Lovey... I don't really know how to describe what happened but one of the funniest, most dramatic air shots ever nearly saw Lovey take off into the air. He probably wished he had after the deafening jeers from the sideline.
The game drowned out with little action, Buckden dealt well with what Alconbury tried throwing at them and every single player rose to the occasion and became the first team to beat Alconbury in league and cup action this season.
A good, well contested game refereed by arguably one of the best refs we've had in a long time made for an enjoyable day and this was summed up by nice guy Adam Kidman telling a few of the lads in the changing room 'I'm really happy we won that guys'.
2 big games next for Buckden see them travel to Oversports and then host league leaders Wisbech, 2 wins would see them jump up the table and with confidence and fitness growing game by game the team will fancy their chances.
