Category: News

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Early Hannaford Strike Earns Bucks a Point

Despite the recent poor run of form there was an air of optimism around the Buckland Women as they once again took to the road but this time with two new additions to the side: namely, returning central defender Jodie Chubb and a new acquisition in young forward Carmen Morison.  

Following a week off, which allowed for some extra training along with an analysis session, Buckland Women took to the M5 as they travelled to Brislington Ladies F.C., a game that would see Manager Vanessa Casey and Head Coach George Hamill shuffle the pack due to the absentee of Leah Brooks, and the new arrivals. This saw Jodie’s inclusion reuniting last season’s centre-back partnership with Alex Sheppard, Jana Richards moving to the left hand side to allow Sarah Smith to be deployed in a more forward left winger role.  On the right, Alex Hugh retained her starting position behind Emily Hannaford who was favoured on the right wing, with Gabi Trays, Maria Warman and Captain Courtney Butt completing the midfield. They were all tasked with supplying the ever present Sarah Stacey up front.  The team was completed by last week’s Player of the Match Abigail Bond who would be hopeful to continue her good form of recent weeks.

This change of personnel seemed to have worked as early pressure on the Brislington goal yielded a few chances before, on the eighth minute, the ball fell to Hannaford who powerfully struck the ball home from the right hand side of goal. The pressure continued with good penetrating football down both wings. However, on the ninth minute, the home side had a chance to equalise after Bucks conceded a penalty when the referee deemed an aerial challenge unfair. However, it wasn’t to be as in-form Bond wouldn’t be beaten and made an excellent save low down to her right hand side. More chances fell to the away side as their pressure continued and, on the twenty-second minute, Smith hit the crossbar angle from a wide position. Again, in the thirty-fifth minute, Smith narrowly missed out stretching the lead by hitting the inside of the ‘keeper’s left hand post and, only minutes later, Stacey narrowly missed the target from a free-kick just outside the 18 yard box.  If truth be known, Buckland should have been out of sight by half time but would have to settle for a 1-0 lead going into the break.

In the second half, the onlooking crowd were surely expecting more of the same and after some stern words at half time about being clinical in front of goal, Buckland were surprised by the Brislington resolve which saw a swing in the pendulum of momentum towards the home side. This pressure, and the building frustration with the Buckland camp, saw, on the fifty-first minute, Alex Sheppard demonstrating the new Sin Bin rule for the first time this season, which enabled the home side to take advantage, in the fifty-second minute, by converting the resulting free-kick, making it one apiece.  Shortly after, on the fifty-sixth minute, Gabi Trays made way for Abigail Meyer following an injury sustained early on in the contest which has now been confirmed as a broken toe which may see the midfielder miss out in the coming weeks.  Further substitutions, on the sixty-fifth and seventy-seventh minutes, saw Alex Hugh make way for Natalie Warman and Emily Hannaford make way for new signing Carmen Morison respectively.  Despite prolonged pressure in the second half, Brislington were unable to break through. However, they looked the more likely to convert until the Buckland Women came back into the game with ten to go and again narrowly missed a couple of good chances.  With no further incidents to report, the game ended with the spoils being shared.  

A much improved performance on previous weeks and with tougher tests to come, the gelling and refocus continues along with a much-needed composure in the final third.  

Next up for the Buckland Women is a home tie against Swindon Town this ‪coming Saturday‬.

Determined Visitors Take Three Points from Buckland

Buckland in action last season at home to Poole Town. (c) MiraclePR

Not a great day at the office for the ladies as they returned to Homers Heath. We started the game the stronger of the two sides, passing the ball around well but never really threatening in the final third.

Neither side created much in the first half. Although it was end to end, there was no final product for either side.

The second half started much the same as the first with Buckland on top but a lapse in concentration and poor clearance across the box left it wide open for Cheltenham to put the ball in the net on the 48th minute. We came close from a couple of corners but couldn’t convert them. Abi Meyer made way for Emily Hannaford on 58 to get some fresh legs on the wings which saw a slightly brighter spell for the home team but to no avail. Nat Warman came off on the 72nd minute, replaced by Megan Strong, and we changed formation, Alex Hugh pushed up to help Sarah Stacey up top. Bucks could have pulled it back to a draw in the 90th minute after some good Buckland pressure but Sarah Stacey couldn’t slot the cross home.

