Where has it all gone so right?

From relegation candidates to mid-table certainties in the space of 10 games.  It’s been one hell of a turnaround and it’s all thanks to one man – Martin McIntosh.  But that’s not where the story of the season starts.  August seems a millions years ago but we started the season under the stewardship of John Reed and Clive Freeman.  After Buxton went through 15 different managers in 15 years, Reed and Freeman brought stability.  They were at the club for 4 and half successful season in which The Bucks finished in the top 8 three out of four years, even getting to the Play-Off final in their first term, only to lose out to an impressive Gateshead team.

John Reed and Assistant Clive Freeman (Picture: Buxton Advertiser)

Early season optimism was soon put to bed however, with just 3 wins from the opening 10, including 2 heavy home (both 0-4) defeats to FC United and Marine and 5 straight losses to open the campaign.  Early exits in the FA Cup and Trophy did little to take the pressure of the management team. 2 wins in September eased pressure but with the team on yet another bad run, this time no wins in 7, Buxton travelled to Brigg Town in the Doodson Sport League Cup in November.  With a scratch side, Buxton prevailed but the night will be remembered for events post match.  John Reed and Clive Freeman left the club by “mutual consent”.  He record for the season stood at: P23 W7 D1 L15 (includes all cup games).  Overall, across all 4 and a half seasons, he record stood at: P229 W99 D49 L81, a win percentage of 43%

Maxfield appointed Interim Manager. (Picture: Buxton Advertiser)

With Buxton 19th with just 16 points, Scott Maxfield was put in temporary charge and he appointed Chris Dolby (formerly of Sheffield Club) as assistant where they stayed for the next 13 games. Any hopes of a turnaround were soon dashed though.  He began his managerial career by bringing in Peter Davdison(North Ferriby), James Baxendale(Doncaster), Oliver Banks(Rotherham) and, most inspired of all, Bradley Barraclough(Lincoln City), all on loan bar Davidson.  However, even with the new additions to the squad, results didn’t improve.  Two 0-0 draws and two 3-1 losses preceded back-to-back wins for the first time since Mid-September. A morale boosting 4-3 win at Whitby was followed by Maxfield getting sent off for kicking over a water bottle against Matlock.  However no wins in the next 6 games, which included 3 consecutive 3-1 losses left the Buxton board holding a meeting to decide whether to appoint a more permanent manager. Maxfield’s record read as: P13 W2 D4 L7, a win percentage of just 15%.

McIntosh has been vital in changing Buxton's fortunes around
(Picture: Buxton Advertiser)

At one point Buxton were 7 points adrift and looked certainties to be in the Evo-Stik Premier League Division 1 North/South next season.  Cometh the hour, cometh the man.  Martin McIntosh was appointed in an brave attempt to save the club from near-certain relegation.  He brought in several new players, like Marc Roberts(Worksop), Steve Istead(Eastwood) and Adie Hawes(Alfreton).  The first thing he addressed was the fitness levels.  With 3 training sessions in 8 days (helped by the fact a few games were postponed), the players did nothing but work on their fitness, even to the point of weighing players.  It was revealed Grant Black has (apparently) lost nearly a stone in weight alone!

Barraclough's goals have been essential to Buxton's survival bid.

His first game was against Mickleover Sports in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Semi-Final.  And the difference was there for all to see. The Buxton players – who had not played a game for 2 1/2 weeks – were faster to the ball.  Mickleover’s players were dropping like flies with cramp and one player complained to the annoyed crowd, “Give us a break, we haven’t played for 3 weeks!”.  Neither had we.  It went all the way to Penalties, thanks to some pretty poor finishing, but Buxton won 6-5 to book our 3rd final in 4 years at Saltergate/B2Net Arena.  In a competition where, bafflingly, loan players can’t play, the Buxton faithful had to reserve judgement on the “new” team.  It was a baptism of fire for the manager as his first league game was Champions Elect Chester FC – away.  We lost 4-0 and every team around us won.  It was a bleak day and the prognosis on the season got even worse.

