Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all fans, players and officials of BTFC.

I have been pleased to see see a good reaction from the boys after the 1-1 draw with Rothwell Town (Under 16s!!) Lets be honest, we created enough chances to win 2 games that day!

A good win against Chenecks away, an absolute mauling of Bourne at home and a good win against Olney's bogey team Wootton yesterday stand the team in good stead for 2012. Bugbrooke aren't all that but I didn't see the game personally.

I still miss the job at BTFC like you wouldn't believe but Mrs K reads this website so I have to be careful (Love you dear x). The next fixture throws up some interest for a number of reasons, I've openly criticised their Manager Neil Griffiths in the past but underneath it all he is just a passionate football person doing what he knows best which has led to former Robins flying the nest but we shouldn't hate him for that. I can only speak from experience but Geoff Baffo and Jared Cunniff both gave me their all for the last 12 games of last season and were a credit to themselves during that period, I believe that if I had been stronger and stuck to my guns they both would still be wearing the red of BTFC tomorrow but thats another story.

Olney are not title contenders, they are not even promotion contenders any more and if I was taking the field against them tomorrow I would fancy my chances of 3 points, puff your chests out boys, give it your all and you'll win comfortably.

See you soon

5-star Robins destroy Bourne

Rob Bannister grabbed a brace on his home debut for Buckingham Town as the Robins romped to a 5-1 victory against Bourne Town in the Chroma Sports & Trophies, Division 1 clash. Bannister, a recent new addition to the Robins' ranks, opened the scoring after 7 minutes with a brilliant left foot volley from a Nick Bines Cross.
The second came after 26 minutes when Bines cut in from the left and shot hard and low into the bottom corner. Ben Shepherd scored a 25 yard cracker after 28 minutes for the second home game running to make it 3-0 at the break.
The second half Bourne had nothing to lose and pushed men forward to try and get back into the game, but it was Bannister who grabbed the fourth on 53 minutes after Shepherds low cross.
Bourne got one back on 58 minutes after a superb move down the right and clinical finishing.
Buckingham were not finished and James Wardell defended from the front and ran down the Bourne keeper who lost the ball and then brought Wardell down in the box and was given a red card.
Wardell unselfishly offered the ball to Chris Robson who put away the penalty with ease to make it 5-1

Bell, Cross, Stimpson, Diamond, Phillips, Shepherd (Barker), Robson, Lee, N.Bines Bannister (Hull) Wardell.

On the Day!
With Graham Sands & Jakub missing we still had a strong team for the days duties, but the morning of the game got off to a bad start and I had Mark Gale, Joel McCormick and Ieuan Riley all pull out, this gave me a head ache and thanks to Sam Barker and Paul Hull for stepping in when they were needed.
We adapted the team to the best of our ability with Stimpson slotting in at centre back and what a outstanding game he had, Chris Robson was asked to play in the centre of midfield with Cory lee and both players showed a work ethic and togetherness that kept the team ticking over when we needed it most.
Rob Bannister who has signed in recent weeks was asked to play up front with James Wardell and showed that he is a goal poacher by scoring his brace.
Ben Shepherd and Nick Bines are now being noticed not only by myself as a manager for their goals and technical ability but also for the work rate they are now offering for the team.
Daryl Phillips who has been out for 2 weeks with his ankle injury had an outstanding game at left back and offered an in site to players wanting to play for their position!
Pat Diamond will always put 100% in what ever position he plays and showed a desire to work with his back four, Daley Cross who has stepped up from the development team has showed maturity in his position and is enjoying the challenge at right back and the players have embraced that.
Mike Bell our goal keeper who came back to the club when we needed him most has impressed me with some outstanding saves and is taking his opportunity to show us all how good he can be in goal.
Finally James Wardell, although he has not scored in the last two games he has given the team that added extra up front and was a credit to himself with his desire to work for the team.
Well done lads.

Eddie

So I was sat in the Ford Meadow Club early in 2010 being interviewed for the First Team Manager's job by the Chairman and another committee member. I'.m outlining my plans should I be the successful applicant and taking in the surroundings, wow! I could feel the history in there, what a football venue- how could you not fall in love with the old place? Anyway, as I'm searching for the right words to impress my interviewers I suddenly became aware of a colourful looking gent who appeared out of nowhere, cleaning tabletops and generally finding tasks to do within ear shot of the meeting!

I soon realised that the colourful gent showing a big interest in my meeting was in fact Eddie Cole, the best supporter and volunteer any football club could wish for. Eddie was not looking for perfection on the pitch, his only wish was that for anyone who pulled on the Robins shirt to give their absolute all for the Buckingham Town cause, something which Eddie did every week come rain or shine.

Managers and players come and go but fans and volunteers are the essence of any football club, Eddie- I salute you.

Bines & Stimpson ON target in Town win

After last weeks draw Buckingham changed their fortunes and put in a honest team display against ON Chenecks F.C
BTFC welcomed Nick Bines and James wardell back in attacking roles but were missing Ieuan Riley ( suspended) and Chris Robson.
The first 10 minutes was not the best viewing and it took some time for Buckingham to get going, but as the half progressed the players became more relaxed and got into their stride.
Kyle Stimpson and James Wardell were using their pace to open up the defence and this gave more opportunities for the midfield to create chances and shots on goal.
The Chenecks keeper pulled off a reaction save from Ben Shepherd who hit the ball with some venom from 20 yards and Wardell Came close from short range.
Cory Lee and Graham Sands were working well in the centre of midfield, showing that not only technically good on the ball they can work hard in their respective positions and graft for the team.
The defence of Cross, Gale, Diamond and Jakub were working well on their shape with Mike bell only having to make a couple of half chance saves during the half.

The team came out after the break with more desire and a willingness to up their work rate for each other, for 20 minutes in the second half dominated the hosts.
Wardell again came close with a left foot shot, and with Stimpson and Bines adding to the chances it was only going to be time before BTFC would get the important first goal.
The goal came on 62 minutes, with Nick Bines crossing deep from a corner and Kyle Stimpson reacting to put the ball in the back of the net.
Chenecks came at Buckingham again and Mike Bell pulled off a fantastic save from a free kick to keep the score at 0-1.
BTFC were digging deep and really started to open the game up and Bines again came close on 78 minutes with a side foot shot after a superb counter attack.
The final goal came on 88 minutes when Nick Bines picked the ball up 25 yrds from the Chenecks goal, rounded 2 defenders and as the ball bobbled up, he created a superb chance for himself buy lobbing the keeper with the outside of his left boot! an outstanding individual goal and was appreciated by every BTFC player.

Final Score ON Chenecks 0 - 2 BTFC (Stimpson, Bines)

The players performed well on the day, and I could see that they wanted to prove a point, the work ethic in the second half especially was 100%.
I will always make players aware that upping their work rate in games will sometime get you more rewards that ability and if the players want to keep progressing they can take this game as a stepping stone showing that we can get our hands dirty and will always have the individual ability in the team to create chances.
It was also nice to see the team throwing their bodies in the way of the balls and backing each other up.
a clean sheet is also important for the team as a whole and Mike Bell our Goal keeper.
Well done lads!