Two early goals helped settle the nerves and set Buckland Athletic up for a well-deserved FA Cup Preliminary Round victory over Southern League visitors Mangotsfield United.

Despite a positive and creative start from the visitors, Buckland scored the opener just six minutes in. Mangotsfield goalkeeper Cameron Clarke attempted to clear his lines but the onrushing Graham Mercieca charged down his kick. The rebound cannoned off the near post but fortunately for Mercieca it came straight back to him. With Clarke out of the game, Mercieca controlled the ball and passed it into the vacant net for 1-0. Mangotsfield responded by breaking down the right-hand side and sending a low shot just wide of Kenny Griffiths’ right-hand post.

Then, six minutes later, Richard Groves gave the Bristol side a substantial hill to climb with a superb 20 yard free-kick which curled around the wall and beat Clarke at his near post. In an eventful two minute spell, Buckland then lost first Dan Griffiths and then Simon Revell to injury with Nick Rudge and Ryan Bush entering the fray.

Due to the quality of the opposition, there was little chance of the Yellows resting on their laurels and they pressed for a third goal, player-manager Craig Duff coming close with a deflected shot. The game was then disrupted for a lengthy spell as a Mangotsfield player received treatment for an injury prior to being stretched off. When the game resumed, the Bristol side were straight on to the attack, Kye Simpson’s shot well-saved by Griffiths. At the other end, Bush almost capitalised on a goalkeeping blunder as Clarke dropped the ball on the edge of his area. Bush accepted the invitation to shoot but the ball fizzed wide of the far post. Moments later, Mercieca blazed another shot over the bar.

Buckland continued to pressurise the visiting goalkeeper at every opportunity with one robust Bush challenge ending with Clarke going down in the box.

Unsurprisingly, the first half was extended by more than eight minutes with Mangotsfield looking increasingly threatening as they sought the crucial third goal of the game. Captain Kyle Tooze was looking particularly dangerous on the right with Lewis Tasker doing well to keep him at bay. Tooze did get one shot away, firing over the bar, and was racing into the box when Caelen Simpson opted to drive into the Buckland defence on the left instead, his effort eventually thwarted. With Buckland getting to half-time with their goal intact there was a sense that they had achieved an important milestone but with a lot of work yet to do to seal their place in the next round.

HALF TIME: Buckland Athletic 2 – 0 Mangotsfield United

Mangotsfield put pressure on the Buckland goal early in the second half but the Yellows began to strengthen again as the half wore on. Mercieca went on a lung-busting run but a much more competent half from Clarke saw the goalkeeper out smartly to intercept his through ball. Tasker had a shot deflected for a goal-kick before Buckland came close to killing the game off with a bizarre chance that hit the woodwork three times. First, Groves’ free-kick was turned onto his near post by Clarke, then the rebound hit the bar before coming back to Tasker on the edge of the box. His effort then clipped the bar on the way over.

That chance seemed to galvanise the visitors who once more pushed for a goal back, Buckland forced to clear the ball off the line and seeing the follow up shot fly narrowly over the bar. That proved to be the last real opportunity that Mangotsfield had with Mercieca and Bush looking most likely to score the next goal as the game reached its climax. Clarke did well to bravely stop Bush’s effort, injuring himself in the process, before Mercieca drove another effort wide. Clark’s next save from Mercieca was more comfortable, the shot hit right at him after another promising run.

But despite both side’s efforts, no further goals were scored in the second half and Buckland celebrated a well-deserved 2-0 win over their higher-placed opponents. Buckland are now through to the first of four FA Cup qualifying rounds where they will face Hellenic League side Binfield on the weekend of 8th September.

FULL TIME: Buckland Athletic 2 – 0 Mangotsfield United

“I think we carried on from Tuesday night,” said centre-back Dan Harrison, Buckland’s recent signing from Bideford. “The work rate from the lads was different class. Ryan Bush up top worked his socks off, in the midfield Nick Rudge was quality and I thought as a back four we were pretty solid too so it was a good test against a good team from a higher league.

“I think we’ve got about 12 more rounds until the first round but it’s a great money spinner for the club. Hopefully, in the next round, we can test ourselves again. There are a lot of beatable clubs still in it so it would be good to have a cup run.”

“I thought it was the best we have performed all season,” said manager Craig Duff. “But we had some chances to really kill the game off and on another day, if they get the next goal, the momentum changes. We had three or four glorious chances to get that third goal which, although it’s not game over at three-nil, you’ve got a nice little comfort zone.

