Rarely do Curzon Ashton make it easy for visiting teams and Buxton had to work hard for their 3-0 win in the Vanarama National League North on Saturday February 3rd. The victory, nonetheless, was convincing, with goals from Sam Osborne sandwiching a successful penalty kick by Jak McCourt.
Bucks' recently-signed goalkeeper Joe Young gave a confident display behind a solid back five, the midfield was quick and creative, and although there were missed chances in front of goal, the home 'keeper was kept busy.
Sam Osborne scored the opener, a powerful drive after 55 minutes, added a second 10 minutes later, then had to be substituted through injury, denying him a possible hat-trick. The penalty, in the 61st minute, was the result of a crude tackle on Jake Wright and led to Curzon Ashton's Marcus Poscha receiving a red card. Full Match Report HERE
The Bucks gave a debut to left-sided defender Adam Livingstone, newly signed from Hereford and making an impressive start as replacement for Zaine Francis-Angol, who suffered a broken leg in the recent Brackley match. Adam, 25, started out with Motherwell and played for them in the Scottish Premiership, was transferred to Cove Rangers and then Clyde, where he was a player of the year, before heading to England for spells with Stafford Rangers, Hednesford Town and AFC Telford United, latterly turning out 25 times for Hereford.
Bucks' team manager Craig Elliott was pleased with the performance of his latest recruit and the rest of the players, describing the result as "a good performance and a real team effort, in control throughout." He said "Our travelling fans were great as well, such a bonus for us. Next we look forward to the visit of a Derby County side and we'll be picking a team to win."
Derby County Under-21s visit the Tarmac Silverlands for the quarter-final of the Cawarden Derbyshire Senior Cup on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm. The Bucks are holders of the Senior Cup. Next Saturday it will be Blyth Spartans away in the league, 3pm start.