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).