SDFL?division one Beesands Rovers 1, Buckland Athletic thirds 5
Last season was a relatively successful one for the Bees – losing out on promotion by goal difference and being losing finalists in the Herald Cup.
For this new upcoming season, having lost three senior players, a hard season was always on the cards. The team’s league starter was against very strong opposition on a cloudy, still afternoon.
The first few minutes saw end-to-end play. A Bees attack produced a corner taken by Elliot Bellamy, whose delivery was met by Tim Bromfield with a header just wide of the post.
Bucks replied immediately with a ball through on goal, but debutante Bees ‘keeper Toby Harvey claimed it confidently.
More Bucks pressure eventually told as they knocked the ball around neatly before entering the area and thumping the ball home to take the lead, 0-1.
Bees got back into the game when an attempted cross was handled in the area. The resultant penalty was confidently powered home by Lee Morgan for the equaliser, 1-1.
With play remaining fairly even, Bucks edged ahead when D Harvey attempted a tackle but could only strike the ball, hitting it into his own net for a scoreline of 1-2.
The half concluded with Hurt and Gomm exchanging passes and laying the ball off for J Tucker, who evaded a few challenges before his attempted ball through to Morgan was claimed by the goalkeeper.
From the Bucks kick off at the start of the second half Bees won the ball, with Gomm trying a through pass for Morgan, but again the ‘keeper getting to it first.
Bucks displayed some neat footwork in attack and Bellamy got his foot in to prevent the cross but conceded the corner, cleared by Bromfield.
A lovely Bucks ball through saw Toby Harvey react quickly and block with his body and with the assistance of a defender the ball was cleared.
Neat Bees footwork and a ball to J Tucker was played forward to D Tucker, who noticed the ‘keeper off his line and, from distance, tried an effort that went wide.
Good defensive play from J Tucker conceded a corner headed clear by D Harvey as far as D Tucker who, in turn, played it forward to Morgan. His cross field pass to J Tucker was intercepted.
Soon after J Tucker was replaced by Tom Harvey but Bucks again showed their class.
More neat Bucks footwork in attack led to a shot from wide that could only be palmed out by ‘keeper Toby Harvey, with the rebound thumped home for 1-3.
D Harvey, not fully recovered from his injury, was replaced by Dave Hodgson.
A further attack saw the ball evade Bromfield and Bucks struck home 1-4. Immediately from the kick off, the ball was played into the Bees area and, with the Bees defence in disarray, the ball was put in for an own goal for 1-5.
The man-of-the-match award went to Elliot Bellamy.
Beesands next match is tomorrow at home to Ashburton, kick-off 2.30pm. All are welcome to come and support the Bees.