Reed's 8 goals in the April have seen Buxton beat the drop. (Picture:Buxton Advertiser)

We needn’t have worried.  Although Buxton were 20th with just 23 points, things were about to get a lot better.  Our defence looked stronger with a two tall, strong center backs in Adie Hawes and Marc Roberts.  In mid-field, despite his size, Steve Istead is not a player you would want to play against.  He’s feisty, gets stuck in and hassles the opposition.  Peter Davidson has developed in to a vital player, scoring some brilliant long range goals, and his passing game is very good.  And the front 2 of Barraclough and Reed have been bang in form, add in Lugsden tearing down the wing and it’s enough to strike fear in to any defence.  Josh Wilde is starting to look like the player he was last season, while Grant Black has got fitter while Neil Stevens has found form in midfield.

The foundations were set.  After winning 2 games in 2 game against Burscough and Ashton, Buxton lost to Bradford despite more than matching the home side.  We then faced 3 massive, season defining “relegation 6-pointers” against Mickleover, Frickley and Chasetown.  The Bucks were a class above in every game, scoring 3 against each team while conceding just twice across the 3 games.  New found confidence was found and hopes were high, but were soon dashed again by a gritty Bradford side.  It was a exact repeat of the game at the Horsfall, which Buxton deserved something from both games.  Some people feared that could put us back in a rut.  How wrong they were.

Steve Istead puts Buxton ahead against Chasetown.

We had to play 4 games in 7 days.  Nobody expected to get 12 points.  Nobody gave us a prayer at FC United.  But, at Gigg Lane, it was hard to guess who was the play-off hopeful and who was the relegation threaten team.  Barraclough scored a superlative individual goal to secure 3 massive points.  The 90th minute of the Matlock game was the moment of the season.  Barraclough played a brilliant through for Michael Towey, who rounded the keeper and slotted in to the empty net to send the fans in the railway end in to raptures.  From relegations favourites, we’re now just 4 points from safety – officially.  A double header against “consistently inconsistent” strugglers Stafford followed.  And so did 6 points.  A comfortable 3-1 win at the Silverlands was followed by a 2-0 victory in Stafford to secure safety.  An unbelievable feat and an sensational turnaround from February.

Kendal at home had to be one of the amazing games I’ve seen at the Silverlands.  7 goals in an incredibly open first half and just a single goal in the second half  meant Buxton took all 3 points for the 5th time in 5 games, our best run in 4 years.  Astonishingly, we could finish as high as 10th in the league.  If somebody suggested that in December, they’ll be laughed out of town.

Bucks sweep aside Frickley to claim victory in ’6-pointer’

It was a yet another massive game for Buxton – who have occupied one of the four relegation spots since November – and one they could ill-afford to lose.  Following a disappointing and unlucky defeat against Bradford on Monday, Mcintosh made two changes to the starting line-up with Mark Reed and Steve Ridley starting ahead of Brahim-Bounab and Sanchez Payne.  Buxton took the lead on the stroke of half time, thanks to the head of Mark Reed, despite the best efforts of Frickley’s number 8 Jame Ashmore to hook the ball clear.  Reed scored again in the 58th minute to double The Bucks’ lead, again with his head while Barraclough put the game beyond the reaches of a now demoralised Frickley, rounding the keeper with 15 minutes left.

The highlights make for grim viewing for the people of South Elmsall, as Buxton dominated the first half.  The Blues (of Yorkshire) signalled their intent from the start, getting as many men behind the ball as they could, meaning they were difficult to break down.  However, they probably weren’t banking on Marc Roberts.  His long throws in to the penalty area often caused bedlam in the box as Frickley’s keeper struggled to get past the plethora of bodies.  However, the first chance that fell to Buxton wasn’t from a long throw!  Ridley crossed the ball and Dickinson left it thinking it would go harmlessly out of play – not realising that Kieran Lugsden was behind.  Fortunately for the ‘keeper, the striker could only hit the side netting.

From a Roberts long throw, Towey headed on only for the ‘keeper to pull out a save (for the cameras, I might add).  From the resulting corner, Lugsden could only head harmlessly wide.  Ridley then had 25 yard volley sail high, wide and not-at-all handsome.  From Ridley free-kick, the keeper – somewhat bizarrely – punched away when we could have easily caught it.  However, when Towey was chasing after the ball, he pulled up and was subbed for Peter Davidson minutes later.  From yet another Roberts thrown-in (a recurring theme), Reed headed on to Lugsden, who could only lift the ball on to the crossbar 3 yards out, with the goal at his mercy.

