Saturday 6th September BUXTON (1) 2 OXFORD CITY (0) 1 ATT 705

Despite remarkably lacking 9 front-line players (5 injured, 2 suspended & the 2 Bermudans on international duty), Buxton recorded a deserved if narrow victory in the 'university derby' on Saturday. After consecutive home defeats, the hosts and their fans were glad of their victory which allowed them to leapfrog the visitors to climb 6 places to stand 13th in the NLN table. In a match that improved as it went along, a high-quality goal in each half earned full points but they were in marked contrast to an opening quarter that lacked memorable action as 'the Bucks' probed for an opening while attacking the Ashwood End. City were disciplined & quick to close down their opponents & it took 20 minutes for the first hint of penetration when left-back 'Sammy' Robinson won a corner-kick at the dead-ball line. Dominating possession, Buxton took the lead in fine style just before the half-hour. First Robinson & then Luke Brennan won tackles at half-way on the left flank to mount an attack which saw the lively Oli Greaves crowded out, only for Brennan to regain possession & net from 17 yards with a curling right-footed drive into the far side-netting.

Powerful attack-leader Westendorf generally seemed by far Oxford's best hope of an effective response & captain Connor Kirby was needed to produce some decisive defensive work, but just prior to the interval a long ball forward released midfielder Parker for the visitors' only clear opening of the half. However, his understruck lob from a central position gave advancing 'keeper Paul Cooper a comfortable-enough catch. By then, 'the Bucks' had gone close to doubling their advantage. Cian Coleman, who was playing well in a more defensive midfield role, set up Luke Hall to cut in from the right & Greaves's flick at his delivery lifted the ball onto the roof of the net.

The second half brought a considerable improvement in the match's quality as the visitors pushed forward with more belief, but it was Coleman's unnecessary losing of possession in midfield that permitted their 51st-minute equaliser. Left-back Roddy then played a low, diagonal ball into the 6-yard box & ex-Farsley Celtic midfielder Compton-Sturridge applied the vital touch.

Undaunted by this momentary lapse, Coleman & 'the Bucks' pressed forward & just 3 minutes on went very close to regaining the lead as Trueman & Greaves did the initial work for Tai Sodje to cross from the left but Hall couldn't quite squeeze the ball home close to the far post. That the game had opened up was shown immediately as the effective Westendorf twice fired firm shots, each happily directly at Cooper, in City's best spell, yet Buxton looked well capable of scoring again & could hardly have gone closer than in the 65th minute when the impressive Hall cut in to fire a 20-yard drive flush against the far angle of post & bar'.

However, the winning goal was only 4 minutes delayed as Greaves most skilfully weaved his way along the right by-line to square the ball for Sodje to force the ball over the line from virtually standing on it! Two minutes further on, Hall fired a long-range diagonal pass to Brennan out on the left & the winger's cross glanced off the bar to safety. City were by no means out of contention but surprisingly in the closing stages didn't commit more players & more enterprise to attack, so Buxton recorded an important victory in highly unfavourable circumstances, giving a boost to confidence ahead of next Saturday's home F.A. Cup-tie versus Redditch Utd (at 3 pm.)

Bucks: Cooper; Trueman, Stephenson, Burton, Robinson; Kirby, Coleman; Hall (McLean 87), Greaves, Brennan; Sodje. Unused Subs: Melville, Tomlinson, Balfe & Cullen

 

Tuesday 2nd September SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC (2) 2 BUXTON (1) 1 ATT 765 (played at Bridlington Town F.C)

For the second time in 7 outings, the Buxton defence made a tentative start to a match, this time conceding twice in the first 3 minutes & thereby paying a heavy penalty in terms of lost points. After that torrid opening, 'the Bucks' showed character to battle back, went close to an equaliser, then enjoyed 2/3 of the possession, creating enough clear chances to have earned a reward.