“We could probably have then moved up the gears a bit because they would have had to have sent bodies forward. At two-nil, you’re always a bit skeptical. But the boys did well and I don’t remember them creating a chance in the second half which is testament to how well we defended because they are a good team with some good players going forward – you saw that in the first ten minutes. I wasn’t happy how they were passing through the lines, getting in those little pockets and creating openings. But after that, the boys really stepped up and I thought every single one of them was superb, even the two who came on. It’s not ideal changing your team 15 minutes in – twice – when you’re on the front foot and playing well but testament to them they were ready. Nick Rudge was different class, the best I’ve seen him play.”

There was also an impressive performance from young James Moxon making the step up from the reserves side.

“James took a couple of weeks away to get himself fit and ready,” said Duff. “As you’ve seen, he’s playing against a team in the league above and he didn’t look out of shape in there. It’s a hard position to play and they had some good players in there – their captain was superb – and he dealt with all the challenges that were put in front of him.”

Buckland are also benefiting from the return of goalkeeper Kenny Griffiths from injury, a welcome source of stability after having started the season using four different ‘keepers in as many games.

“It’s great to have Ken back,” said Harrison. “You can set your lines five or ten yards higher for free-kicks than you usually would because you can just trust him to come and collect things behind you. His kicking as well. As you saw today, he can boom it which pushes us further up the park.”

Buckland’s next game is on 1st September where they will play Willand Rovers for the second time already this campaign. After having lost 1-0 at Homer’s Heath on the opening day of the season, the Yellows will be looking to carry on their current momentum with a win at Silver Street.

“The first three defeats were disappointing,” said Duff. “We were all gutted and I thought we could have performed better but it was always going to take time.”

“Pre-season wasn’t great due to cancellations and there are a lot of new lads here as well, including myself, so it takes time to gel,” said Harrison. “We’re probably starting the season five games behind where we wanted to be but now we’ve got a way of playing, of getting the lads to do what we want to do and hopefully we can kick on from here. But every game is a battle; there’s no game where you’re going to win by three, four or five.

“I know Craig well from playing at Bideford and playing against him when he was at Taunton and Tiverton. That’s the reason I signed: we’re singing from the same hymn sheet. We both want promotion and to get into that Southern League as quickly as we can but that comes with hard work and obviously, with the start we had, there’s pressure but I think the lads have dug in now and hopefully we can kick on from here.”

TOUGH TEST: Buckland Athletic overcame a young, athletic Bristol City side 1-0 in a promising pre-season. Photograph contributed by club (c)HML Photographic

As far as opening fixtures go, Buckland Athletic Ladies couldn’t have asked for a tougher start to their inaugural campaign in the FA Women’s National League South West. Grant Fisher’s side will travel to Keynsham Town this afternoon, a team that many fancy for the title.

But Buckland have title aspirations of their own and if their pre-season preparations are anything to go by, this is no fanciful target. In particular, the 1-0 home victory over Women’s Premier League side Bristol City should have been an eye-opener, Laura Gough’s early second-half lob from outside of the box giving the Yellows the win over a side featuring no fewer than nine youth internationals: Aimee Watson, Lucia Carpanini, Sam Wynne, Ellie Mai Sanford and Anais Trinci (Wales Under-17/19); Eartha Cumings (Scotland Under-19s); Libby Gilmore (Northern Ireland Under-17s) and Georgia Wilson (England Under-17s)

Even with the caveat that this was ‘only’ a pre-season game, that was some achievement against a very young, fit side.

“We knew that they were going to bring a young side but one that would still pose many different challenges to what we had faced in the pre-season to date,” said first team manager and Director of Ladies and Girls football Grant Fisher. “The message before they went out there was firstly, enjoy it. To have a team like that come to us is always a big event for us and the community. We are so happy and honoured that Bristol City bring down a team to us every pre-season and give our local community the opportunity to watch them on a local stage.

“Secondly, it was to not be scared of what they might bring because ultimately there was no reward for winning the game. It was about testing ourselves against players that will, without doubt, become Super League and international players in one to two years. You’ve just got to look at Lauren Hemp who just scored a hat-trick in the Women’s Under-20 World Cup and now she’s playing for Manchester City. Last season she was here at Buckland on our fantastic pitch.”

“I think the team that we have now is far more established,” continued Fisher. “We have players in there who understand how we play and understand my way as a manager. We’ve been together for a longer period now and have signed some great recruits in the summer. We’ve improved dramatically in terms of how we play football. We’ve got players buying into the Buckland way and I feel we are stronger as a team than we ever were before, without a doubt.”

“We have come quite far,” echoed captain Hayley Chamberlain. “But there’s always something to improve on. If we keep working hard together then it will all come together. It’s always in Grant’s mind to go for promotion and, with a reasonably new team, we’re quite confident.”