Ridley again had  20 yard shot, this time it went directly at the keeper.  It was quickly becoming a frustrating half with Buxton repeatedly pounding on the door but Frickley somehow held firm.  Barraclough, who was having a relatively quiet game, suddenly burst in to life.  From a corner that missed everyone, he brilliantly turned their defender, ran in to the box but lost the ball (after a tackle that he could have gone down for but decided to stay on his feet), where it fell to Lugsden to try a cheeky lob from 20 yards but the keeper easily saved.  Steve Istead flashed a shot wide before Buxton eventually broke the away sides resistance.  Ridley crossed the ball in and Reed glanced a header to the back post to give Buxton a fully deserved lead at the break.

Frickley started on the offensive early in the second half but were still limited to long range shots.  Danny South’s strike was miles off target, an apt reflection on the Frickley performance.  However, any chance of drawing level were soon dashed.  From a quick throw-in, Lugsden sent in a perfect cross for Reed, whose header dipped over the keeper and in to the net, where it seemed to take an age to get to!  Josh Wilde had a shot well saved, down low to the keepers right, before Frickley finally had their first meaningful attempt on goal.  From a Ryan Mellon cross, Danny South glanced his header towards the top corner, only to be thwarted by Hartley who clawed the ball out for a goal kick.  The resulting corner almost went straight in but the alert Hartley tipped over and the following corner was easily cleared.

Barraclough then had a chance to extend Buxton’s lead.  He bamboozled Lincoln Adams not once, not twice but 3 times but the resulting shot was saved by the keepers foot.  Minutes later though, he found the back of the net.  A Stevens clearance found Reed, who headed on the ball.  Barraclogh was a good 20 yards away and the visitors defense seemingly had it covered.  Until they inexplicably let Barra get the ball, charge to the goal, go round the keeper and slot home.  It was nothing less than the home team deserved, having dominated for 90% of the game.  Frickley weren’t quite dead though, they threw on Ollie Adams and Brad Greyson but for the last 15 minutes Hartley was untroubled.

Full Time:  Buxton 3-0 Frickley  (Reed(2) and Barraclough)

From one 6-pointer to another, Buxton’s next game is against fellow strugglers Chasetown, where a win could take Buxton out of the bottom 4.  How awesome would that be?!

Buxton FC 2-1 Ashton United

Goals from Bradley Barraclough and Kieran Lugsden ensured Buxton won back-to-back leagues games for the first time since early September, a staggering and eye-watering run of 25 games.

Buxton took an early lead in the 4th minute via yet another excellent goal from Barraclough.  Lugsden doubled Buxton’s lead on the 73rd minute following up on a rebound from 6 yards out.  The 2 goal lead lasted 5 minutes when Scott Hartley brought down Ashton’s Number 7, Kyle Harrop, as he was running away from goal.  Aarons Burns got his customary goal against Buxton from the spot to set up a nervy finish for the hosts.

There was a moment on panick early on for the Buxton defense as a high ball from Melling almost enabled perpetual threat Aaron Burns free, but a cool header from under pressure Wilde to goalkeeper Hartley was enough to keep Burns at bay.  At the other end, Steve Istead flashed a shot just wide from the edge of the area as Buxton started to get a foot hold in the game, and moments later the deadlock was broken.  Good work from Istead allowed Ridley to get the ball in the area, where Lugsden headed down to Barraclough to brilliantly turn and place the ball in the bottom corner, when he was surrounded by no less than 5 Ashton players.

Buxton take early advantage (courtesy of Mark Joyce)

Ashton had a chance to level 5 minutes later.  Chris Amadi managed to get past the otherwise faultless Roberts and roll the ball to Harrop, only for the number 7 to completely and utterly miss the ball under no pressure whatsoever.  It was a massive let-off for Buxton but things only got worse as Grant Black was forced off with what seemed like a pulled hamstring.  Neil Stevens came on to replace the right back.  A Scott Maxfield cross from a free kick was almost met with the head of Tommy Agus, only for keeper Terry Smith to come out and comfortably take the ball.  The ever impressive Barraclough ran down the wing and in to area but his effort was blocked by George Melling and Craig Robinson then cleared the ball from out of the keepers hands.  Barraclough appealed for handball against their number 5, but it fell on deaf ears.