Yet the odds were stacked against them as 7 front-line players were absent, with 4 injured,1 suspended & the 2 Bermudans on international duty (without the club having the right to postpone the fixture). Accordingly, 2 new players were drafted in & they produced promising performances. Attacking midfielder Oli Greaves, after a brief Silverlands spell 3 years ago, has returned from Newport County, while teenaged defender, Louis Stephenson, has come on a month's youth loan from National Leaguers, Hartlepool Utd, where formerly he had been a colleague of Kieran Burton. What's more, Scarborough had very much taken to their alternative seaside home by winning their first 3 home fixtures to stand 4th & started on the front foot to take a first-minute lead. 'The Bucks' failed to clear effectively & midfielder Colville fired home superbly from 22 yards. The visitors responded instantly with Greaves firing a shot to the near-post but from the resulting clearance ex-Silverlander & centre-back Jake Hull was able to double 'Boro's advantage by shooting into goal off a post, again giving 'keeper Paul Cooper no chance.

However, 'the Bucks' themselves looked a threat going forward & halved their arrears only 4 minutes on as the climax to a lightning-fast counter. Tai Sodje exploited a huge hole at the heart of the home defence to feed Greaves & from his right-flank cross, Luke Brennan steered the ball low inside the far post. The winger proved a threat all evening & only 10 minutes had elapsed when Buxton went very close to an equaliser as a combination of home 'keeper & post kept out a Sodje header.

Thereafter, the rival defences asserted themselves to reduce the drama but in the 38th minute the visitors created another good chance. Left-back 'Sammy' Robinson advanced to meet newcomer Luke Hall's lofted cross from the right but his angled, downward header passed the wrong side of the far post. Then 7 minutes into the second half, as 'the Bucks' were enjoying ample possession in the final third, came another gilt-edged opportunity, with Sodje's pace on the left setting him up for an accurate low cross but Hall hooked the ball over the bar from 12 yards.

Nonetheless, 'Boro' retained their lead & likewise made openings. Left-back & ex-Silverlander, Alex Brown, went on a forward run to produce 2 shots on goal, then his team, following a corner-kick, went close with a low cross-cum-shot that passed untouched across the face of goal. Manager John McGrath introduced all 3 of his attacking substitutes but they couldn't create the vital goal & it was the hosts who went closest in added time as a shot shaved a post.

On Saturday, Oxford City make their second visit to the Tarmac Silverlands at 3 p.m.

Bucks: Cooper; Stephenson, Bardell, Burton, Robinson; Kirby, Trueman; Hall (Coleman), Greaves (Tomlinson), Brennan; Sodje (McLean). Unused Subs: Melville & Balfe

 

Saturday 30th August  South Shields (0) 2 Buxton (2) 2 ATT 1814

Buxton were made to settle for a point after surrendering a two-goal lead against South Shields, with the away side going down to ten men. Inside two minutes, Tai Sodje put Buxton ahead, pressing high to win the ball from a loose touch by the goalkeeper before calmly putting it into an empty net. At the other end, South Shields threatened when Kieran Burton was forced to head clear a dangerous Walsh delivery into the box. Soon after, Sodje latched onto a long ball, showing strength to hold off his marker, though his eventual effort was comfortably held by the keeper. Buxton doubled their advantage in the 26th minute. Luke Brennan whipped in a pinpoint cross to Luke Hall, whose powerful header was saved at close range, only for Sodje to react quickest and nod home the rebound for 2-0. Chasing his hat-trick, Sodje once again won possession high up the pitch, but this time lifted a chipped effort over the crossbar. Just before the interval, Paul Blackett worked a shooting opportunity from a short corner, forcing Paul Cooper into a sharp stop at his near post.
After the restart, David Carson released Blackett down the wing, his strike blocked before Daniel Dodds blazed the rebound over the top. The visitors’ task was then made harder when Max Bardell received a second yellow card for a foul on Blackett inside the area. The forward stepped up himself and coolly converted from the spot to halve the deficit. With momentum swinging, South Shields pressed forward, and a deflected free-kick off Ryan McLean was parried by Cooper, only for Blackett to fire the rebound over. Cooper was tested again in the 83rd minute, standing firm to deny Blackett after he was slipped through by Cedwyn Scorr. Substitute Cayden Kelly eventually grabbed the equaliser, cutting inside smartly before driving a low finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-2. Despite late pressure from the home side, Buxton held firm to ensure they picked up a point against the league leaders.
Bucks: Cooper; Robinson, Bardell, Burton, Hill: Kirby, Trueman; Martin (Coleman), Hall (McLean), Brennan; Sodje (Tomlinson). Unused Subs: Melville, Balfe & Bingham

