Loddiswell Athletic Reserves 1 Buckland Athletic 3rds 4
Saturday 17th October 2009

The Reserves went down to only their third defeat of the season but as with their previous two defeats came off the pitch with heads held high. Buckland Athletic 3rds sit undefeated at the top of Division Four and you could see why after the first 20 minutes, as Loddiswell's back four of Rowe, Elliot, George and Stacey battle hard to keep the visitors at bay. Richard Teague, in goal for the Greens, also played his part in keeping Bucks out as he made several great saves. However, the pressure finally told when a left sided corner was met by the rising striker to head home the first goal.

This brought Lodds to life, as an attacking force, and once again proved that when they get the ball out to the flanks they are more than a match for any team in the Division, and but for an awkward bounce from a right wing cross, Dan Hardy could have equalised for Loddiswell. Ben Rogers and Sean Raymont in the heart of Loddiswell's midfield were starting to bring Hardy and Rob Tapper in to play more as they picked out the wingers runs, however, mid way through the first half Hardy had to switch with the injured Sam Elliot at left back - Tim Rogers coming on as his replacement.

Not long after this reshuffle Bucks extended their lead when Teague, having made a great reaction save saw the ball fall to the visiting striking following up. Once again half time was used to stress the need to get the ball out wide as front runners Chris Guard and Andy Edmonds had had little joy against Bucks towering number five in the air. It was Buckland however, who scored the next goal when a corner seemed to squeeze through a pack of players to catch Lodds 'keeper unawares.

All was not lost though, as Chris Guard gambling on a root one ball was rewarded when the Buckland centre half let it run back to his 'keeper, only to see Guard latch on the ball to score after his second attempt. This lifted Lodds and not long after Andy Edmonds was crudely chopped down in the area by their 'keeper - to every ones surprise, including the 'keeper who had put his hands up to his foul, the Referee waved play on! Despite this disappointment it was again Loddiswell who should have scored the next goal when Ben Rogers found himself with just the 'keeper to beat only to see his 'shot' go straight into the goalkeeper's arms. To rub salt into the Green's wounds Bucks then went up the other end and scored their fourth, again following up after Teague had made a great save. Wayne Kovacic and Zaffa Haris were brought on to add fresh legs up front but the score remained at 1-4.

Next up for Loddiswell is Kingskerswell & Chelston 3rds, a game that maybe determined by how many Reserve team players turn out for the Torbay team.