So who have Buckland brought into their SWWFL Premier winning side?

“Firstly I should mention Alex Sheppard who was last year’s Torquay United captain,” said Fisher. “She is a phenomenal, quick, brave centre-half who will be a massive addition to the spine of the squad alongside Jodie Chubb. Both are only in their 20s and have many great years to come at this football club.

“Secondly, in comes Adele Rogers. She is a full-back, either side by trade, but can play in multiple positions and will be a great utility player. That was something we didn’t really have a lot of.

“Then we add in Sarah Smith who is currently taking her Level 2 coaching badge and will be involved with the girls, coaching the teams. She has a super left foot and will bring great balance to the team because the left foot is something we are not blessed with. She can run all day, has huge energy, great tenacity and will be another tremendous signing for this season.

“Last but not least we mustn’t forget Taylor Beales who suffered with health problems at the end of last season and has just signed for the club. Only 18 years’ old, she tackles like a rock, she is an absolute brute force and with some work she has great potential which can be unlocked.”

“If a team isn’t aspiring to win the league then I think there’s a problem, full stop.” – Grant Fisher, Buckland LFC Manager and Director of Ladies and Girls Football

On the subject of potential, Buckland are about more than the headline-grabbing first team with a development team and rapidly growing youth section adding strength and stability to the club. The development team had a fine season last year, winning the Devon FA Women’s Supplementary Cup and finishing runners-up in the Devon Women’s League Premier Division. The under-13s (moving up to under-14s) won the Devon Girl’s League and cup double with a 100% record and have now entered the Pioneer Youth League which, until now, has featured boys’ teams only.

“We never envisioned that it would come to this stage so quickly,” said Fisher. “It’s been an absolute rollercoaster and we learn every day about what we are doing, about things that should be done and what’s right and what’s not.

“The first team’s rise has been tremendous. They are the flagship for our club. They are the ones that everyone sees in the limelight.

“The development team this year, I think, will be the strongest they have ever been. They had a super result against St. Nicholas Reserves, beating them 7-0. I know that Al and Nyssa have done a super job and I think they are going to be real contenders to get promoted into the South West Women’s Football League Division One.

“The youth section speaks for itself. We have now got six county players at under-14 level out of 14 girls which is truly outstanding. They all deserve it, they have all worked hard and even those who didn’t get in are super talents who have stuck together through thick and thin. They will embark on a terribly tough journey as they go into the Pioneer League. It is a brave one which will develop them as players. We are hugely proud that they are willing to go and take on that challenge but they will become far greater players no matter what anyone may think.

“As for the under-12s, I’ve watched them many times and I love what Mark is doing with that team. I think they play some super football at times. I think they have some enthusiastic, tremendously good players who have got so much potential. They are infectious, they are hungry and they make you have a smile on your face every time you watch them.

“As for the under-10s, we’ll soon see what’s to come. We have super coaching staff in place, loads of girls wanting to join already and I don’t see why they won’t become another huge part of this family that we’ve got at this club.”

This bodes well for the long-term future of the club as a force in the ladies’ game but what of their short-term potential? Plymouth Argyle made the step up to the third tier of the women’s pyramid and now stand on the fringe of the Women’s Super League itself. Could Fisher’s side follow the Pilgrims into the National League Southern Division by achieving promotion at their first attempt?

“If a team isn’t aspiring to win the league then I think there’s a problem, full stop, whether you think you’re the best or worst team,” said Fisher. “We will strive to be at the top of the league. We have a tremendously difficult opening fixture against a team which is tipped to win the league purely because of their budget. They have the ability to bring in much higher quality players. In our squad, we only have six players who have ever played at this level in their careers.

“For us, it’s a much bigger challenge but I know what’s in my dressing room and I know that this team can get promoted if it wants to do it. There is no doubt about it.”

Buckland Athletic can now breathe a collective sigh of relief as they made up for a disappointing start to their league campaign with a resounding home victory in the FA Cup.

In contrast to their previous game, Buckland were in control of this game from early on and should have been ahead at the break. Ryan Bush, making his first start of the season, was looking dangerous throughout but despite creating numerous chances, Buckland’s finishing let them down and Pewsey Vale managed to go in with their goal intact.

