Photography by Dave Roach
Report by Matt Green – Sport South Devon
Buckland Athletic Ladies travelled to Cheltenham Town Ladies in the FA Women’s National League South West on Sunday Afternoon for their second league game of the season and came away with their first point after a 2-2 draw.
Having suffered a heavy defeat in their first outing a few weeks earlier, the ladies bounced back with a good cup win last Sunday so manager Grant Fisher’s team went into the fixture in high spirits against a side with two wins from two before kick-off.
Fisher had to make three enforced changes to his starting line-up for the game and the visitors started slowly having to get used to the surface which was very difficult in areas and also battle against the wind in the first half.
Buckland led to their own downfall after 15 minutes and found themselves a goal behind. “We gave away a sloppy goal after we rushed playing out from the back and got caught out by a lively Cheltenham striker who squared the ball to be finished into an empty net,” Fisher told Sport South Devon.
After weathering a 25 minute storm from Cheltenham, Buckland grew into the game and started to dominate and create a few chances. Having seen a couple of opportunities go begging, the yellows capitalised on their first corner when Courtney Butt got across the front post and placed a super header back across the goal and into the roof of the net, after a super delivery from Leah Brooks.
Having got back on level terms, Fisher’s ladies started to dominate the game and played at a high tempo. Just before half time, the visitors got a deserved second goal when Natalie Warman finished off a great 20-yard strike into the bottom corner of the net.
Athletic started the second half as they had finished the first and saw a number of chances go begging which could have killed off the game. However, on 70 minutes another mistake led to the hosts having an empty net to finish into and level the scores up.
The equaliser gave Cheltenham further impetus and Buckland defended well for the last 20 minutes. “Their equaliser gave them a second wind and by the time it finished we were thankful to get a draw,” admitted Fisher.
Following the result, Fisher told Sport South Devon: “This game could have been very different as we dominated for the majority of the game. However, we cannot be disappointed with a draw away from home against a good Cheltenham side.”
Buckland now move on to two home games when they welcome Brislington to Homer’s Heath and then there’s the visit of Ilminster in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.
“We would love to receive all your support and keep pushing these ladies in the FA Women’s National League. We are very appreciative of all your support.” Fisher added.
MORE BUCKLAND LFC NEWS
On the same day, Buckland Athletic LFC Development side started their 2018/19 Devon Women’s Premier League campaign with a victory over Activate LFC. Activate were relegated from the South West Women’s Football League South West Division One last season while Buckland were runners up in the DWPL.
The Under-12 Girl’s side also started their new season and came away from Cullompton Rangers with an incredible 18-0 win!