Buckingham lose 1-2 against 2nd best team in the country

On Saturday Buckingham welcomed second placed Clifton to Stowe for their latest Investec Premier League fixture. In an intense and high paced opening to the match, it was the visitors who had the first real opportunity of the match when a swift counter and some poor marking left the Clifton centre forward totally unmarked in the D. Fortunately for Buckingham Anna Searle did enough to slow her progress and the home side were thankful to Beth Stainsby who got back and cleared the ball off the line.

Just a minute later a good overhead from Zoe Shipperley and play from Leanne Grimsley resulted in Buckinghams first penalty corner. Despite the miss placed injection, Morag McLellan’s initial shot and the subsequent rebound were well saved. From the resulting long corner Buckingham again came close, only a diving touch from a Clifton defender preventing a certain goal.

A fantastic turnover and passing movement nearly resulted in the opening goal in the seventh minute, but somehow the visitors goal keeper kept the ball out. The next spell was evenly contested but it was the home side who created two very good chances. The first after fifteen minutes following some fine play from player of the match Katrina Nicholson and it was Nicholson who was thwarted again by the onrushing goalkeeper just a few minutes later.

Buckingham enjoyed the better of the exchanges during this period and earned their second penalty corner of the match after twenty four minutes. Although Shipperley's strike was miss-hit, the visitors goalkeeper made a smart save from the resulting rebound. Clifton missed a guilt edged opportunity just a few minutes later and were now having the Better of the exchanges. On thirty one minutes they earned their first penalty corner and though the routine seemed to have initially broken down Great Britain International Jo Leigh scrambled the ball home.

Buckingham found themselves 2-0 down inside the first two minutes of the second half when Clifton earned their second penalty corner of the game. Although the first strike was blocked by a foot, the visitors scored from the re-award with a well worked deflection move.

Buckingham’s response was immediate, some fine play down the left from the outstanding Nicholson saw Amie Hone force the ball home from close range after thirty eight minutes. Buckingham gifted the visitors a soft penalty corner shortly afterwards but thankfully they could not take advantage and the score remained 2-1.

The game continued to be a high paced, end-to-end affair with the visitors struggling to contain a rampant Nicholson who earned her side a penalty stroke after another searing run in the forty sixth minute. Unfortunately, Bloom’s flick went wide and although Buckingham continued to battle hard for the remainder of the contest, they could not force the equalizer despite creating a number of other good openings.

This week, Buckingham take on Bowdon Hightown in Manchester in what is a crucial 8th v 9th tie in the fight to avoid being dragged into the relegation playoff slot.

Zak Jones
"The group are obviously massively disappointed by the result especially as we came so close. However, it was a fantastic performance, full of quality and character, and one where the girls didn’t take a backward step. They more than matched the second best side in the country, and I believe deserved to get something from the game.

Once again, attention to detail in crucial areas proved the difference. They scored two from three of their penalty corners, whereas we were none from three and missed a stroke. As always, at this level it comes down to fine margins but I am confident that if we continue to perform like that in our remaining three matches, we will get our just rewards."