By this time, Buxton were doing most of the pressing and from a Josh Wilde long throw, Lugsden glanced the ball on to the Barraclough, whose effort looked for all the world to be going in, only for it to rebound off the post and to safety.  The Lugsden-Barraclough combo was causing the Robins defense all sorts of problems and the Roberts-Agus partnership was keeping Ashton’s front men, Burns and former ‘Buck’ Sanasy, at arms length.  However the threat was still there.  From a free-kick on the half-way line, it was hoofed in to the area and following a mini-scramble, the ball fell to Danny Lambert, whose effort was fired directly at Hartley.  From another Ashton free-kick on the half way, Buxton broke and poured forward.  The resulting corner was only half cleared by Ashton and the ball fell to Towey, who blasted the ball just the wrong side of the post.

Barraclough hits the post (courtesy of Mark Joyce)

Half time: Buxton 1-0 Ashton United (Barraclough, 4)

Controversy followed soon after in the second half.  From a Ridley cross/shot that earned Buxton a corner, the keeper caught the easily and fired to ball upfield, aiming for Burns.  Wilde and Stevens were both back covering but let the ball bounce and then Burns and Stevens collided.  The ref waved play on, a decision that left Burns sat on the floor with his arms in the air.  Just when the game appeared to be getting scrappy, Lugsden broke free.  From a goal kick, Barraclough played a inch perfect through ball to Lugsden with their keeper outside of his area.  The number 10 chose to fire low, the keeper saved and the Ashton defense cleared.  Josh Wilde was then forced off with a ankle injury following a late challenge from Alex Frost.

Buxton still pushed forward and from a corner, Roberts and Brahim-Bounab had shots blocked, then Istead had a thundershot well saved by Terry Smith, low down to his right.  For all of Buxton’s pressure and chances, they had precious little to show for it.  However, that was about to change.  This time it was Lugsden’s turn to feed Barraclough, who got through the defense only for his effort to be saved by the foot of the keeper and his cross to be deflected out for a corner.  Ridley took the corner and found the head of Barraclough whose effort was saved but Kieran Lugsden followed up the rebound to score his first goal in 7 games.  It was nothing more than Buxton deserved, who asked questions of The Robins defense all game.

Lugsden doubles Buxtons advantage

However, the drama didn’t end there.  From yet another free-kick on the edge of the area, the ball fell to Harrop.  He was running away from goal, when Hartley inexplicably came out and took out the midfielder.  The keeper could have no qualms with the 2nd penalty Buxton have conceded in 2 games.  Aaron Burns took the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way.  Buxton had a handball shout turned down before Ashton were given a soft free-kick 30 yards out of from, late on in the game.   Burns took it and it looked like it was going to nestle in the top corner, only for Hartley to brilliantly claw the ball away from goal, and claim the ball.  Ashton had one last throw of the dice with a cross but Hartley caught it with 2 Ashton players around him and kept the ball in play.  He cleared the ball upfield and the referee blew her whistle to signal full time.

To little, to late for Ashton as Burns claws one back from the spot. (Courtesy of Mark Joyce)

It was nothing less than Buxton deserved after having spurned several glorious chances but credit has to go to Ashton keeper Terry Smith who pulled of a number of brilliant saves to keep the score down.  On another day, Barraclough could have had a hat-trick but kept up his impressive record of 7 goals in 9 games.

Full time: Buxton 2-1 Ashton (Barraclough, 4, Lugsden, 73; Arron Burns, 77)

Man of the Match: Marc Roberts (Buxton)

Match highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcRtvS-r8nE

Radio Silence.

I’m back!  After a 3 month hiatus, I’ve finally remembered about this blog.  From now on, I’ll start doing match reports a I actually have something to refer to, the video highlights!  But before I carry on, a lot has change since I wrote my last blog.  (This is going to brief though.  The Ashton one will be a match report type post with video clips!)

For one, we now have a new manager, in the shape of Martin Mcintosh, who holds a barely-understandable-at-times Scottish accent – a strong one at that.  But having spent most of his career in Scotland and then just over a year in North Notts (or “essentially South Yorkshire as I put it once), it does that to you.  Maxfield was given 10 games before a “secret” board meeting voted in favour of installing a new man to lead the team.  Technically, Maxfield was never sacked as he was only a interim manager, but having 200 appearances for the club, they could have probably treated him a bit better.  Anyway,  it’s our 3rd manager in what has been a turbulent season thus far, result in Buxton sitting 21st in league.  A win at bottom side Burscough relieved some pressure on the side, and we still have to face around 3 or 4 of the teams around directly around us, so there is still hope for the great escape yet.

