One of the expected features of pre-season is the wide variety of opponents encountered and there was certainly a broad gulf between the worldly-wise, experienced physicality of Worksop Town last Tuesday and Saturday's youthful 'Terriers'. However, these opponents did have one thing in common as both were reduced to 10 men shortly after half-time for fouls by defenders.
Of the 5 men missing at Worksop, 3 were back for the recently-arranged encounter but attackers Djavan Pedro & Jack Stobbs have yet to recover. Nonetheless 'the Bucks' dominated throughout and, driving towards the Ashwood End, went close in the first minute as a promising trialist saw his close-range effort pawed away by 'keeper Reever, but there was to be no escape for the visitors 10 minutes later as another trialist striker netted Diego's low cross. The scorer again went close with a hooked shot just wide of the far post. Then 5 minutes before the interval he doubled his tally, again from close range, as he converted the trialist left-back's diagonal ball. Yet the goal was made possible by 'keeper True Grant's inch-perfect,60-yard pass to the left flank-surely a contender already for the 'assist of the season'. Soon afterwards the visitors made their best opening to date but Falls fired high over the bar from 15 yards.
The dismissal of defender Mishhro only 3 minutes into the 2nd half emphasised Buxton's continuing control but the double-marksman twice couldn't net from promising positions before he did complete his hat-trick in the 74th minute, close to goal, converting a rapid move built by Diego and midfield substitute, Liam Ravenhill. Almost immediately, the visitors only experienced player, the giant 6' 9" striker, Kyle Hudlin (ex-Solihull), couldn't hit the target after skilfully creating his own opportunity. Finally, a rapid run through midfield and a perfect pass by another midfield substitute, Will Trueman, set up Diego but he shot wide.
Afterwards manager John McGrath (Pictured) declared himself to be well pleased with the confidence-boosting victory & 3rd consecutive 'clean sheet' prior to the 'double-header' versus neighbouring teams: Matlock Town at home on Tuesday (7-45p.m) & Macclesfield away on Saturday (3pm).
In other fixtures news, the Bucks will play their first three games of the season all at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium. This is due to a reversal of the 2 matches with Farsley Celtic due to the Yorkshire side having a 3g pitch installed.
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