​

Monday 25th August BUXTON (1) 2 CURZON ASHTON (1) 3 ATT 752

The NLN fixture planners had dealt 'the Bucks' a promising Bank Holiday hand with matches against win-less opponents but having won at Telford on Saturday with a last-minute strike they disappointed their fans on Monday with a well below-par display, particularly in defence, as 3 preventable goals were conceded, the first as early as the 2nd minute. A lofted cross from the visitors' right was comfortably executed, the ball wasn't cleared effectively from the 6-yard box & striker Holmes, who had netted a Silverlands brace for Marine last season, drove home from 7 yards.

Changes by choice had been made for every game so far but injuries had played a major part by kick-off on Saturday with Young, Robinson, Johnston, Viggars & Ebanks ruled out of the starting line-up, while 'Nash' lacked experienced players in Spencer, Richards & Griffiths from a team rebuilt after a clutch of summer departures. Home manager John McGrath initially deployed a 3-4-1-2 system but the early deficit seemed a damper & the visitors were the more enterprising with the scorer sending an 18-yards curling shot beyond the far post & midfielder Curran directing a header at Paul Cooper.

However, in the 16th minute captain Connor Kirby raised spirits with a trademark 20-yard free-kick, but as against Hereford, his stunning effort rebounded to safety from the bar. Nonetheless the near-miss prompted an improvement in team play & within 4 minutes an equaliser had arrived. Luke Brennan won a tackle in midfield, then Cian Coleman's perfect pass to the right released Tai Sodje & his superbly-struck, low cross-shot found the far corner of the net. In the 2nd quarter of the match 'the Bucks' had the better of the exchanges & twice went close to a lead by half-time. Just past the half-hour, 'Nash' conceded an unnecessary corner-kick & from it Coleman had a shot blocked after which Kirby drove fiercely but narrowly wide. Ten minutes on an intricate passing move set up Coleman for a curling shot that passed over the target.

When half-time arrived, the home 'faithful' could well envisage their favourites building on the recent improvement to take full points but inexplicably the hosts could find neither fluency nor authority as the quality of the contest was proving equally disappointing. Then the visitors scored twice inside a quarter-hour, with the goals sharing a dismal similarity The irony was that the architect of both goals, with well-flighted corner-kicks, was none other than ex-Silverlander, Jack Stobbs, who in his one Buxton season just gone, had responsibility for dead-ball deliveries but never with such destructive results! Inadequate defending allowed first Charlie Weston in the 63rd-minute then fellow substitute Rodwell-Grant (ex-Warrington Town) in the 76th minute to head home the kicks directly inside the 6-yard box.

By the time the score had reached 3-1, 'Nash' had been reduced to 10 men by the dismissal of left-back Stafford for being shown a 2nd yellow & in the 79th minute Buxton halved the deficit as substitute winger Ryan McLean netted unmarked but skilfully at the near-post as an accurate Brennan corner-kick found him. Home pressure was maintained through 7 minutes of added time, but it proved in vain, even though a close-range Sodje shot was deflected narrowly wide.

'The Bucks' now face consecutive away fixtures in the east, firstly at undefeated South Shields next Saturday (at 3 pm), then on Tuesday, Sept 2nd, (kick-off 7-45 pm) versus Scarborough Athletic, who this season play their home fixtures at Bridlington Town. Following home defeats to struggling teams in Hereford & Curzon Ashton, 'the Bucks' are clearly in need of an improvement in levels of importance for these particularly challenging fixtures.

Bucks: Cooper: Bardell, Ward (McLean), Burton, Hill (Robinson); Kirby, Campbell (Martin); Trueman, Coleman (Tomlinson), Brennan; Sodje: Unused Subs: Melville, Ebanks & Balfe

 

Tuesday 19th August BUXTON (0) 1 HEREFORD (2) 2 ATT 709

Buxton suffered a 2nd consecutive defeat to a Hereford team which has now won on 3 of its 4 visits to the Tarmac Silverlands. Pointless & goal-less after meetings with 2 of the NLN's most-fancied outfits, 'the Bulls' throughout displayed an energy, commitment & intensity and thus deserved their victory.

