Manager Jamie Vermiglio has further added to the squad with the signing of ex-Harrogate Town midfielder Connor Kirby. Connor (23) came through the ranks at Sheffield Wednesday and has impressed in pre-season.
The Bucks came crashing down to earth in the pre-season match at Macclesfield yesterday, losing 4-0. Josh Granite missed the match through illness and there were once again a number of trialists on display as the squad takes shape before the start of the season. The Bucks best chance of scoring came early on when Diego De Girolamo’s shot was saved by Macc’s on-loan Brazilian ‘keeper Pitaluga with his leg but ‘the Silkmen’ dominated possession for long periods of the first half with ex-Sheffield United midfielder Mark Duffy pulling the strings.
The first goal came on 23 minutes when the ball broke to the left and former Hull City winger James Berry’s shot was too hard for Theo Richardson to keep out. The lead was doubled on 40 minutes when former Marine midfielder, Neil Kengni’s cut in from the right and his effort found the net. Kengni added the third with a ‘Dennis Tueart-esque’ overhead kick on 58 minutes and following the usual plethora of substitutes the Bucks started to come into the match, but Macclesfield added a 4th late on through ex-Telford United player Harry Bower.
The defeat was Buxton’s first in a pre-season match for over two years and followed a run of 10 straight victories in friendlies. There will be plenty for new manager Jamie Vermiglio to chew over before the next match, which is now next Saturday, away at leek Town (3pm). Tuesday’s planned friendly at home to Barnsley is now OFF due to the forecasted extreme heat.