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Knapman Stars on Bucks Debut

A five-star debut performance from Buckland Athletic’s Natasha Knapman saw the National League side make it through to the semi-final of the Devon Women’s Senior Cup despite determined opposition from a well-drilled and fired up Torquay United.

The experienced Teignbridge side were always going to be firm favourites to make it through but any ideas they might have had about having an easy ride through will have been quoshed just seven minutes in when skipper Daisy Self fired Torquay in front.

The equaliser came after 20 minutes when Sarah Louise Stacey’s flick was finished neatly into the bottom left by Knapman, a taster of what was to come from the Buckland goalscorer. Five minutes later, Buckland took the lead with another cool finish from Knapman.

The Buckland celebrations had barely died down when lively Torquay striker Ellie Bishop broke free on the left and took aim at goal. Bond could only parry the shot into the path of Danni Wyatt who made no mistake.

A third goal in as many minutes saw Buckland retake the lead, Megan Wood’s left-sided cross headed past Alina Wright as Knapman wrapped up a first-half hat-trick.

After that flurry of activity, the game calmed down and Torquay found themselves still very much in the game as the half-time whistle blew.

If Torquay had started the first half on the front foot it was Buckland determined to press home their advantage as the second half got under way. When Alex Sheppard nodded home a corner just two minutes after the restart, the game finally began to slip away from the hosts.

Regardless, Torquay’s youthful side, packed with teenagers, kept battling for every ball, forcing to Buckland to raise their game – which they did. Four became five on the hour mark when the industrious Sarah Smith put in a cross which Knapman tapped home.

Then, two minutes from time, Knapman completed her afternoon’s work with another header, this time from a corner. The icing on the cake came in stoppage time as Zoe Cunningham picked up the ball from just inside her own half and dribbled her way to the edge of box before beating the goalkeeper for a final scoreline of 7-2. Buckland will play Knapman’s former club Plymouth Argyle in the semi-final.

There was extra intrigue surrounding the match with Grant Fisher now in charge of Torquay after having formed the women’s and girls’ club at Buckland and then taken the women’s team into the National League, winning several titles and trophies along the way.

“I’ve never been in this situation before,” said Buckland manager Jamie Phillip. “It’s been an absolute mind battle, for our girls especially with the situation of him being ex-manager, so I felt like they were one up already at the start of the game – and then they did go one up.

“I think that helped fire us up a little bit throughout the game. So it was a strange one but it’s been a good ride and I think they’ve got what they need to push on now.”

Phillip praised Torquay for their performance. “They did shock me a bit. They had some great energy and they’ve got some great players as well. The energy didn’t stop throughout the whole 90 minutes which was good from them. They did well. They should be proud of themselves today.”

Despite having had Natasha Knapman on their books all season, this was her first competitive game for Buckland and the former Argyle, Exeter and Yeovil forward wasted no time in making an impression. “That’s a great start for her and hopefully many more to come if she can keep injury free,” said Phillip who would not be drawn on whether his side would be looking for promotion next season.

“We’ve got to finish this season first, regroup and look at what we want to achieve and what we can achieve and be realistic within the squad,” he said. “We all want to win games. All the girls are great, they want to win every time they play. That’s all I’m going to say at the moment.”

“The start of the game was the one I wanted,” said Grant Fisher. “I think the first half in general was positive and we battled and kept it a real close contest. The thing I always get into my teams is that we never give up and that will live with me wherever I am.”

Fisher was also keen to point out the gulf in experience between the two sides. “At one point, we had seven under-18s on the pitch and that is against a well established side,” he said. “This game was never going to define us as a football club or a team. It’s really early on in the journey so we’re impressed with how we competed for long periods of the game. It was always going to take its toll towards the end.

“The objective is to elevate ourselves to National League level. It’s going to be a tough and long journey, we know that. It’s a big opportunity for us. At the moment we are the poor relation in Devon. Torquay United needs a team in the National League and my number one job is to win the league and take this club to the next level.”

Fisher achieved exactly that with Buckland and spoke with fondness about his time at the club.

“There will always be a lot of love for those players because we went on such an incredible journey and we built it from nothing,” he said. Time will tell if he can repeat the feat with Torquay.

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Buckland Athletic WFC 2 – 0 Southampton Women

Match report contributed by Buckland Athletic WFC

This was a season opener that was well worth the extended wait, as Buckland delivered a memorable performance to see off an extremely talented and well drilled Southampton side.

