LUCKLESS EVENING IN LANCASHIRE

Chasing a fourth Vanarama National League North win in a row, Buxton had a luckless evening in Lancashire, Tuesday February 4, as their hosts Chorley ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, swapping places in the league table.

Bucks' team manager John McGrath made one change to his starting line-up, with Tommy Elliott in for the suspended Josh Popoola. Latest loan signing Oli Ewing (Pictured) came off the bench at half-time. The 22-year-old central midfielder and Wales U21 international has joined for the remainder of the season from Premier League Leicester City.

Another loan deal has taken long-serving striker Diego De Girolamo to Macclesfield. Diego has scored 120 times for the Bucks in 229 appearances since signing in 2018. He started his career at Sheffield United and is an Italian U20 international, qualifying through his Naples-born father. Buxton sends all best wishes to the popular player.

This was a clinical display by Chorley, on a seven-match unbeaten run. Goals came in the 34th, 68th and 85th minutes. It was a closer game than the scoreline suggests and not all good news for Chorley. Their manager Andy Preece was sent off early in the second half.

John McGrath said afterwards: "We started really well and created good chances which should have put us in front. But we made defensive errors and suffered. This wasn't a 3-0 match overall but we have to accept the result. We'll regroup and are looking forward to Rushall this Saturday."

The Bucks go to Rushall Olympic on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off. The season's earlier league match at the Tarmac Silverlands produced a 2-0 win for the Bucks. In other fixture news; the Derbyshire Senior Cup match at home to Derby County Under 21’s will be played on Tuesday 4th March at 7-45.