SLIM PICKINGS: Not even the prolific Sarah Louise Stacey could find the net as Bucks went down 1-0 to Cheltenham. (c) MiraclePR

Buckland started the brighter of the two teams, seemingly adjusting better to the bobbly surface presented in front of them and forcing an early save from Cheltenham’s ‘keeper when Courtney Butt cut in from the right wing. Cheltenham started to get to grips with the game, creating some good crossing opportunities in wide areas but failed to find a red and white shirt in the middle. Cheltenham then broke down the left, thinking they’d carved out a good shooting opportunity, which was well saved by Abbi in goal, despite the fact the Cheltenham winger was clearly offside, a fact confirmed by a swift flag from the official. Buckland then began to gain their foothold back in the game, when Courtney played a great ball out to Jana, who delivered a good ball in, which was dealt with by their ‘keeper. In a half where Buckland created lots of chances, the best chance fell to Sarah Stacey, who cut in from the right after a good ball over the top before unleashing a ferocious shot with her left foot just over the bar. After a tense opening half an hour, Buckland forced a corner after some quick thinking from Leah Brooks, picked out Maria Warman, who created another chance for Sarah whose shot was deflected wide by the goalkeeper. Cheltenham, however, dealt with the corner and delivered a sucker punch. A ball over the top found a gap the defence, which they were able to exploit, as a shot nestled in the back of the Buckland goal. As the half drew to a close, a shot from Brooks was deflected wide by the defender, forcing another corner. Cheltenham were able to deal with it and the half drew to a close with the score at 1-0.

The second half began with a frenzy as Buckland forced early chances with Stacey unable to loft a difficult opportunity over the goslkeeper’s head. Buckland continued to apply the pressure as a change in tactic from manager Jamie Phillip appeared to be having an effect. Despite the difficult conditions on a very bumpy pitch, Buckland were the far superior team technically, as some good interplay in midfield forged them more chances. With 20 minutes to go, after some tireless running into the channels, Abi Meyer was withdrawn in a tactical switch which saw the dangerous Jana moved into a more attacking role. Within five minutes, she had created two opportunities on goal, one for her new strike partner Stacey, who wasn’t quite able to direct the shot goalbound, before a mazy run created an opportunity for herself, which she put just over. Carmen Morison was then harshly booked for re-entering the field of play after treating herself for a bloodied nose, despite the fact the referee had restarted play without her actually leaving the field. Buckland pressed high, creating more opportunities; however, a lack of clear cut shooting chances ultimately meant Cheltenham clung on to a 1-0 win. Buckland made the long journey back from Gloucestershire unsure how they weren’t able to take at least a point away from todays game.

Report supplied by Buckland Athletic WFC