Buckland Athletic are victorious in home opener

BUCKLAND Athletic came from behind to secure a first victory of the new Western League season when they faced Torpoint Athletic on Saturday, August 1.

Off the back of a defeat and a draw on the road, the Bucks made a winning start to life back at The VX3 Stadium against a strong Torpoint side with manager Matt Cusack “delighted to get the first three points on the board.”

Jack Baxter had the first chance of the game when his fizzing effort from range had to be tipped over the crossbar by visiting goalkeeper Ty Rowe.

The Point, who edged out Street FC last weekend before losing to Newquay AFC in midweek, broke the deadlock courtesy of their other Rowe.

Mike Searle’s one-handed effort to thwart a Torpoint cross fell to former Buckland man James Rowe who was on hand to score the opener.

One would very likely have become two if it weren’t for young defender Rafa Beadman making a superb and crucial last-ditch tackle.

Beadman was then heavily involved at the other end of the field, meeting Danny Frankum’s corner and getting his side back on level terms.

This may be one for the dubious goals panel to look at with his shot seemingly taking a sizable deflection- Rowe could only watch as it curled in.

The fullback had his first ever goal for the club switched to an own-goal last season though so he deserves the benefit of the doubt for this one.

Torpoint had the final opportunity before the break, only for Searle to get down well and thwart the oncoming forward.

Buckland then made a better start to a lively second half, moving the ball into the right areas of the final third with more purpose.

Toby Pullman committed the first of a few heavy tackles, his high foot connecting with the opposing keeper. Despite Torpoint’s calls for a red card, the former Newton Abbot Spurs man saw only yellow for his troubles.

Cusack’s first roll of the dice saw Isaac McCue replace the now cautioned Pullman with Ryan Bush and Jamie Simmonds going on for Josiah McKayle and Baga Mariko shortly after.

Whilst the departing trio were by no means poor, the substitutes made an instant impact, Bush beating the keeper to the ball out wide and nearly curling home his first of the season.

Torpoint’s Curtis Damerell was the next player to be shown a card for an echoing tackle on McCue.

It was then the turn of Sammy Stayt to get in before Ty Rowe and this time it took place in the penalty area, allowing Buckland’s number 19 to tap in the go-ahead goal before wheeling away in celebration in the clubhouse corner.

Stayt spent the majority of last season on the sidelines injured so he is like a new signing for Cusack and co this time around.

“I’m really delighted for Sammy to get that winner,” said Cusack.

He continued, “We got a good pre-season into him and he’s progressing, he’s had his moments and done really well in certain areas whilst there are other things he could do better and we’ve had those conversations with him.

“For him today to have that impact in the final third, that’s what I’ve been asking for from Sammy. We’re just hopeful that he can now kick on and as it will only elevate us as a team.”

With the away team pushing for their second of the afternoon, there were chances for Bush and Stayt but Buckland couldn’t quite put the game to bed, making for a “nerve-wracking end once more.”

In and amongst the action, there were deserved yellows for home captain Ben Carter and Torpoint’s Joe Rapson, but the biggest news was the dismissal of fullback Dave Barker.

He allowed the ball to bounce one too many times at his own peril, Bush stealing in and knocking it past him only for Barker to take him down as the last man. The red mist descended and Dean Cardew’s side had to play the final few minutes both a goal and a player down.

Reflecting on what is hopefully the first win of many this season, Cusack said: “We’ve had a difficult week, two games away from home. We didn’t quite get the returns we’d hoped for and then today we had the daunting task of taking on the team who very nearly won the league last year so I’m glad that we managed to get over the line and get the three points.”

He added: “We made some big calls selection wise and it’s one of them where, if you win the game, you’ve got it right but if you don’t, the pressure would have been on me and rightly so.”

McKayle and co were living off of scraps in a pretty turgid first half whilst there was far more service fed to his replacement Bush in the closing stages.

“All three of them [Bush, McCue and Simmonds] were fantastic and it’s something that we’re trying to build, that squad mentality, it’s not always going to be that same 11 that’s starting and the boys have got to be ready to play their part as and when they’re called upon and they did that.”

As well as praising Stayt for his match-winning contribution, Cusack was very pleased for the other scorer Beadman.

“We’re absolutely delighted for him as well and we’ve set him that challenge now of trying to get a five a season and he should do because he’s a dominant threat in the box.”

Buckland have a quick turnaround now as part of a busy, early-season schedule. The Yellows welcome Wellington AFC to Homers Heath on Wednesday evening (August 5) before then hosting Barnstaple Town on Saturday, August 8, for a mouth-watering FA Cup tie.