Buxton team manager Craig Elliott played down the effects of having eight regular first teamers and other squad members unavailable for Saturday's (November 18th) FA Trophy clash with City of Liverpool, because he did not want to detract from the efforts applied by the visitors from two tiers lower in football's pyramid. City of Liverpool won 3-1 at wind-swept Tarmac Silverlands.
Obviously, any team is going to struggle under the weight of so many absentees, mainly through injury, and the Bucks made a late signing to ease the situation a little, midfielder Will Bapaga, who had a pleasing debut. Will (Pictured), aged 21, has joined from Coventry City. He made his EFL debut for the Sky Blues as a 16-year-old.
City of Liverpool grew in confidence on Saturday and made life difficult for a makeshift Bucks defence, with goals after 46 and 70 minutes, then in added time. Connor Kirby scored a brilliant consolation for the Bucks after 81 minutes. Full Report HERE
Craig Elliott said: "I'm disappointed to lose but fair play to our opponents, who ground out victory. Things are not going our way and we've got to get through it. We can't get our best players out and we're on a frustrating run. The fans deserve better. They were fantastic and we were not. I will be working hard to sort it out.
"Not many players are due back and we have to look at trying to bring in new faces to help us out. Will Bapaga made an encouraging start."
Back to the Vanarama National League North and Buxton entertain Hereford on Tuesday (7.45pm) and Southport next Saturday (3pm).