Buckingham 2 Surbiton 1

Following on from their successful indoor campaign, Buckingham returned to Investec Premier League action on Saturday when they welcomed current champions and league leaders Surbiton to Stowe School. With the visitors winning their first meeting 2-1 in an tight and exciting game, there was much anticipation around this fixture.
Both sides outlined their attacking intent from the outset as the game flowed from end to end. Both sides created chances in and open and fast paced first period but with Player of the match Megan Lewis-Williams superb in defence for Buckingham, neither were able to convert any of their chances and the score remained 0-0 at the break.
The second half stared poorly for the home side when the visitors capitalised on some hesitation in defence to take a 1-0 lead as early as the first minute. However, Buckingham responded well and were back on level terms inside five minutes, courtesy of a fine finish from the in-form Tash James. The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides creating chances but both goalkeepers being equal to the task. Buckingham made the decisive breakthrough in the twenty-fourth minute when a swift counter attack resulted in the outstanding Phoebe Richards forcing the ball home from close range. Both sides created further openings in the final ten minutes the match but once again neither side could capitalise and Buckingham claimed a valuable three points to get the second half of their league campaign off to the best possible start.

"It was a very positive weekend for the squad and a good start to the second half of the season. Surbiton are a quality side and so I was really pleased with our overall performance on Saturday. We handled the ball pretty well for long periods and our execution on counter is progressing and becoming more consistent, which ultimately resulted in both our goals. On the other side of the ball, our defensive structures for the main part remained intact, which was also pleasing.
The cup game also allowed us to continue to develop some of our promising young players as well as increase the depth and breadth of the 1st XI squad."