WESTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Buckland Athletic 2 Street FC 2

RAIN fell from minute one to minute 90 at Homers Heath with Buckland Athletic hosting Street FC in a clash between fourth and third on Saturday, September 7.

Jared Lewington was the difference at the break, scoring against the run of play and making it nine goals in nine games this season. Superb work from Ryan Smith set up the former Torquay United man and after an earlier goal was ruled out for offside, Buckland were glad to see the linesman’s flag stay down.

A major flashpoint came early on in the second 45 when Buckland captain Ben Carter was caught in the face by a rogue arm. The home team were incensed and after consulting with his assistants, the referee showed Joel Jackson a red card.

It didn’t take long for Dan Hart’s side to pounce on this man advantage, Smith turning scorer and arrowing his effort into the far bottom corner. After the game, his manager spoke very highly of him, saying the following: “He took his opportunity fantastically and looked a threat throughout so I’m really pleased for him.”

The dismissal and the subsequent finish from the 20-year-old should have provided Buckland with a springboard onto victory but the game instead, took a very different turn.

Between a red, injuries and abhorrent weather, “Having to tactically adapt 3 or 4 times throughout the game” made it “a difficult day” for Hart and co.

Not long after Smith had a chance at a brace cleared off the line, Harry Foster was presented with a golden opportunity from the penalty spot at the other end. The Street number nine dispatched from 12 yards out following another contentious decision from the ref.

On the topic of set pieces and after coming close with a couple of free-kicks, Eli Collins found his range and sent an equalizer firing into the top corner.

Another red card came out of the pocket of the man in the middle minutes later, but it was a Street substitute who was given his marching orders this time around.

2-2 was how it ended in a true game of two halves, Hart’s final assessment being that “Overall it’s a fair result and we can both be semi-happy with the outcome.” The Buckland boss went on to add that “with 10 men, it becomes a free hit and you can be a little bit more direct”.