Buckland have endured a poor run in the FA Cup over recent seasons but when Dan Harrison headed home Lewis Tasker’s corner within a minute of the restart, it was beginning to look as if the  Extra Preliminary Round jinx was finally going to be broken. Having said that, Marko Radovanovic, Buckland’s third goalkeeper in as many games, was called on to make a great save to keep the Yellows ahead. A Vale goal would have been against the run of play and Buckland finally got the second they deserved when Les Afful’s corner was only partially cleared and Tasker smashed the ball into the roof of Wes Clarke’s goal with less than 20 minutes remaining. Forced to push up, Pewsey Vale were undone for the third and final time when Richard Groves won possession and slotted the ball through to Nick Rudge. The latter spotted Clarke off his line and lobbed the goalkeeper to seal a reasonably comfortable win.

Buckland will face Southern League Bristol side Mangotsfield United in the Preliminary round at Homers Heath on August 25th. First, they will switch focus back to the league and Saturday’s away trip to newly promoted Roman St Glass.

Buckland: M. Radovanovic, J. Richards, L. Tasker, R. Groves, D. Harrison, L. Head (c), G. Mercieca, N. Rudge, R. Bush, L. Afful, C. Duff, L. Drew, C. McPhee, T. Down, N. Barker.

Pewsey Vale: W. Clarke, K. Lever, G. Plank, J. Force-Jones, T. Taylor, C. Marsden, J. Turner (c), R. Wilkinson, L. Smith, H. Lowe, J. Blake, R. Cain, J. Gentleman, M. Martin.

Buckland’s search for a first goal and point of the season goes on after a goal in each half from Jake Llewellyn earned Bridgwater a deserved win at Fairfax Park.

Bridgwater’  new signing Tom Ellis gave the visitors something to think about early on when a long throw was headed over Dom Aplin’s goal by Josh White who soon after made a save from the same player. At the other end, a strong Robins defence was proving a barrier to any Buckland attacks.

With half an hour gone, Bridgwater took the lead that their chances had merited, Jack Taylor’s cross from the right superbly headed across Aplin by Jake Llewellyn and into the right-hand side of the goal. After an Aplin error nearly gifted Dave Pearse a goal, Buckland finally started to make their mark, Richard Groves firing narrowly wide and player-manager Craig Duff’s low shot saved by Jake Viney.

After a positive start to the second half by the home side, Ellis once again caused mayhem with his throwing prowess. Buckland couldn’t clear the ball and Llewellyn found a gap in the packed box to dispatch a fine half-volley to give Aplin no chance. Bridgwater had several good chances to put the game out of sight, Aplin recovering well to deny Taylor a goal following a defensive mix-up, Sam Towler volleying wide from Llewellyn’s cross and substitute Jake Brown testing Aplin’s gloves. A tame Groves effort was all the Yellows could offer as the game became scrappy and bad-tempered towards its end. In a bizarre end to the game, new signing Ian Bellinger came on in the final minute only to be immediately dismissed for an incident as Bridgwater attempted to add a third from a corner.

Buckland take a break from their league campaign as they entertain Pewsey Vale in the FA Cup on Saturday, hoping to end their run of Extra Preliminary Round exits.

Bridgwater: J. Viney, D. Thorne, S. Camper, M. Duffy, T. Ellis, J. White, S. Towler, M. Armstrong, J. Taylor, D. Pearse, J. Llewellyn, K. Robinson, I. Bellinger, J. Brown.

Buckland: D. Aplin, J. Richards, T. Down, C. Duff, D. Harrison, L. Head (c), M. Newbould, D. Griffiths, L. Afful, R. Groves, C. Johansen, L. Tasker, M. Roberts, R. Bush.

INTERNATIONAL CLASS: Former Bristol City striker and PFL Women’s Young Player of the Year Lauren Hemp in action in last season’s pre-friendly with Buckland.  (c)MiraclePR

Buckland Athletic LFC take on their toughest opponents yet as Bristol City WFC, who play their football in the top tier of women’s football, visit Homers Heath on Wednesday evening for a pre-season friendly.

It is a repeat of last year’s pre-season fixture but whereas it was the development and youth team who made the trip down that time, this time it will be the first team. The teams are also a division closer this season with Buckland achieving promotion to the FA Women’s National League South West Division after their 100 per cent league campaign last season. This puts them in the fourth tier of Women’s football and among the top 100 ladies clubs in the country.

Bristol City are in the Women’s Super League and will play the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool when their campaign kicks off in September.

Last year, Bristol’s line-up included England Under-19 international and current PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year Lauren Hemp. Lauren lit up Homer’s Heath with a dazzling display before going on to score 9 goals for Bristol City in a solid season which saw them finish 8th.

Lauren won’t be among the stars on Wednesday night – she has since joined Manchester City – but with Bristol boasting internationals from the Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland and Wales – as well as numerous England youth internationals – there is certainly going to be plenty of talent on display.

