Date: Saturday 30 September 2017
Result: 4-1 (lost)
Starting XI- Josh Roberts, Jamie Foulkes, Paul Griffiths(c), Sean Jones, Jack Richards, Dion Gibbins, Daniel Cox, Nic Jones, Alex Williams, Jimmy Jones, Oliver Davies
Substitutes – Kien Morris, Andrew Jones, Darnell Prescott
Goalscorer(s): Jimmy Jones
MOM: Jimmy Jones
The squad travelled without Conner Kendrick but in come Jack Richards which meant a shuffle to the formation with the management opting for 4-1-4-1. The home team started much brighter than the Albion and we were almost punished in the opening two minutes when a poor pass in the defence should have been punished by the Buckley forward but his effort went agonisingly wide. The home team pressed hard for the first 10 and they were not allowing the Albion to get their passing game going and gather any momentum. However, the lads did respond and were presented with a glorious opportunity to take the lead but an excellent stop by the opposing keeper kept the scores level. On 18 minutes the deadlock was broken when a good move from Buckley out done the defence and the striker made no mistake this time round. Cefn were presented with another fantastic chance to draw level but once again the chance was not taken. Just before the break Cefn were undone for the second time, this time from a set piece which was delivered to the far post and the Buckley striker did well to convert. A difficult half for the lads who despite having some good chances were being out fought. HT 2-0.
Second half, with nothing to lose the lads started brightly and took the game to our hosts but it was Buckley who nearly made it three on the counter when an effort cannoned back off the bar. Cefn were given some hope of a fightback when Jimmy Jones converted a free kick from 25/30 yards to make it 2-1. The goal seemed to rally the Albion and the lads started to ask some questions of their own. However, despite being on the front foot a mistake at the back gifted Buckley a goal to restore the two goal advantage. The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the lads and they looked like a team who were beat despite 15 minutes still left on the clock. The afternoon go worse when Buckley added a fourth right at the death.
A difficult afternoon for the lads against a Buckley team who seemed to want the game that little bit more. They pressed us hard and stopped us playing the good football that we have seen at times this season. It’s the first time this season we really can’t have any complaints about the final result.
We would like to say a big thank you to all our fantastic supporters who backed the lads in appalling weather conditions today. We go again on Saturday!
#UPTHEALBION
#TOGETHER