We just weren’t at the races today and we simply didn’t want it as much as the visitors; we need to step it up if we want to get any results from our next two very tough games.

abigail meyer buckland athletic lfc poole town lfc fa womens national league

Fantastic Bucks Push Keynsham All The Way in League Cup

Abigail Meyer in action against Poole Ladies last season. (c)MiraclePR

Despite losing 2-1 to Keynsham who play in the league above, Buckland played some fantastic football.

The visitors started the stronger of the teams, Abigail Meyer (pictured) finding a great pass across the box on the 13th minute for Sarah’s Stacey to hit first time giving the goalkeeper no chance. Courtney Butt and Maria Warman dominated the middle of the park and pushed play down the channels utilising the pace of Natalie Warman and Meyer who had the run on the full-backs. With the blistering heat, both sets of players tired towards the end of the first half but Keynsham’s Number 15 came on the blind side of Buckland’s defence, slotting past Abigail Bond after 40 minutes to make the game level at half time.

Buckland started the second half strong with some great play from Emily Hannaford who dropped into the starting line-up in place of the unavailable Leah Brooks. She switched the ball to Natalie Warman who put in a great ball to Stacey whose shot hit the inside of the post and found its way to safety. The visitors continued to dominate and looked the better side, our two centre-halves Alex Sheppard and Jana Richards frustrating Keynsham’s formidable number 10, not allowing her any time or space. Keynsham almost took the lead on the 68th minute with a long range shot hitting the post but Bond managed to catch the rebound. A surging run from left back Sarah Smith, on 70 minutes, saw another good save from the Keynsham ‘keeper. With the game looking to go to extra time, Hannaford made way for Megan Strong in the 75th minute, to give Bucks some fresh legs, and the attacking surge continued from both teams! Another good performance from right-back Alex Hugh was dampened slightly with a yellow card in the 88th minute for a slight push on Keynsham’s winger. The game was finely poised with both teams pushing hard to avoid another 30 minutes but, in the 90th minute, Keynsham’s midfielder fired home a long range shot to seal the win.

Overall, I couldn’t be prouder of the 12 girls that travelled and gave their all.

sarah louise stacey buckland athletic wfc

Stacey Hat-Trick Helps Buckland WFC to Opening Day Victory

Hat-trick heroine Sarah Stacey in action last season. Photo (c) Dave’s World Photography

The ladies have in previous seasons started nervously but it wasn’t the case for the first game of this season.

The girls settled in well, getting used to passing the ball around, and the first goal game after some good pressure by Natalie Warman on the Maidenhead ‘keeper leaving Sarah Stacey with a tap in on 14 minutes. Buckland continued to control the game with Maria Warman breaking up any Maidenhead possession. The second goal came on 40 minutes with a fantastic cross from new signing Alex Hugh finding Sarah Stacey.

The second half started just as the first had finished with Buckland in full control, Natalie Warman slotting home in the 46th minute after some lovely play in the middle of the park by captain Courtney Butt and Leah Brooks.

Stacey then completed her hat-trick three minutes later.

Maidenhead then lost their ‘keeper on the 56th minute with a straight red after handling outside the area to block Abi Meyer’s strike.

The home team started to look a little more dangerous when they went down to ten; Abigail Bond in the Buckland Goal didn’t have much to do but kept her concentration when needed, her defensive line marshalled well by Alex Sheppard and Jana Richards.

With a slight knee strain, Natalie Warman made way for new signing Megan Strong who came on at left back to leave Sarah Smith to push up the pitch on the left wing. 

The final change came on the 75th minute when new duel signing Sian Miller came on up top to replace Sarah Stacey. 

Despite some tired legs the ladies saw the game out well. 

Buckland now prepare for a stern test at National League South side Keynsham in next Sunday’s FA Women’s National League Cup.

buckland athletic lfc v bristol city wfc

Historic Day for Buckland Athletic as Ladies Kick Off National League Campaign

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.

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YOUNG STAR: Lauren Hemp of Manchester City pictured playing for Bristol at Buckland in last-season’s friendly. (c)MiraclePR

“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.”

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LOOKING FORWARD: Captain Hayley Chamberlain is relishing the challenge of the National League. (c)MiraclePR

“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.

laura gough buckland athletic lfc
GOAL MACHINE: Laura Gough will be sharpening her sights ahead of the trip to Keynsham. (c)MiraclePR

“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.”

 

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Buckland Ladies Take on WPL Stars as Bristol Women Visit Homers

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.