After a controversial week, the game was a great opportunity to get back down to business for the Buckden and look forward into the very bright future. New boys Sam Underwood and George Jackson were called into the first team for a chance to prove their worth. Buckden started with the 4-3-1-2 formation that has served them very well throughout the pre-season, with Dom Smith getting his chance upfront alongside G-Man. Josh Smith played just behind the front 2 allowing him freedom to pull the strings. Timmy dropped in at centre back to play alongside Chris Dennis, with Owen after his great debut against Fulbourne back in at right back and Adam Kidman (Noodles) at left back. New boy Liam Dawson made his debut in the sticks after the shady departure of goalkeeper and assistant manager Oli Day.
After a great warm-up the boys were raring to go, but started the game very sloppily, giving the ball away in the early minutes leading to the opening goal of the game from Camborne. A huge lofted ball from the defence played over the line left Timmy one on one and unable to sort his feet in time to clear which allowed the striker to finish by rounding him and the on rushing Liam Dawson. A terrible start to the game, but after a few minutes confidence starting to grow, the defence grew in confidence and the midfield of Shane, Luke and Darren were starting to dictate the tempo. Soon as we knew it the game was 1-1. Good play down the left side slipped in Dom Smith who had a good shot saved and there was poacher for the day Josh Smith who tapped in to an empty net for the equaliser. Straight after the goal confidence was continually growing and the ball was getting passed from side to side with ease despite the small pitch, this lead to Chris Dennis picking up the ball passing down the line to Dom Smith’s whose movement throughout the half was incredible, he found himself in space and picked out a great cross for right place right time Josh Smith to get his second of the game with a tidy finish near post.
The Smiths were tearing them apart with great movement and power and pace from Dom, and good hustling, passing and vision from Josh. Using G man as a great foil, Shane played a nice pass inside to Josh Smith, who cut in and slid a pass cutting the centre back and left back apart, but the run from Dom was magnificent, the defence did not know how to cope, he had a great first touch into the space and hit it early low and hard in to the right corner. Buckden were unstoppable, Owen, and Noodles providing good width, Darren Scutt making a nuisance of himself harrying and winning tackles and calmness of Luke Fennel and Shane McDonald just picking up the pieces. It became a simple game for Buckden who were great in possession, and played with great tempo. This was evident with the fourth goal, just on the brink of half time. A corner collected by Liam, distributed nice and quick to Josh Smith, a good switch of play saw Dom free yet again on the right side to cross a lovely ball in for yet another tap in from within 5 yards for Josh. The easiest hat trick for Josh but great timing of his runs, and scoring goals that all strikers would love to score. A great half ended 4-1. The defence shored up after their shaky side, and Tim and Dennis partnership was improving throughout.
The second half started similarly to the first. The immense Dom Smith subbed for a breather and an opportunity for Jack Bramley to show his worth. He had a lot to live up to after the unplayable Dom Smith had probably his best game in a Buckden shirt. Straight off in the second half Buckden squeezed the game and made it hard for Cambourne to get any rhythm to their game. This resulted in Owen picking the ball up in his own half, playing a lovely one two with Luke Fennel. In acres of space he whipped a delightful ball over towards the back post for another finish from Josh Smith, he controlled a great half volley into the far corner the keeper had no chance.
The game was all but over and the defence was playing the ball around nicely, Tim and Chris picking the ball up from the back and giving it easy to Shane, G man and Luke to distribute well. But sometimes playing that way can present the opposition with chances, a loose ball played from the back was intercepted, the striker who scored the first for cambourne jinked into the box around the tackle and passed it across the box for a tap in to make it 5-2. This didn’t affect Buckden however and they continued to play the game this way. And a few minutes later Bramley after a good run, hit the post and it was trickling across the box and yet again Captain Josh Smith, taped into an empty net.
Buckden smelt blood and continued to attack; Bramley making good runs found himself in space but the keeper just beat him to ball. The defence held strong, Timmy was winning headers with Chris Dennis sweeping up well, and in front of them the midfield were bossing it, and this led to Shane spreading it out wide to Bramley, who played a neat one two with Josh Smith and then leathered the ball high into the net from an acute angle. A great team goal with a great finish at the end of it. More changes from the gaffer lead to Josh Smith coming off after a great game and G man coming into the middle adding a bit more steal to the midfield late on. G man picked it up off Timmy Smith and dinked a ball over the defence where Jack Bramley rounded the onrushing keeper and tapped in the finish into an empty net. Another late consolation goal for cambourne shortly followed after indecision in Buckdens penalty box lead to an easy finish for the striker. A flick not dealt with properly lead to the goal in a slightly disappointing afternoon for the Buckden defence with the goals they conceded but not overall performances.
With no time left came the goal the game. Adam Kidman picking the ball up all of 30 yards out and no cambourne player near him. Urged to have a shot, he unleashed a tremendous strike which arrowed into the top corner saving the best till last. A game absolutely dominated by Buckden really from start to finish, with great goals and great play spread throughout. A good end to a controversial week and Buckden look in good shape going into the next game against Offord and more importantly the season ahead.