The match got off to a cagey start, as both sides battled for supremacy, before Mollie Taylor, on her competitive debut after making the summer switch from Plymouth Argyle, made a typically solid block. From the resulting counter attack, fellow summer signing Meg Wood delivered a fine cross which was headed agonisingly over the bar by Sarah Stacey.

This was the start of a solid spell for the Yellows, with Natalie Warman looking especially dangerous on the right wing, first having a cross blocked then just failing to get on the end of a searching ball in behind the Reds’ back three from newly appointed vice captain Leah Brooks. Alex Sheppard was imperious throughout, cutting out numerous breaks. The game was a physical encounter , with the referee being a very busy man throughout.

One free kick, delivered with the usual aplomb by Alex Hugh, just wouldn’t quite drop for Courtney Butt, Wood or Stacey as all had efforts blocked. Tempers soon flared on the touch line, as Southampton’s dugout felt aggrieved as a late challenge on Abbi Bond in the Buckland goal was met with a yellow card for their striker. However, on 29 minutes, frustration became elation on the sidelines, but this time in the home dugout, as Warman collected the ball on the right and delivered a fierce low drive into the bottom left corner to give Buckland a deserved lead.

Southampton reacted to the setback, pressing high and carving out chances, mostly from set pieces, one free kick which was plucked from the air by skipper Bond. The away side looked to rile the home team up, with clever fouls and a high press, which eventually took its toll, as fellow summer recruit from Argyle, Zoe Cunningham, was sin binned rather harshly by the man in the middle for answering back to a decision. Then, Bond proved why she won Players’ Player of the Year by pulling off a simply unbelievable save to keep the score at 1-0.

Summer signing Wood, who swapped Somerset for Devon over the summer, joining from newly named Yeovil United, was then hauled down as she broke free, earning Southampton’s captain a yellow card.

Half time Buckland 1-0 Southampton Women

Head coach Jamie Phillip made a personnel change at the break, with Maria Warman replacing Alex Hugh in the back line. The Yellows started fast, with Brooks breaking through and placing a shot just past the right hand upright. Stacey then fired a looping volley which dipped agonisingly on to the roof of the net, before the lively N.Warman pressed well, forcing a chance from a Red goal kick.

Southampton started to grow into the half, forcing a string of corners, one of which saw a volley skied over the bar. Bucks hit back, first with Brooks being caught offside as she attempted to burst through from midfield, before good interplay between Stacey and Warman saw the latter have a pass through to Wood cut out with a last ditch block. Bond pulled off two more fine saves from a string of corners, before Warman played another ball through to Wood, but she could only force a save from the ‘keeper.

Wood then hit a speculative volley from a good 30 yards out, but the ‘keeper pulled off a stupendous diving save to deny what would have certainly been a Goal of the Season contender. Buckland were getting a lot of success from pressing high, as they created chance after chance from intercepting as their opponents looked to play out from the back. A second change was made, as Bucks’ fourth debutant of the day, Hana Bennett came on for Stacey, another tactical shift, but it gave them a valuable burst of energy, as Southampton started to rally.

Wood gave away a tactical foul, earning herself a yellow card in the process. Natalie Warman was replaced by Carmen Morison late on after an excellent shift out wide. Morison’s energy and movement caused problems for the tired back three, before Bennett capped off a fine day with a debut goal, a cool, calm and composed finish when one on one with the ‘keeper.

As the full time whistle sounded, the joy was clear to behold on the Yellow faces, the perfect start to possibly the strangest season any of us will ever see!

Full time Buckland 2- 0 Southampton Women

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Buckland Disappointed to Draw a Blank at Cheltenham

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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Buckland Call for Business Support Ahead of FAWPL Campaign

Buckland’s Courtney Butt in action in January’s 3-0 win over Exeter City. (c)MiraclePR

SWWFL Champions Buckland Athletic Ladies FC are looking for businesses to support them as they prepare to move into the FA Women’s National League (formerly FA Women’s Premier League).

“We are still looking for business to join our journey in the @FA_WPL with opportunities from as little as £50 a year,” the club announced on Twitter today. “Please get in touch and support this local ladies and girls club balfc1@gmail.com or DM us #DNA #COYY #WeRiseTogether”