18/10/20 - AFC Stoneham (A) - FA Cup
Report by Greg Mogford
Buckland’s FA cup adventure got off to a winning start as a depleted squad travelled to Hampshire, where they encountered a tough test against a well organised Stoneham side. Buckland, who were low on numbers due to injuries, started the game brightly, with Striker a Sarah Stacey testing the goalkeeper within the opening moments, however the stoneham stopper was equal to her effort & produced a good save, before Zoe Cunningham found the gloves of the keeper with a speculative volley.
Then, on 9 minutes, the FA cup threatened to produce its giant killing magic once again, as a rare mistake from Skipper Abi Bond gave the ball to the hosts, who produced a fine looping effort to put them in front. However, Bucks showed their grit 7 determination, first Stacey crashed a shot into the side netting, before 3 minutes later, Summer signing Meg Wood opened her Buckland account with a fine low finish past the Goalkeeper to level the tie.
7 minutes later, buoyed by her earlier goal, Wood pressed high, forcing a mistake from the purple back line, before finishing off the swift counter attack that followed to give the away side the lead. Bucks continued to attack, creating chances aplenty, before Stoneham thought they had found an equaliser as the net bulged, however, the ball had dropped agonisingly over the bar.
Half time Stoneham 1-2 Buckland
Buckland started the second half looking to kill off what looked a potentially very dangerous cup tie, which on 47 minutes, Wood went some way towards doing as she buried another chance to complete a fine hattrick. 3 minutes later, Stacey got her reward, as she first rattled the bar with a stinging drive, before slotting home the rebound.
The goals continued to come, as Carla Staddon, making her first start since recovering from a serious ankle injury, capped it with a fine drive from the edge of the box into the net. Bucks had really turned on the style in the second half, winning a barrage of corners to look to add to their lead, however the Hampshire side defended resolutely.
Victory was all but assured, but not before Cunningham produced a fine reflex save from the Goalkeeper, who was helpless to prevent winger Natalie Warman from getting in on the goal scoring act as she slotted home to round off a fine win, booking the yellows slot in the next round. The away trips don’t stop there, as Buckland face a trip to AFC Bournemouth as they look to match their best ever performance in the FA cup.
Full Time Stoneham 1-6 Buckland Athletic
Then, on 9 minutes, the FA cup threatened to produce its giant killing magic once again, as a rare mistake from Skipper Abi Bond gave the ball to the hosts, who produced a fine looping effort to put them in front. However, Bucks showed their grit 7 determination, first Stacey crashed a shot into the side netting, before 3 minutes later, Summer signing Meg Wood opened her Buckland account with a fine low finish past the Goalkeeper to level the tie.
7 minutes later, buoyed by her earlier goal, Wood pressed high, forcing a mistake from the purple back line, before finishing off the swift counter attack that followed to give the away side the lead. Bucks continued to attack, creating chances aplenty, before Stoneham thought they had found an equaliser as the net bulged, however, the ball had dropped agonisingly over the bar.
Half time Stoneham 1-2 Buckland
Buckland started the second half looking to kill off what looked a potentially very dangerous cup tie, which on 47 minutes, Wood went some way towards doing as she buried another chance to complete a fine hattrick. 3 minutes later, Stacey got her reward, as she first rattled the bar with a stinging drive, before slotting home the rebound.
The goals continued to come, as Carla Staddon, making her first start since recovering from a serious ankle injury, capped it with a fine drive from the edge of the box into the net. Bucks had really turned on the style in the second half, winning a barrage of corners to look to add to their lead, however the Hampshire side defended resolutely.
Victory was all but assured, but not before Cunningham produced a fine reflex save from the Goalkeeper, who was helpless to prevent winger Natalie Warman from getting in on the goal scoring act as she slotted home to round off a fine win, booking the yellows slot in the next round. The away trips don’t stop there, as Buckland face a trip to AFC Bournemouth as they look to match their best ever performance in the FA cup.
Full Time Stoneham 1-6 Buckland Athletic