Club skipper Josh Granite and vice-captain Sean Newton picked a strong team for Buxton's visit to Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup (Tuesday December 6th) and led them to a 2-1 win that was more convincing than the scoreline suggests. The pair's only disagreement was that Josh said they should have been three or four up by half-time and Sean's view was that it could have been more.
Diego de Girolamo was among the starters for the first time in weeks and obliged with a brace of well-taken goals after 12 and 25 minutes. Diego could easily have had a hat-trick in a side that had a more attacking look, with his inclusion alongside Scott Boden and wide support from Harry Bunn and Jack McKay.
Hosts Matlock changed formation after the break and were more competitive, pulling back a goal after 72 minutes, but the result was never in doubt after Diego's early strikes.
"First half we were electric and made some great chances," said Josh Granite. "After the break we suffered a string of injuries and it was a closer affair but we dug in against a battling team." Sean Newton added that it was a good workout for the Bucks. "To a man, they worked their socks off."
Victory at neighbours Matlock ended a five-games losing run which had seen exits from two cup competitions. Now, there is a confidence running through the team as they prepare to take on Peterborough Sports at the Tarmac Silverlands on Saturday (3pm). The clubs met for the season's opener and drew 1-1, since when Peterborough have settled into the top half of the table, winning four times away from home.