Buckingham Town Reserves 5 AFC R&D XI 3

Despite scoring three cracking goals, an AFC R&D XI made up of a mix of U18 and first team squad members slipped to a 5-3 defeat by Buckingham Town reserves in a game played in Bletchley on Monday evening. The Diamonds XI had fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1 shortly after half-time, but Robins striker Danny Simpson was able to take advantage of the changes made to the Diamonds back line to help himself to four second half goals.

The Diamonds XI included 6 members of the first team squad in the starting XI, with Ashley Meeks on the bench. The game kicked off 25 minutes late due to a change in the match officials, with the match played at the Bletchley Town ground at Manor Fields, Fenny Stratford.

After Kai Carter had opened the scoring for the Robins, an excellent 35 yard strike by Louis Smith had pulled the Diamonds level by half-time, and then immediately at the start of the second period Jamie O’Grady capped a fine performance raiding forwards from full-back to slot home a Matthew Brady through-ball after good work from Louis Smith.

With the Diamonds 2-1 ahead their management team of Mark Walsh and Dean Thomas made a series of changes, and then had to watch Robins’ striker Danny Simpson net three goals to put the home side 4-2 ahead. The Robins’ keeper then made a good save from Manny Soetan, and saw Soetan fire another good chance over the bar before another excellent strike, this time from 25 yards by Matthew Brady, gave the Diamonds some hope with one minute left in the gathering gloom, but Simpson netted his fourth goal and the Robins fifth less than a minute later.

Please note that the Diamonds first team welcome Buckingham Athletic to the Dog and Duck on Tuesday evening.

Diamonds Man of the Match: Jamie O’Grady

Attendance: Approx 50

Photographs courtesy of Mal Swinden