As expected, 'the Bucks' fielded the side that had finished the previous match at Marine, apart from Kez Martin getting his first start of the season at left-back. Despite Hereford's eagerness to press whenever the hosts had possession, Buxton made headway in what was immediately a fast-paced encounter. A couple of corner-kicks were followed on the quarter-hour by Tate Campbell's through pass, but Luke Brennan couldn't quite make contact some 12 yards out. Then a left-flank attack set up Cian Coleman for a 19-yard effort that curled to finish just a yard wide.

Hereford likewise showed a willingness to attack, aided by ex-Silverlands 'keeper, Theo Richardson, who frequently dispatched accurate, long-struck clearances & free-kicks. When Max Bardell was tackled, there followed a diagonal ball across the home 6-yard area but Paul Cooper caught & held it. However, 'the Bulls' ex-Matlock forward, Remaye Campbell, struck a double blow of high-quality finishes within 8 minutes to give the visitors an interval lead. In the 36th minute he seized a loose ball 16 yards out in the corner of the home penalty area to net with a first-time, well-placed shot fired from the outside of his boot, giving Cooper no chance. If that was unfortunate for Buxton, Campbell's 2nd goal was partially self-inflicted. Seven minutes on he was left unmarked at a left-flank corner-kick & a bullet, near-post header doubled his team's advantage.

So 'the Bucks' began the 2nd half with much to do but, as had been the case on Saturday, they had yet to test the opposing 'keeper. However, that changed at the hour when Brennan's lofted corner-kick from the left cleared Theo but unluckily rebounded to safety from the inside of the far post. Yet shortly afterwards the hosts had their own good fortune. Cooper made a good save to end a rapid Hereford attack but from the resulting corner-kick Campbell was again left unmarked but this time his header didn't trouble the 'keeper. At the other end, Bardell's superb, 40-yard diagonal pass set Brennan away on a run on the left that ended with his low cross-shot shaving the far post.

Buxton made 2 pairs of substitutions & chances were created but Callum Ebanks, on for Ryan Viggars, couldn't open his account for his new club. A concerted, prolonged, 83rd-minute home attack offered a serious threat, but the substitute striker shot wide. As the pressure mounted, Hereford resorted to assorted time-wasting tactics & though referee Ben Robinson did dispense yellow-card retribution, he was unreasonably stingy by his award of a mere 5 minutes of added time & ultimately that may have cost 'the Bucks' dear as they halved the deficit in the 92nd minute with a splendid goal. Substitutes Ryan McLean & Tai Sodje combined on the right for the winger's delightful cross to be headed home by striker Sodje from 12 yards giving Theo no chance, but time soon ran out for the hosts.

Buxton play twice in 3 days over the Bank Holiday weekend. On Saturday they travel to promoted AFC Telford Utd (at 3pm), then on Monday entertain Curzon Ashton, also at 3 pm. 

Bucks: Cooper; Robinson, Bardell, Burton, Martin (Hill); Kirby, Campbell; Johnston (McLean), Coleman (Sodje), Brennan; Viggars (Ebanks). Unused Subs: Melville, Trueman & Ward

 

Saturday 16th August MARINE (1) 2 BUXTON (0) 1 ATT 1318

It was a mostly disappointing afternoon for 'the Bucks' & their many travelling fans at Crosby as the visitors struggled to engage home 'keeper Spinelli for nearly 80 minutes despite enjoying an overall 70 % possession but, after 4 successful substitutions had been made, they at last clicked into gear, equalised & suddenly looked the more likely winners, only to concede a bizarre 2nd goal at the very end.

Buxton's only change was for 'keeper Paul Cooper to retain his position as Joe Young was not considered after going off injured the previous Saturday. As ever he very much looked the part, looking particularly secure in the air under challenge from several very tall 'Mariners' but, among others, he was arguably at fault for Marine's winning goal.

