This cup game saw Buckden travel to literally what seemed the middle of nowhere to take on Ashdon Villa. Upon arrival the conditions did not look great with a huge slope on the pitch and of course due to recent weather the pitch was also incredibly boggy, it was much like a farming field.There were multiple changes to the team with reserve players Craig Linnel, Robbie Williams and Jack Bramley coming into the fray, this spirit amongst the Buckden team was high though which was shown even more in the changing room, whilst some questionable music was being played, you may have been forgiven for thinking we had just turned up for our X-Factor audition. Despite there being a definite boy band in the making somewhere amongst the lads we got our heads screwed on.
Buckden had Oli Day missing so Ross Morgan took the warm-up, much to our relief the famous ‘sideys’ were still incorporated, and starting a new trend imaginary cones were used instead of real ones. Oli has work to do to top this warm up. Warm-up was complete and Buckden were to set up with a 4-4-2 formation. Due to injury the influential skipper Josh Smith had to settle for a place on the bench which left Chris Dennis to lead the team. The starting 11 looked like this; Craig replaced the inconsistent Matt Bone in goal, the back four of Chris Weitzel, Chris Dennis, James Price and Ryan brown. The midfield consisted on James Woo, Ben Salmon and Jon Love in the middle with Dom Smith on the left with the dream team of Ross Morgan and Milton Mendes up front.
After recent weeks it was imperative that Buckden started quickly and were solid especially defensively for the first quarter of the game. It was a scrappy first 10 minutes probably just edged by Buckden, good industrious play by Ben Salmon, released James Woo to have a drive from the right hand side of the box just narrowly over the bar. Ashdon Villa had a big threat from goal kicks; the keeper had a huge kick which caused a slight headache for the Buckden back four. They dealt with this well in the early stages of the game however. Buckden carried on trying to pass the ball and deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute. James Woo won the ball just inside the oppositions half and clipped a delightful ball to on the on rushing Ross Morgan. He had a touch to set himself, looking like he would play it across the box to the open Milton, Ross lashed it across the goal right into the top corner which prompted a Ric Flair ‘Woooo’ celebration at the end of it. Despite the interesting ‘wooo’ it was a sublime strike. Unfortunately for Ross 5 minutes later he had to be substituted due to a knee injury, ironically it was the first game he didn’t mention about his knee surgery to the opposition but he was replaced by Jack Bramley who had a point to prove.
Buckden continued to press high and continued playing their game but a break down the right hand side for Ashdon Villa gave them some optimism, they began to win the first and second balls and were given too much time in midfield. The Buckden back four began to get stretched, after a good tackle in the box from Weitzel a corner was conceded. Tight marking was not enough and the Ashdon Villa striker rose above the defender and headed it across goal and looked a certainty to find the net but a tremendous save from the impressive Craig Linnel kept Buckden’s lead intact.It was a nervous final 10 minutes of the half, as Buckden became very sloppy on and off the ball, the work rate had completely dropped and it was all Ashdon Villa despite them not really creating many clear cut opportunities. Despite the referee being pedantic about where the ball was placed, the only response going forward for Buckden was a few good dead ball situations with Milton coming close on a couple of occasions, but the final 15 minutes of the half were bossed by Ashdon Villa.
At half time a change was made in midfield with Ben Salmon replaced by Robbie Williams. This was a good change as it gave slightly more height in to the midfield. The second half began with Buckden knowing they needed to step their game up, keep possession better and ultimately work much harder as a team. In an incredibly scrappy start to the second half, it was long ball game for both teams it seemed. James Price floated a ball over the back line and the pace of Jack Bramley was beating the defenders and this looked the most likely outcome for Buckden to get that vital second goal, unfortunately on this occasion Jacks touch was too heavy and allowed the keeper to collect the ball. This was a reoccurring trend that carried on throughout the second half as Jack had numerous chances but touch and finish was not on point unfortunately.
On the 65th minute, Milton came off to be replaced with Josh Smith. One of the true professional sporting moments of the season occurred here as the Vice Captain Chris Dennis handed over the armband to the club captain; it was well received by the fans watching the game. Josh’s first involvement was a free kick from the left hand side after a great maizy run from Dom Smith was brought to a halt. Buckden filled the box; a great curling ball played into the corridor of uncertainty went right across the 6 yard box with four Buckden players just unable to get the crucial touch. Buckden were comfortable across the park, they were competing well but then in the 80th minute a long hopeful ball was not won by either centre backs due to a lack of communication despite a big call from one of the centre backs and fell kindly for the Villa winger to smash the ball top corner from a tight angle. It probably was underserved but yet again a defensive error allowed the opposition back in to the game.
The game was still fairly even and another chance for Jack Bramley came and went but the centre back was marshalling him well, Buckden had a corner from Josh Smith which was headed on target by Chris Dennis but straight at the keeper whilst Villa had a couple of attempts from corners, and a shot lashed wide at the edge of the box, the game looked set for extra time but in the 88th minute a cross seemingly going wide and out for a goal kick led to Chris Weitzel getting to close to his man and pulling his shirt, after a dramatic dive the referee gave the penalty. The penalty was converted leaving too much for Buckden to do in the remaining few minutes and capped off yet another frustrating game where Buckden deserved more.Lessons need to be learnt and quick as this trend can’t continue for Buckden.
