AFC St Austell 1v3 Buckland Athletic, Friday, January 27th 2012
All-Light On The Night
Buckland Athletic took a deserved three point’s home with them from Poltair Park on Friday evening; however it could have been so different.
Early exchanges on a bitterly cold evening saw Buckland’s Simon Revell and Antony Lynch send in crosses to no avail.
Tricky winger Liam Moseley was causing the AFC St Austell defence all kinds of problems, but Vase winner Tom Smith and his partner at the back Damon Mulready continued to stand strong.
Buckland were relentless in pressure but somewhat wasteful as Captain Danny Lewis skied an effort, while at the other end Mike Body rounded Kenny Griffiths only to finish high and wide.
The effort from Body seemed to spark St Austell into life and Nick Campbell shot narrowly wide.
The game was somewhat scrappy with both sides getting stuck in; however both were missing that productive move in the final third.
Will Tinsley and Ben Douglas were impressing for St Austell while Lynch and Simon Revell were doing the same for Buckland.
The latter duo linked up for the first goal of the match. Revell’s cross fell to Lynch who slotted it home from around the penalty spot.
St Austell didn’t let their heads drop and attacked the opponents, with a stinging shot from Tinsley spilled and almost gathered by Dan Nancarrow before Buckland ‘keeper Griffiths gobbled up the ball.
The reigning champions Buckland were making silly mistakes in defence but St Austell’s attackers couldn’t capitalise.
Tom Smith challenged the away ‘keeper with a header before tensions boiled over.
Buckland substitute Cameron Kelly had to be pulled away from Mike Body by his teammates who stopped a brawl.
Buckland Athletic took a deserved three point’s home with them from Poltair Park on Friday evening; however it could have been so different.Early exchanges on a bitterly cold evening saw Buckland’s Simon Revell and Antony Lynch send in crosses to no avail.
Tricky winger Liam Moseley was causing the AFC St Austell defence all kinds of problems, but Vase winner Tom Smith and his partner at the back Damon Mulready continued to stand strong.
Buckland were relentless in pressure but somewhat wasteful as Captain Danny Lewis skied an effort, while at the other end Mike Body rounded Kenny Griffiths only to finish high and wide.
The effort from Body seemed to spark St Austell into life and Nick Campbell shot narrowly wide.
The game was somewhat scrappy with both sides getting stuck in; however both were missing that productive move in the final third.
Will Tinsley and Ben Douglas were impressing for St Austell while Lynch and Simon Revell were doing the same for Buckland.
The latter duo linked up for the first goal of the match. Revell’s cross fell to Lynch who slotted it home from around the penalty spot.
St Austell didn’t let their heads drop and attacked the opponents, with a stinging shot from Tinsley spilled and almost gathered by Dan Nancarrow before Buckland ‘keeper Griffiths gobbled up the ball.
The reigning champions Buckland were making silly mistakes in defence but St Austell’s attackers couldn’t capitalise.
Tom Smith challenged the away ‘keeper with a header before tensions boiled over.
Buckland substitute Cameron Kelly had to be pulled away from Mike Body by his teammates who stopped a brawl.
The teams went in for half time with the well supported Buckland 0-1 up, but there should surely have been more goals.
The home side came out stronger in the second half with Dan Lean crossing for Tinsley, volleying home an equaliser on the slide.
The next ten minutes were crucial to the outcome of the game.
St Austell had the advantage but couldn’t make the most of it as Buckland showed their quality.
First of all, Lynch grabbed his second goal of the night holding off Lee Whetter to finish strongly.
Soon after, substitute Gavin Hammon slid the ball across Penhaligon and into the back of the St Austell net.
It could have been 1-4 had the remarkable Tom Smith not made a last gasp challenge on Hammon.
The referee was coming in from a lot of stick from players, coaches and fans alike with the mood souring on and off the pitch.
St Austell kept looking for a way back into the game and Lean stung the ‘keepers hands with a fierce drive.
The final whistle blew and it was just one of those days for St Austell who were undone by the class of Buckland, who continue climbing the table.
Had Mike Body’s shot hit the back of the net after he’d rounded the keeper, it could have been all so different.
St Austell chairman James Hutchings had nothing but praise for his players at the final whistle saying: “I thought the lads here tonight played absolutely fantastic, considering the conditions, they put a real good effort in.
“I didn’t think we quite deserved to lose 1-3, we played very well for seventy minutes. In the last twenty we couldn’t keep the rhythm going.”
Tonight marked St Austell’s first game under floodlights at Poltair Park. It drew in a record South West Premier crowd of 556, which beat the previous record by 62 (494 – Buckland Athletic vs. Witheridge).
Mr Hutchings said: “The whole day went brilliant, it was a bit worrying earlier today with all the rain, but thankfully during the game it stayed dry.
“It was touch and go. This morning we had a very tough job marking it, but thanks go out to the guys who worked on the pitch during the day.
“Moving onto the next game, the lads can go into it with their heads held high after putting in a good shift tonight; they’ve done the town and the club proud.”
AFC St Austell are away to Cullompton Rangers next weekend, with Buckland Athletic facing Liskeard Athletic in a mouth-watering tie at Homers Heath.
AFC St Austell: Penhaligon, Lean, Mulready, Whetter, Smith (Godridge), Dingle, Douglas, Campbell, Nancarrow ©, Body (Hartigan), Tinsley (Phillips). Subs Not Used: Wheildon, Hill
Buckland Athletic: Griffiths, Drew, Gaze (Kelly), M Revell, Fisher, Moseley (Stevens), Booth, Lewis ©, Lynch, Wright (Hammon), S Revell Subs Not Used: -
The next ten minutes were crucial to the outcome of the game.
St Austell had the advantage but couldn’t make the most of it as Buckland showed their quality.
First of all, Lynch grabbed his second goal of the night holding off Lee Whetter to finish strongly.
Soon after, substitute Gavin Hammon slid the ball across Penhaligon and into the back of the St Austell net.
It could have been 1-
St Austell kept looking for a way back into the game and Lean stung the ‘keepers hands with a fierce drive.
The final whistle blew and it was just one of those days for St Austell who were undone by the class of Buckland, who continue climbing the table.
Had Mike Body’s shot hit the back of the net after he’d rounded the keeper, it could have been all so different.
St Austell chairman James Hutchings had nothing but praise for his players at the final whistle saying: “I thought the lads here tonight played absolutely fantastic, considering the conditions, they put a real good effort in.
“I didn’t think we quite deserved to lose 1-
Mr Hutchings said: “The whole day went brilliant, it was a bit worrying earlier today with all the rain, but thankfully during the game it stayed dry.
“It was touch and go. This morning we had a very tough job marking it, but thanks go out to the guys who worked on the pitch during the day.
“Moving onto the next game, the lads can go into it with their heads held high after putting in a good shift tonight; they’ve done the town and the club proud.”
AFC St Austell are away to Cullompton Rangers next weekend, with Buckland Athletic facing Liskeard Athletic in a mouth-
Buckland Athletic: Griffiths, Drew, Gaze (Kelly), M Revell, Fisher, Moseley (Stevens), Booth, Lewis ©, Lynch, Wright (Hammon), S Revell Subs Not Used: -
From Tom Howe
