It was the first game back from the extended christmas break due to the match against Huntingdon United being called off. Buckden turned up to Eaton Socon in rather blustery conditions with a small but strong squad, including both Goodgers on the bench.
After a warm up off the pitch to preserve its integrity and the managers team talk we were ready. We played a 4-3-3 with Luke, Robbie & Josh Smith in the middle (spoilt this week weren't we!). The first half began with Buckden dominating the play, with Dom breaking through down the left side a couple of times in the opening 10 minutes, creating some goal mouth scrappy chances. Chances if converted, would have been a deserved lead and probably control of the match from then onwards! However Buckden struggled to find the final ball through to Bramley, a little typically forced but the wind was making it difficult. Pretty much every corner in the whole match failed to stay on the pitch before it got to the front post, but we'll blame the wind again shall we...should of of taken short corners after the first two, but alas they were more wasted chances. Eaton Socon failed to really penetrate the defence and any balls especially in the air were calmly intercepted and recycled by a great Chris Dennis performance. Craig in goal also gave confidence to the defence which resulted in being able to start from the back and Jamo to play neat passes into the midfield.
The wind was blowing across the pitch towards left side of the field so it was surprising that the whole half was played down the right hand side, not that Ryan minded. Ryan had control of the right hand side and in the absence of James Woo showed quick feet and pure confidence on the ball to pass inside or down the wing to Johnny Love. The half ended 0-0, a bit frustrating as Eaton Socon's confidence grew towards the end of the half and we knew we had to win the game in 45 minutes again just like against Milton Res.
In second half more clear cut chances were created by the team. A heavy touch my an Eaton Socon midfielder allowed Weitzel to just send the ball down the left wing first time to Bramley who with great anticipation stayed onside, caught the defence out, (including the keeper) creating an open goal scenario. An inform strikers dream. But it was not to be. Bramley shot too early and it went wide of the post leaving him face down eating grass. Credit to him though he didn't let it bother him and he soon scored from another scrappy goal mouth situation.
Luke and Robbie played in front of Josh Smith and worked hard to intercept the ball and Robbie's height allowed us to compete in the air and create chances all game.
Buckden conceded soon after from a 'foul' by Robbie, which was harshly given against us, which they somehow scored from (I don't even know how as I didn't see it).
At 1-1 we pushed on and soon Bramley (I believe) won himself a penalty which he just squeezed under their goalkeeper, it wasn't convincing, it wasn't pretty, it gave Josh Smith a heart attack, but it was a 2-1 lead and Bramley once again showed how important he is to the team. At 2-1 Eaton Socon began to push again, and despite Josh Smith preaching before the match about conceding 'silly fouls' on the edge of the area, began to do just that. Mainly due to him playing so deep to allow Robbie and Luke to sit in front, meant that his usual breaking up of play fouls were barely in front of the back 4.
However we coped with them and he redeemed himself with a beautifully placed lob which secured the 3 points!
To be honest it wasn't a great performance, but everyone played 90 minutes (Dom off in injury time) and the conditions weren't great. But we got the points and that's important.
