We arrived to the Rec full of confidence and off the back off a good run of results. And confidence and morale was boosted further by the arrival of the new kit that we’ve been waiting for since 2009 it felt like. With the new kit on and looking ridiculously good minus Westbury incredibly tight shorts we turned our attention to potentially the biggest game of the season so far.
Started out with a familiar formation and similar personnel, had a good warm up (minus Josh Smith barking out orders like a dictator throughout) and good team talk. All of that went out the window within 10 seconds a horrendously stupid tackle by Chris Dennis and a free kick was given away after 10 seconds and literally had Goodge reaching for the tissues early doors. The game was scrappy throughout the opening stages and Buckden were not being able to keep the ball in the traditional way we would have liked. There were some good early tackles from the midfield and back four and some good defensive block but nothing on the ball or going forward. Wisbech sat very deep and were very aggressive as was to be expected but the fight and the battle wasn’t there from the off for Buckden (probs cause Owen Howard was on the bench) and this resulted in being 1-0 down within 15 minutes. A scrappy bit of play and the defence unable to clear it resulted in their winger being free just outside the 6 yard box to bobble it home.
Buckden looked a shadow of what we are use to, and not long after the first goal Timmy smith due to his dodgy hammy or maybe still crying over running the cat from 2 years ago was withdrawn. This was a big loss as he had been a key player in the Claude Mackele position but even Claude couldn’t play in the shoes the Timmy turned up to training in. Not long after his withdrawal and Buckden still not managing to create any real chances we were 2-0 down. A lucky fall of the ball to the Wisbech player saw him strike a ball from the edge of the box with a bit of swazz on it big Jan couldn’t get it clear and it left the Wisbech striker free to tap into an empty net. Shane could of possibly given offside but bottled it in front of the Wisbech bench.
2-0 at half time but the game was not over, Buckden knew a goal would change things after the break and had to show their character. Straight after the whistle we saw a rare break from Buckden and after lovely interchange saw Dom Smith get shoved in the back to give Buckden a penalty. This was a lifeline Buckden were crying out for… Well that is if anyone manned up and took it. After much deliberation and what seemed to be an eternity, Mr Penalty at Eaton (where he managed at one point I think) aka Adam Westbury stood up and manned up to take the spot kick. Unfortunately for him he came up against a very good goalkeeper who had a track record of saving them and it kept the score line at 2-0.
It was an uphill task for the remainder of the second half and it was made no easier by the shocking referee and some horrendous tackles from Wisbech throughout, especially on Darren Scutt which resulted in him having to be replaced late on and should have seen a red card. It finished 2-0 and Buckden need to forget the result and performance and move on and concentrate for the cup game. It’s a great opportunity to show the quality and character and go to Ramsey and get a result. There is a semi-final up for grabs and a great opportunity to get some silverware. Head up boys and onto the next one.
