Saturday 7th October 2023 | Myrak Park | Attendance 73 | ESL Premier League
Buckhurst Hill 5 – 4 Halstead Town
Stags Scorers:
Clark 44′
Zuhdu 48′ & 94′
Wray 88′
Bayon 92′
Where do we even begin with this extraordinary nine-goal thriller at Myrak Park? Buckhurst Hill and Halstead Town served up a feast of football that will be talked about for quite some time.
With an impressive record of six home wins in their last outings, Buckhurst Hill had established themselves as a formidable force at Myrak Park. However, Halstead Town arrived with the hope of securing all three points, and their physical advantage seemed evident from the outset.
The visitors wasted no time making their presence felt. Just two minutes into the match, a precise cross into the box found the head of their striker, who expertly nodded it home. The early deficit only grew worse for Buckhurst Hill as Halstead Town doubled their lead with a free-kick into the box that found an unmarked player, volleying the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
It was a nightmarish start for the home side, and Halstead Town continued to press their advantage. Another long ball found its way to their striker, who coolly slotted it home. With only thirty minutes played, the visitors held an astonishing 3-0 lead.
Despite the dire situation, Buckhurst Hill refused to capitulate. Just before halftime, a long ball into the box led to a penalty when Sackey was brought down. Clark calmly dispatched the spot-kick, offering a glimmer of hope.
As the second half commenced, Buckhurst Hill needed a dramatic turnaround to salvage the match. It didn’t take long for them to show their newfound determination, as substitute Zuhdu struck quickly after the break, giving them a lifeline.
The second half saw a transformed Buckhurst Hill side relentlessly piling on the pressure, with Halstead Town pushed against the ropes. However, against the run of play, a corner for the away side found its way into the box and was tucked home from close range, seemingly putting the game out of reach at 4-2.
With just ten minutes remaining, Buckhurst Hill made some crucial changes, including the introduction of Wray. It paid off as Wray was played in behind, rounded the keeper, and made it 4-3 with time ticking away.
In a dramatic climax, a through ball found Zudhu, who fired a shot across the box, and Bayon tapped it in. It was now an astonishing 4-4 in stoppage time.
With the final seconds counting down, Wray cleared his lines, launching a long ball that found Zudhu. He shrugged off a defender and slotted home with the last kick of the game. The scoreboard read 5-4, and surely, this match was a contender for the game of the season.
Both sides will be left scratching their heads – Halstead Town wondering how they lost, and Buckhurst Hill pondering how they won. Yet, after a second-half performance that left no doubt, there was only one deserving winner. It was an incredible spectacle and a testament to the unpredictable beauty of football.
COME ON YOU STAGS!
Buckhurst Hill Starting XI:
Reed (GK), Berg, Bayon, Sackey, Clark, Basden, Moncur, Williams (C), Nichol, Betts, Protic
Buckhurst Hill Substitutes: Johnson, Smart, Wray, Mansaray, Zuhdu
