Buxton had every reason to feel confident of a positive result from their Vanarama National League North visit to Bishop’s Stortford (Saturday November 4) but the form book counted for nothing, as the home side ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.
Having their first season at this level since winning the Isthmian Premier League, the Blues from Hertfordshire have been finding it tough and were on a long losing run, most recently 6-1 at Scunthorpe. Conversely, the Bucks, with an unchanged side, entered Saturday’s fray on the back of a 2-1 win against league leaders Tamworth.
The Bucks had the better of the early exchanges and were to dominate possession throughout, but without taking advantage. When Tosin Olumefi’s diving header made it 1-0 on the half-hour there was insufficient response from Craig Elliott’s men and they went further behind from straightforward goals after 49 and 53 minutes. Eoin McKeown (Pictured) produced the face saver for the Bucks: 3-1 with a far post diving header after 67 minutes.
Team manager Craig did not hide his disappointment. He said: “I was shocked by our lack of response to their opener and the attitude of some Buxton players was just not what we expect.
“After having the best chances early on we didn’t play well enough and the Blues deserved their victory. Their attitude was bang on, ours was not. We will have to improve to get anything from Tuesday’s game.”
On Tuesday the Bucks go to full-time professionals South Shields, who are second top of the table. They won 1-0 at home to Tamworth on Saturday, moving ahead of Scunthorpe United and Spennymoor Town. Kick-off is set for 7.45pm. Next at home, on Saturday, will be Farsley Celtic (3pm kick-off) and the away game at Chester on Tuesday 15th of November is now OFF due to the hosts needing a replay in the FA Cup, a new date will be sorted soon.