Cooper was busy immediately as Marine seized the initiative, making 3 attempts on goal, none of them threatening, in the first 2 minutes. The hosts continued to press, and scored in the 9th minute following a lofted free-kick from the right. The ball fell to close-season signing Newell from Bala Town & he netted at close range. Buxton's wide men looked the best bet for progress in open play, but Spinelli had still not been tested when captain Connor Kirby hit the top of the bar with a fiercely-struck free-kick from 27 yards after 21 minutes & that unsatisfactory situation still applied when another Kirby free-kick from distance cleared the bar just prior to half-time. By then, there had been a couple of intense physical incidents which happily were not repeated in the 2nd half when 'the Bucks' continued to strive in vain for clear openings.

By 3/4 time Buxton manager John McGrath had made 4 changes in the attempt to turn possession into penetration in attack. Midfielder Cian Coleman had replaced Callum Ebanks at half-time, then Deniche Hill, Ryan Viggars & Tate Campbell were introduced at the expense of George Ward, Tai Sodje & Will Trueman. The revised line-up in the familiar formation took only a little time to settle & in the 71st minute Hill & Brennan combined for the latter's cross to provide Johnny Johnston with a close-range header that forced Spinelli's 1st save of the afternoon. Then in the 79th minute the same partnership on the left saw the winger advance along the left by-line to set up the ever-predatory Coleman just a few yards out & also as ever his finishing was assured. At 1-1 the initiative was now firmly with the visitors & to all there seemed to be only one likely winner. Just 2 minutes on, Brennan was again the provider as Campbell from 16 yards forced the 'keeper into a fine, low save at the expense of a corner-kick. Marine made 2 more changes in an attempt to stem the tide but Whelan, one of the recent substitutes, was sent off in the 94th minute after seeing yellow twice in his 6 minutes on the pitch. The dismissal served further to emphasise Buxton's authority, but it was the 'Mariners' surprise 98th-minute goal which won the game as, to their credit, 'the Bucks' were trying so hard (too hard as it turned out !) still to find a winner. However, they 'left the back door open' as another Brennan corner-kick was cleared rapidly upfield. Cooper was forced to advance towards half-way to make a clearance but that proved inadequate & from 30 yards, the hosts' longest- serving player, winger Sinclair-Smith, found a perfect finish as his looping shot cleared Hill who had got back to the goal-line.

Defeat was indeed stunning, but the successful substitutions made should give the management team a clear view of how to proceed at home to point-less Hereford on Tuesday evening at 7-45 pm.

Bucks: Cooper; Robinson, Bardell, Ward (Viggars), Burton; Kirby, Trueman (Campbell); Johnston, Sodje (Hill), Brennan; Ebanks (Coleman). Unused Subs: Melville, Martin & McLean

 

Saturday 9th August 2025 BUXTON (1) 2 RADCLIFFE (1) 1 ATT 957

In front of a bumper, opening-day crowd of 957, 'the Bucks' achieved a narrow victory over a resilient, experienced visiting side which by half-time had seemed the superior force after equalising Buxton's 1st-minute goal.

The hosts had 5 debutants on view, plus 'keeper Joe Young making a 2nd debut, yet only 45 seconds had elapsed when they took the lead thanks to a superbly-crafted goal. Attacking the Ashwood End, ex-Derby centre-back Max Bardell, one of the debutants & an outstanding defender, surged from half-way to set up right-winger Johnny Johnston & from his threatening low cross, Luke Brennan hammered the ball into the roof of the net. It was probably the fastest start to a Silverlands season in living memory! A mere 2 minutes later, skipper Connor Kirby had visions of doubling the lead with his 22-yard power-drive flashing not far wide.

However, Radcliffe's well-seasoned team soon recovered as the visiting midfield trio took a grip, making openings which seriously challenged the home rearguard. Just 10 minutes after the goal, ex-Silverlander Brad Jackson sliced badly wide as a neat passing move gave him a clear shooting opportunity 15 yards out, then defender Thornley advanced to fire a 25-yard drive but into Young's midriff. Both debutant Tai Sodje (ex-Man City) & Johnston were victims of foul play with another ex-Silverlander, midfielder Matt Sargent, twice fortunate to escape a caution, though referee Churchill, officiating at Step 2 for the first time, may well have been following the new directive of showing fewer cards than was the case last season. 'Boro's 42nd-minute equaliser came as no surprise though its manner did. Visiting veteran winger Jon Taylor (28 League 2 appearances last season for Salford City) swung over a left-flank corner-kick, with the ball passing into goal otherwise untouched, though film evidence revealed an undetected foul in the very crowded 6-yard box.

