Pre-Season Starts With Victory

BUXTON (2) 6 DROYLSDEN (1) 1 ATT 411

Buxton, led by new manager Jordan Broadbent & assistant Stuart Watkiss, made a highly promising start to the pre-season programme with a convincing victory over former rivals, Step 5 Droylsden, even allowing for the gap in status. The hosts fielded virtually 2 completely different teams, including 9 of last season's favourites, all 7 new signings, 3 trialists & 3 Academy local products.

'The Bucks' dominated proceedings throughout, though 'the Bloods', particularly in the first half, had attacking ambitions that required concentration in defending, with a trialist left-back figuring prominently. The visitors did score once, just past the half-hour with the hosts already, deservedly 2-0 up, but the goal owed much to the trialist 'keeper dwelling too long in possession, only to be robbed by striker Atwell. By then, a brace of Kian Scales passes had set up first Johnny Johnston, in the 23rd minute, and right-back 'Sammy' Robinson, 5 minutes later, for neatly-taken goals.There was ample bright,attacking play, much of it orchestrated by central midfielder Scales, who had previously turned out for Farsley (on loan), Scunthorpe & Radcliffe (again on loan) versus Buxton.

The opening to the 2nd half was certainly sensational as inside 12 minutes the score was advanced from 2-1 to 6-1 with Tai Sodje & newcomer, Sisa Tuntulwana, netting all the goals! Tai netted the first, at close range, inside 40 seconds, while Sisa made it 4-1 only a minute later as from the right he powerfully cut through the visitors' defence to produce a composed finish. Tall, athletic and confident in possession, he immediately looked good value for his transfer fee and an exciting foil for the happily fit-again Sodje, who then completed a 12-minutes hat-trick with 2 more close-range,sharp strikes, the first created from good work by Cian Coleman. Sisa went close late on to claiming a 2nd goal but his powerful drive struck a Railway End post.

So there was much to enjoy in this opening encounter, with former favourites plus new ones combining in a familiar formation to produce a recognisable, effective pattern of play. What's more, there were enough good individual performances in each half to suggest that there will be keen competition for starting places when the NLN kicks off on August 8th.

On Tuesday the Bucks play at St George's Park against FC Brava, behind closed doors, and next Friday (10th July) at 7-45 pm Buxton are at home when taking on Ashton Utd.