Whatever the result (Buckland lost 5-1 last season), Wednesday night’s game is sure to be a fantastic showcase of women’s football and valuable preparation as the Yellows look to secure a fourth successive title.

Buckland Athletic returned to Homers Heath for the first time in almost two months and it meant they could finally unveil their much-anticipated new signing: club mascot Barry the Buck. And the Yellow faithful came out in numbers with around 200 witnessing a fine first half display as Buckland overcame Odd Down of Bath 3-0 for three precious points towards their Southern League promotion hopes.

We managed to prize Barry away from his herd of new admirers to find out how his first day was going, with translation from deer provided by Buckland’s media and communications manager Jamie Sinclair.

Jamie Sinclair: I worked with Torquay United as a community volunteer and worked my way up through the ranks. I met Steve when he was a mascot at Torquay United (Ed: Gilbert the Gull of course!), and he always brought great value to the crowds and the children.

As Buckland are a lower league club, in the Toolstation League, we have been looking at ways to build the club, our attendances and also to engage with the community and the children. So we thought it would be a great idea to get a mascot so we can engage children, make the whole sport enjoyable and to get more younger players through the ranks.

As you can see, today’s gate is pretty good, it’s near 200, so we’re 25 per cent up on last year’s attendance so things are going great. It’s a family club, Buckland Athletic. There’s never any trouble here, the fans are lovely and we just want to build a community football club with a good vibe and is supportive of young players.

The club’s building and we’ve got a bright future.

Clubnets: How is Barry finding the reception on his first day. I can see he is already engaging with parents and children.

JS: There’s never a good time to start so we thought we would just take the bull by the horns (Ed: or the deer by the antlers, as Barry would say) and do it. You can see that the kids here are happy, they’re smiling and there’s been a lot of laughter and fun. Having a mascot at the club will enhance the match day experience and engage with young people because no football club can survive without young people coming through the ranks.

Torquay haven’t really tended to the younger side to get the Pop Side cycle right so there will come a point in time where you will stall for fans. The whole point with Steve and my involvement in the club is to get our younger generation in Newton Abbot and Teignbridge.

You’ve got Plymouth, Exeter City and Torquay but we are the strongest, most building team in this area. We’ve got to work hard over the next four or five years to get a few promotions but hopefully one day we will be playing Torquay United in the National South or the National League or, hopefully one day, in the League.

That’s what we’re aiming for as a club.

Clubnets: It’s not just any old mascot, it’s Gilbert the Gull coming over here from Torquay. Is that a deliberate PR thing to compare the two clubs?

JS: No, not at all. We’re not in competition with Torquay in the slightest. Buckland were formed in 1978. Their old ground was basically on the way in to Newton Abbot from Teignmouth where you’ve got Buckland estate on the side there. Back in the day there was some wasteland there where deer used to roam – hence the fact it was called Buckland.

We’ve got a lovely stadium here. There will be redevelopment in years to come and houses around here so this will be the central hub of the community. Hopefully we can build this as the community grows and hopefully, in years to come, there will be Exeter City, Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United and Buckland Athletic all being the pride of Devon.

Clubnets: As a club, Buckland are hot on development and bringing young people through. It’s a nice touch to have the same thing with the mascots with Junior Buck. Is that unique?

JS: It is unique. It just goes to show our statement of intent for younger supporters. Children cost a pound to come in here and we want them to enjoy themselves and tell their friends. It’s a lovely, safe family atmosphere here.

We are one of the first Toolstation League teams to get a mascot but I think we’re possibly the first team in the lower leagues to actually have two mascots, one engaging with children and one with the team and players. Barry the Buck will improve our community presence and ultimately the club in a stronger position than we are in now.

Clubnets: Southern League promotion is still on the cards. Can Barry the Buck help motivate the ’13th player’ to get them over the line?

JS: We hope so. I’ve said that for years: the crowd are the 13th player. When they get behind the team and they really need that extra bit of encouragement and support.

We’ve had a lot of cancellations due to a waterlogged pitch and a lot of teams in our division are still on a cup run. So we have got a big chance of progressing as far as we can but, like every game we play here, we play to win. We’re not here to draw or lose so we will be kicking and screaming to the end to try and get the promotion that this club deserves.

Clubnets: Last question because I don’t want to keep Barry away from his engagements. On a day like this, where it’s a bit damp and grey, does it make an extra difference to have a mascot who can build that atmosphere?

JS: I’ve seen 30 or 40 children here smiling and happy. There are more children here than there have been in recent seasons. There’s no good time to start anything like this but today’s been a very positive day with a lot of positive feedback and a lot of happy faces. What more could we ask for? Three points on the pitch today and everyone goes home happy.