Immediately after the interval Radcliffe continued in the same vein but then 'the Bucks' showed improvement & Johnston even found the net in the 56th minute, but Brennan's long cross to the far post had passed out of play. Three minutes on & Johnston went close again, curling a low shot narrowly beyond the far post after he had robbed Thornley in the tackle on the right flank. Yet in the 66th minute, the winner did arrive, & in thrilling fashion! Connor Kirby fastened onto a loose ball to unleash a 17-yard 'screamer' that thundered into the far side-netting never more than a few inches above the surface.

Four minutes earlier Cian Coleman had been introduced & his midfield contribution helped to limit Radcliffe's threat, which was restored somewhat by the visiting management making 3 forward substitutions in the 73rd minute. Radcliffe did exert some pressure but the excellent home 'keeper Paul Cooper, the interval substitute for the injured Joe Young, was equal to several attempts on goal. He tipped a lofted free-kick over the bar, made a fine save from a fierce drive & then produced a crucial low catch & hold in added time. After the final whistle Radcliffe's Maynard was shown a red card for violent conduct.

So, like last season 'the Bucks' have started this campaign with a narrow 2-1 home win & will now hope to build on it with next Saturday's visit to Marine at Crosby.

Bucks: Young (Cooper); Robinson, Bardell, Ward, Burton; Kirby, Trueman (Campbell), Sodje (Coleman); Johnston, Ebanks (Viggars), Brennan (Martin). Unused Subs: Hill & McLean

 

Saturday 2nd August WARRINGTON TOWN (0) 0 BUXTON (1) 2 Pre-season friendly ATT 319

Buxton's 7th & last pre-season friendly proved successful for 'the Bucks' both in terms of avoiding injury & the favourable result which was, at the 8th attempt, the first success versus 'the Wire' on their own turf. Even more important, the contest provided the management with more evidence for their decision later in the week regarding the line-up for Saturday's season-opener at home to Radcliffe.

The spirited home side, rebuilt after relegation from NLN, offered an attacking threat in each half & could consider themselves a shade unlucky to trail at the interval. The visiting rearguard in each half was tested as a number of shots were blocked & excellent 'keeper Paul Cooper had to produce a superb save from Daly's well-struck,13th-minute penalty-kick that followed George Ward's undisputable foul on Gabidon. Then just prior to half-time, at 0-1, Gabidon, from distance, produced a curling shot that looped high over Cooper to rebound from the bar. For the 2nd half, in a minor reshuffle, Deniche Hill at left-back replaced centre-back Ward & the defence appeared generally secure despite the hosts forcing several corner-kicks.

Buxton dominated possession throughout to score their goals late in each half. The first resulted from Luke Brennan's run to be clear on the left, & from his low cross, Ryan Viggars, enjoying another successful half, squeezed the ball home from a few yards out. Then in the 86th minute, substitute Johnny Johnston latched onto a defence-splitting through ball, rounded the 'keeper and fired into the unguarded goal.

There were several sound individual performances among the outfielders with none better than that of ex-Derby centre-back Max Bardell, who struck one glorious 60-yard diagonal pass to pick out Hill in the clear on the left flank. He was 1 of 6 players who were on-field throughout & this was perhaps 1 factor considered by those fans attempting to predict next Saturday's starting line-up!

Bucks: Cooper; Robinson, Bardell, Ward, Burton; Kirby; Martin, Trueman, Campbell, Brennan; Viggars. Used Subs: Hill, Johnston, Ebanks, Coleman and McLean

 

Tuesday 29th July BUXTON (0) 0 STOCKPORT COUNTY 'B' (1) 1 ATT 363

After 7 goals scored in consecutive victories, Tuesday evening's defeat came as something of a reality check showing that, after a somewhat sub-standard performance, there is still work to be done prior to the NLN season kicking off on August 9th. In a couple of ways, it was a night of experiments by the home management. The first half formation was as seen previously but on Tuesday recent signing, Max Bardell, figured in his alternative position of right-back, while after half-time a system featuring 3 centre-backs was tried with Bardell, George Ward & Kieran Burton the defensive trio. The hosts kept a 2nd-half 'clean sheet' but couldn't create a sufficiently clear opening to equalise County's 18th-minute, well-made goal. The visitors' particular strength was their ability to counter-attack rapidly & dangerously through the most effective forward on view, the pacy, highly promising Aron Allen, who took his goal well with a low shot off the trialist 'keeper's body after an accurate low cross had capped a quick break on the right.

