The cold end ventured out to Bedfordshire last night to watch the Hereward Teamwear United Counties League Division One clash between Potton United and Buckingham Town at The Hollow.
Both The Royals as Potton United are known as and The Robins now find themselves at Step 6 of the non-league ladder having played higher and had much success in the recent past. United were 2nd in the UCL Premier in 2004/05 and 05/06 (where they lost the Championship on goal difference), they also reached Round 5 of the FA Vase in 89/90 and round 4 in 04/05.
Buckingham Town have reached the Vase 6th round on two occasions in 90/91 and 92/93 as well as playing Orient in the first round of the FA Cup in 1984. They were also Beazer Homes Southern League South Champions in 90/91 and UCL Champions in 83/84 and 84/85.
The bad weather has taken it's toll on Buckingham Town's fixture list as this was their first match since the 20th November and only Potton United's third game since that date. Potton had played games in the South Midlands Floodlit Cup and the Bedfordshire Senior Trophy so this was also their first league game since the big freeze set in.
Both are struggling at the foot of the table and their records going into this match were as follows -
P W D L GF GA GD PTS
15th (of 17) Potton United 11 4 1 6 23 34 -11 13
17th Buckingham Town 12 3 1 8 16 28 -12 10
The match was a very entertaining one with Buckingham Town playing a nice patient passing game and Potton United also passing the ball well but playing a more direct game. In the first half the away side came out and attacked their hosts making a number of good chances but failing to convert them. Most of their efforts went wide or over in the first half.
Above - Potton's first goal which was correctly ruled a goal by the officials.
Potton's scored two goals in the first half. Their first on the half hour came courtesy of a brilliant piece of refereeing by Mr Kevin Seckington. In a world where officials are sometimes unfairly lambasted for making so called 'mistakes' the official tonight over-ruled his assistant who gave the Potton player as offside as the cross from left to right came across. The Potton player scored with a good finish and after consultation together the referee gave the goal as the original cross had come off a Buckingham defender's head. Credit to the Buckingham side they took the decision well and carried on playing football.
Potton's 2nd came courtesy of a quick break and a deflected shot from just outside the box. For the final 10 minutes of the half the home side seemed to get on top with some of Buckingham's passing which had been good up until then going astray a number of times.
HALF TIME 2-0
The second half was all Buckingham's as they created so many chances that could of won the game by 5 or 6. The problem was some of the efforts went wide or were saved (excellently on a few occasions) by the Potton Keeper Aaron Loney.
Above - Jared Cunnif scores Buckingham's goal.
They did get one goal which was well taken and began to search for an equaliser which despite hitting the bar and a Potton defender slicing the ball onto his own post never came.
Credit must go to Potton who at times defended well putting in some impressive last ditch tackles to prevent chances occurring. According to one of their supporters they were missing a few key players tonight so this may have explained why they weren't at their best. The home side with what seemed like their only real chance of the half went forward from a Buckingham goal kick and scored a third killer goal right on 90 minutes. Hat-Trick hero Graham Tibballs scored all three of Potton's goals
Above - The two chances where Buckingham town hit the woodwork
It was an excellent game played in good spirit by both sides and a 2-2 draw may have been a fairer result. Despite losing Buckingham can take many good things from this game as if they play as well as they did for the rest of the season they won't finish bottom of the league. Jared Cuniff had an impressive game (and scored Buckingham's goal) looked a very good attacking midfielder.
FINAL SCORE 3-1
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