WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

Saltash United 0 Buckland Athletic 1- August 13

Saltash produced one of their best performances since Macca Brown became manager a year ago but still ended up empty-handed at Kimberley Stadium, writes Kevin Marriott.

Jared Lewington’s 80th-minute goal was enough to give Buckland all three points from a game they also contributed to with an impressive display, especially defensively.

The visitors were under the cosh for much of the first half as Saltash searched for a breakthrough after making an excellent start.

Jake Curtis and home man of the match Aaron Goulty kept the Buckland defence busy and only some over enthusiastic finishing prevented them from the perfect start.

Buckland grew into the game and were increasingly a threat in the second half with former Saltash favourite Ryan Richards a constant threat.

Another player well-known to Ashes boss Brown, Sam Morcom, provided the pivotal moment of the contest with 10 minutes to go.

The gifted young left-back, who came to prominence under the guidance of Brown at Millbrook, provided the corner delivery from the right which caused panic in the Saltash penalty area.

And although his initial cross was half cleared, the ball made its way back to Morcom, who returned it to the far post where an unmarked Lewington finished off from six yards.

Saltash questioned whether the Buckland substitute was offside but a linesman remained adamant that he wasn’t.

It still left the home side with 16 minutes – 10 plus six of time added on – to try to find an equaliser but the closest they came was from a Jack Wood shot from 20 yards which keeper Adam Seedhouse-Evans saved well.

Torpoint Athletic 0 Buckland Athletic 3- August 17

Jared Lewington scored twice as three goals in the opening 18 minutes gave The Bucks victory over a battling Torpoint, writes Robbie Morris.

In the third minute of the match, Harry Jeffery brought down Buckland’s Ryan Bush in the area as he broke clear, and although the home players and fans were appealing that Bush was offside, the referee waved away their appeals and Jared Lewington opened up the visitors account with his spot kick going straight down the middle.

Ten minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead when a long ball from Adam Hill was missed to let Ryan Bush in who did the rest.

Bush turned provider for the third as his clever header found Lewington, who chipped Lloyd Marshall from 18 yards.

Torpoint finally had a chance at the end of the half, but Harry Jeffery’s 20-yard free-kick went over.

The Point were better after the restart and saw Sam Rutter’s curler deflected wide, while at the other end, Marshall denied former home favourite Ryan Richards.

On 68 minutes the home side went close as Will Sullivan’s cross found Jed Smale in the area, before he turned and shot narrowly over.

Two minutes later, Buckland’s James Rowe saw his shot from 20 yards go just wide, before at the other end, Theo Ramsey’s headed effort went over.

Finally, with ten minutes remaining, a good interchange of passing found Sam Rutter for the hosts cutting into the area, but his effort brushed the side netting.