The evening produced only that one goal, but the match had quality as both sides attacked with attractive passing soccer that led to penalty-area play at both ends. The nearest 'the Bucks' came to a goal was in the 13th minute when left-back Deniche Hall delivered an accurate lofted cross from the left flank for striker Callum Ebanks to head against the near post. The number 9 has still to find the net for his new club, but he played his part in several attacks in that first half towards the Ashwood End with a variety of neat passes & flicks.

After County's goal, the home response was an immediate passing move for midfielder Tate Campbell, returning from injury, to set up Cian Coleman for a low cross-shot that passed narrowly beyond the far post. Thereafter a fierce, rising Hill shot was expertly tipped over by former Marine loan 'keeper, Wogan, while Coleman's fine, lofted, curled effort just missed the far post.

In the 2nd half Buxton's changed formation generally could find neither the fluency nor the creative ability of previous outings but nonetheless there were encouraging features such as Hill's great pace when attacking up the left, plus Luke Brennan's ability to beat his man to cross threateningly from the by-line. One such attack came in the 84th minute but, from a difficult position, an Ebanks header looped over the bar.

Buxton complete their pre-season programme at Warrington Town on Saturday at 3 pm before returning to the Tarmac Silverlands on Saturday, August 9th, for the opening NLN fixture versus Radcliffe, also at 3 p.m.

Bucks: Trialist; Bardell, Ward, Burton, Hill; Kirby; Johnston, Campbell, Coleman, McLean; Ebanks. Used Subs: Melville, Trueman, Brennan, Viggars, Martin, Balfe.

 

Saturday 26th July BUXTON (1) 3 MANCHESTER CITY UNDER 21 X1 (0) 2 ATT. 644

After consecutive pre-season encounters versus non-league opponents, on Saturday Buxton undertook a very different challenge when entertaining a team of Premiership starlets from the Etihad in a thoroughly entertaining match that promised much for the hosts' NLN season.

Apart from Luke Brennan forcing an early corner, the opening quarter saw both these footballing sides probing & sparring but that ended in the 25th minute at the Ashwood End as a searing run & shot by visiting winger, Ryan McAido (17), brought the best out of home 'keeper, Paul Cooper, with a flying save. Yet the hosts, nearing half-time, responded in equally exciting fashion as latest signing, centre-back Max Bardell from Derby County, speared a loose ball narrowly wide of goal from 22 yards, but that proved to be a prelude to the opening goal within a minute. Will Trueman's pass allowed Johnny Johnston to drive to the right by-line at pace from where he produced a firm, low cut- back for the onrushing & impressive Ryan Viggars to thrash home skilfully from 8 yards.

Eleven minutes into the 2nd half 'the Bucks' doubled their advantage with another well-made & well-taken goal. Johnston's run down the right made the opening & when Trueman created space centrally, Brennan picked his spot inside a post from 10 yards. However, the hosts conceded a goal just 6 minutes later after first earning credit for some neat short- passing, under pressure, deep in the left side of their defence. An interception was made to set up American debutant, Cavan Sullivan. (not 16 till September & the youngest player on view), for a sharp, low, 15-yard finish inside the near post. The unremitting action produced another goal 4 minutes later in a fashion that puzzled many in the healthy- sized crowd. Premiership referee, Darren England, the highest- status official to have acted at the Tarmac Silverlands in recent times, spotted a hand- ball offence in the home penalty area & Divine Mukasa netted fiercely & impressively from 'the spot' to level the scores at 2-2.

