Ath Hit Olney For Six

Steve Farmborough’s talented under 18’s side continued their impressive pre-season with another win at Olney, this time cruising to a 6-0 thrashing away from home. Again Ben Acquaye put on a fine display and consolidate his spot in a formidable starting 11. But apart from Acquaye, some new faces popped up on the score-sheet.

The first half began with a good intensity and Buckingham Athletic took little time to grow into the game and get moves working well. This was not always enough to get a goal however, as the wrong balls in the final third cost the side on several occasions from testing the keeping and opening the scoring. For a side of so much talent, the opening goal game from a slightly strange way. Some neat football played up the field meant Acquaye could aim a ball to Nathan Swift in the box but a touch off an Olney defender angled the ball towards goal and passed his own keeping leaving a scrambling Olney player to be disappointed at conceding the first goal so cruelly. An under par first half by ‘The Ath’s’ standards saw them go just one up at the break, however changes would change the game.

The second half saw the introduction of Ore Soetan, Brad Thurgood and Rory Busby, and all three made contributions to the side and to the game. Soetan gave Buckingham more width and had the ability to get down the right wing and get into good areas, Thurgood gave the midfield a more powerful approach and Busby came up with the goods in front of goal. The second goal of the tie came from a stunning lob from Samuel Olawale, his speed surprised most when he powered down the left hand side to get past his man and lift the ball over the keeper from 15 yards with a high, looping effort.

The goals then came flooding in when Acquaye added the third and Busby got the fourth, the pair went on to notch once more each with delightful goal, Busby turning well and hitting the top corner and Acquaye going around the keeper to slot away the sixth and final goal of the game.

In defence, Anson Chan deputised at centre-half and came up with an impressive display, helping the side claim a clean sheet along with fellow defenders Robbie Carter and Matthew Chew, as Buckingham got themselves a much needed and well-earned blank on their goal. All central midfield players excelled in the game as Chris Atkinson showed his class passing range, along with Hakeem Abdulla’s outstanding technique and finesse in his play.

Manager Farmborough was pleased with the squad and how it is coming along, “I’m very pleased with the way the team is developing in pre-season. The level of players we have is given me a massive headache in choosing the final squad for the coming season. Forget the score it's great to hear people complement us on the style of football we play.” As you can tell the talented bunch is not just the 16-odd squad players but from the roster of about 30 that Farmborough has at his deployment. This side could be on for a successful season.

Man of the match for the second game running was Ben Acquaye as his finishing, dribbling and interplay was impossible to defend at times.

Anson Chan slotted comfortably into the centre of defence