Castle flies in and Buckland get back on track at Cribbs

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC

Flying in from Ireland on Friday morning, Buckland Athletic’s director of football Adam Castle met a couple of prospective managers – before taking his side to Cribbs in Bristol the following day for their second Western League win of the season.

Castle and his assistants Ben Robinson and Steve Giles have now overseen two wins in two games, following on from the 5-0 midweek defeat of Ivybridge Town in the Devon Bowl.

Among the players starting at Cribbs were Charlie Johansen and Josh Webber, two players who had left the club under former manager Craig Duff, and more who had decided to play for the reserves in the meantime.

Even with defenders Liam Head and Dan Harrison awayon holiday, Buckland had enough quality and strength in depth to survive a late fight back by Cribbs – to garner an important three points to add to their previous three they had won in their previous five Premier Division games.

The club once again then turning the clocks back to improve the future.

Johansen returned from his brief spell at Peninsula League club Bovey Tracey to score the opening minute.

Jame Richards made it 2-0 with a great strike on 20 minutes.

Cribbs pulled a goal back through Marcus Kelly before half time and it was 2-2 on 76 minutes when Lewis Hedges scored an equaliser.

However, Richard Groves – Buckland’s midfield maestro – sealed it for the Bucks late on.

He climbed well between Cribbs’ two centre defenders to head home substitute Jordan Ewing’s great cross.

Castle said: “We started a little slowly but that was to be expected with the maount of changes made to the line up. Plus, we are lacking confidence. But once we settled into the game and started to pass through midfield we gained confidence to get forward and scored great goals.

“We had another goals on 40 minutes ruled out for a push – but it was a scandalous decision really. And they went up the other end and got a goal out of nothing to get themselves back in the game before half time.

“In fairness, Cribbs dominated the second half in terms of possession and really put us under pressure.

“But we always had the threat of hitting them on the break and Richard Groves missed a glorious chance from a Webber cross to go 3-1 up. In the end their pressure got the better of us and we conceded a second for 2-2.

“It was a hammer blow really but we didn’t drop our heads and snatched a late winner through Groves for a much-needed win.”

This Saturday, Buckland are at home against Chipping Sodbury Town.

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