Buxton made 5 second- half substitutions & the visitors 9, including Reigan Heskey (17), the son of former England international, Emile, but the quality of the play was maintained to the end as Buxton in particular continued to carve out openings, with 3 of their substitutes significantly involved. Cian Coleman forced a corner- kick then both Ryan McLean & Callum Ebanks were close to a decisive touch near goal, but the winner did follow a minute later in the 77th. Ebanks & Coleman created the opportunity for Brennan to show maximum composure in sliding the ball wide of 'keeper Jack Wint into the far side netting. Even then there was more excitement as in the 89th minute 'the Bucks' were close to doubling their advantage again at a corner but City broke away rapidly & it needed a 50-yard, high-speed recovery run by McLean to deny the ever-threatening Sullivan the chance of an equaliser.

After such superb fare, Buxton will play their last home friendly on Tuesday evening versus Stockport County 'B' (at 7-30 pm) before wrapping up their pre-season programme at recently- relegated Warrington Town next Saturday (at 3 pm). 'The Bucks' open their NLN season on Sat. August 9th at home to Radcliffe (at 3 pm).

Bucks: Cooper; Robinson, Bardell, Ward, Burton; Kirby; Trueman, Johnston, Martin, Brennan; Viggars. Used Subs: Trialist, Coleman, McLean, Ebanks, Balfe

 

Saturday 19th July BUXTON (1) 1 BURY (1) 1 ATT. 669 Pre-season friendly

In the most feisty & competitive pre-season friendly seen at the Silverlands in years, the new-look Buxton had an intensive work-out versus the recently-promoted phoenix club, Bury F.C., who clearly saw another opportunity, after defeating Chester 3-1 last weekend, to boost their confidence against an opponent positioned 2 levels higher in the pyramid. As a result, E.F.L.referee Jamie O'Connor had his work cut out to keep all the players on the pitch as the match had every appearance of a fiercely-contested league or cup match.

Some 36 hours back from their 5-day trip to Dublin, 'the Bucks' displayed over the 90 minutes a blend of 5 new signings, including the returning former loanee, Cian Coleman as a permanent recruit, 2 trialists, 8 returning favourites & a promising Academy scholar in Harry Balfe. They were fully extended by most capable visitors who will surely be a leading light in the NPL (West) Division, with 'keeper Paul Cooper in the first half forced into regular action. Yet the first attempt on goal fell to home striker , Johnny Johnston, who was played in by new left-back Deniche Hill (from Leicester City), but 'keeper Allen thwarted him & Bury responded immediately & effectively as ex-Silverlander 'D.J' Pedro fed striker Johnson for a near-miss. The visitors continued to make openings with Cooper twice forced to show his considerable shot-stopping ability.

Both teams played a pleasing brand of passing soccer including a neat Bury move that set up midfielder Evans for a low,15-yards cross-shot that narrowly missed the far post, while the hosts created a penetrative passing attack but Kez Martin from similar range fired high over the bar.On 35 minutes Bury scored first as Pedro set up ex-Scarborough midfielder Kieran Glynn for a crisp, close-range finish & within a minute Pedro's deflected shot brought another good save out of Cooper. Five minutes later 'the Bucks' equalised as Martin & Johnston combined on the right to provide new midfielder Tate Campbell with the position from which he struck a delightfully accurate, 12-yards,finishing shot inside the far post. Then Cooper founded off the half with a flying save from Pedro's 25-yard drive to seal his award of the sponsors' Man-of-the-Match.

A trialist 'keeper was Cooper's replacement for the second half & he too was forced into spectacular action with an instinctive tip-over save from an Evans effort following a 19-yards, centrally-placed free-kick & he then produced a very effective punch to clear the ensuing lofted corner-kick. The usual multiple substitutions dominated proceedings in the last quarter while the exchanges continued to the end to be both lively & even.

The next fixture in Buxton's pre-season programme is on Tuesday at Matlock Town (kick-off 7-30 p.m) with the Markovitz Cup, currently held by Buxton, at stake, before the talented Manchester City Under-21 team, doubtless packed with future stars, visit the Tarmac Silverlands next Saturday at 3 p.m.

Bucks: Cooper (Trialist); Trueman), Trialist, Burton, Hill (Balfe); Campbell (Kirby); McLean (Brennan), Johnston, Coleman, Martin: Ebanks (Viggars).