Under 14’s Division 1 Bucks CC 3 Prestwood Colts 2.

Bucks CC’s habit of starting slow and finishing strongly, almost proved their undoing against a well organised Prestwood.

Within minutes of the start Zac Howes, Bucks keeper, had to make a good save and minutes later Bucks defender Michael Batt’s clearance hit his own bar.

Bucks gradually startedto play better football. A decisive ball from Bucks midfielder Michael Lord to Jacob Lowe saw his shot acrobatically turned over by the keeper.

The corner saw Bucks Michael Batt rise above everyone to head just wide. Prestwood endured a further 10 minutes of goal line pressure before Man of the Match, Leon Graham, set striker Damien Wierczorek, free to drive the ball home.

Bucks now dominated the game. Minutes later the Prestwood post saved them from going two down, then the upright saved the visitors again. Bucks got their just reward, when after two corners in quick succession, the Prestwood keeper could only parry a shot to Damien Wierczorek who slotted home the rebound.

Substitutions for two injured players Alex Wray and Reece Kedzierski, resulted in Bucks putting midfielder Mitch Collins into the back four and bringing on Ken Feyi into midfield.

Prestwood, sensing a rearranged Bucks might need time to settle, started the second half strongly and soon tested the Bucks defence. The outcome, a penalty for the visitors, which they duly converted.

Prestwood now had some momentum, but to no avail. A quick ball into the Prestwood penalty area saw Michael Lord brought down. Mitchell Collins coolly restored Bucks two goal advantage.

Bucks carried on hitting the woodwork or pulling outstanding saves from the Prestwood keeper.

With five minutes to go Prestwood brought another great stop from keeper Zac Howes, who pushed it onto the post and swept up the rebound, only for the referee to decide the ball had crossed the line.

Full time 3-2 to Bucks CC. A close result that had a lot to do with some outstanding goalkeeping and the role the woodwork had played throughout the match.