TALKING to the Jewson Western League Podcast, Buckland Athletic manager Matt Cusack believes his side could be on the verge of a highly successful campaign after navigating a gruelling opening schedule to secure crucial early-season victories.
The Bucks laid down a major marker with a hard-fought 2-1 away win at Newquay AFC, where second-half goals from Sammy Stayt and Toby Pullman sealed three points despite playing with a "scratch team". For Cusack, the result was a testament to his players' resilience, especially coming off the back of a disappointing FA Cup exit the week prior.
Getting to this point has been far from straightforward. Like many Western League clubs, Buckland has battled severe player availability issues.
Cusack, who works in education himself, admitted that August is always a "frustrating" period dominated by summer holidays. "All managers will be pleased to see the back of the summer holidays eventually so they can get their squad settled," Cusack remarked, though he praised his squad’s depth for stepping up.
This resilience has already yielded some massive results. After a tough first week featuring a narrow defeat to newly-relegated Tavistock AFC and a local derby draw with Bovey Tracey AFC, Buckland bounced back by beating last year’s runners-up Torpoint Athletic, a team they took only one point from last season. Coupled with the victory over Newquay, who finished above them last year, Cusack is optimistic. "To beat those two teams... shows that we could be on to something special," he said, whilst emphasising the need to stay grounded.
With new signings Jordan McCarthy and Myles James boosting squad depth, Cusack has set clear aims: reaching the playoffs as a minimum and enjoying a deep cup run to make amends for last year’s penalty shootout exits.
The path ahead remains challenging, with a highly anticipated home clash against an in-form Bridgewater United on August 29, followed by fixtures against title favourites Portishead Town and Clevedon Town.
Yet, Buckland will feel confident returning to Homer's Heath. Renowned for its first-class facilities, the ground is run by an "army of volunteers". However, visiting teams should expect a slightly colder welcome this season; Cusack jokingly revealed they have made the away dressing rooms less spacious to ensure opponents do not get "too comfortable"!
The full interview can be found on episode three of the Jewson Western League Podcast https://www.westernleague.co.uk/news/podcast-episode-3-2.
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