We’ve also got a new commercial manager, who is doing a tremendous amount of work, wheeling off ideas for the community to get involved with Buxton FC and new ticket offers practically every day.  We even have a Ebay shop and a online store!  Both of which are to be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

There are just 12 games left of the season and for Buxton to stay up, we need a minor miracle and after the Burscough game…we might just get one.  So, get down to the Silverlands and get behind the team!

Thanks for reading!

What a difference a win makes.

A new blog!  I like to treat my readers.  You know, post an awesome blog, starve you for a bit by not posting for months and then BAM! I feed your addiction.

A trip up to Whitby.  Normally, I would be well up for a match, especially in the beautiful coastal town of Whitby.  Unfortunately, Buxton were enduring a horrrific run and were winless in 12 (or 13, I forget) league games, albeit with some cup game wins sprinkled inbetween the depressing, and sometimes heavy, defeats.  And it was December.  That’s a bit bloody harsh.  The Friday before the game, I had no lift and was facing missing the game entirely.  However, Porter – for better of worse – agreed to take me up there.  We set off so bloody early.  I had to get up at the ungodly hour of 7:30am and we got there at….11am, just 4 hours early.

Needless to say, I was set to work. Me, Paul and Porters son whose name I forget at this present time, were forced to hang up the kits, while Rob Porter tossed them to us to hang up on the appropriate peg.  What I found astonishing was, none of the kits had coat hangers and that training jumpers 10 (which I think was new signing Barracloughs shirt number) and 12 (assigned to Neil Stevens) were missing, presumed stolen by past players.  As we sat in the dressing room as the clubhouse wasn’t open (outrage), Ridley, Taylor, Pembleton and player/manager Maxfield – who was sporting a dubious white woolly hat entered.  As Ridley talked us all though his technique while scoring against North Ferriby (“I just put my head down and smash the ball in the roof of the net”.  A snappy comment from Paul, “All well and good when your head is actually facing the net, though”), Andy came in to tell us the bar had opened

Whitby dressing room

We legged it then.  Trust me, I needed a drink after a 3 hour drive with Porter and Paul!  Anyway, the match kicked off and drama immediately unfolded even before the 1st minute mark.  Whitby Legend and scorer of many, many goals for them smashed one right in the corner of the net, past the despairing Hartley.  Already it was looking grim, and after a 3 hour drive, it actually annoyed me more than usual.  While in this run, if Buxton fell behind, it was pretty much guaranteed that we would lose because all our confidence would inexplicably disappear.  Not this time.  No more than 9 minutes later, Buxton drew level.  From a corner, the ball bounced around and Reed FINALLY after many attempts in previous matches in the past two seasons connected with the ball while doing a bicycle kick.  It was blocked on the line but rebounded in via their Number 2.  Officially it down as a Mark Reed goal but I think, along with 213 others, it was a certain own-goal.

The parity lasted for *sarcastically looks at watch that’s not there on wrist* 9 minutes.  Buxton perennial bench warmer Liversidge, taking the place of absentee Curtley Williams, was on the starting line-up for just the 68th time in just under 4 seasons.  I hasten to add he was never let the side down when called upon.  He unfortunately gave away the first of the penalties on the 19th minute, which was gleefully smashed it in the top corner to make it 2-1 to Whitby.  The match turned scrappy with neither team really managing to get on top and create any meaningful chances, although Buxton had one or two chances from corners cleared off the line, with no thanks to Whitby’s static and slow defense.

The breakthrough!  And the term “team goal” can accurately describe it.  19 passes in total created an opening for Reed, 12 yards out, to slot beautifully home in the roof of the net.  2-2 at half time I would have taken.  3-2 at half time (to Buxton obviously), I would have mugged you before you even finished the sentence, “How about I offer you…”.  And that’s exactly what happened.  Barraclough, on debut, turned on the six-pence and, like the other 3 goals, coolly hit it in the roof of the net (getting repetitive, yet?).  My delight is audible on the highlights!

For all the drama in the first half, it was going to bet much better in the second.  An admittedly slow start to the second half, burst in to life with a goal of the blue.  17 minutes in, Jamie Clarke shot low past Hartley for the his second and Whitby’s 3rd.  Now, during the match, torrential, apoplectic rain poured down over the ground for a extended time, on and off, making the surface extremely slippery.  The final goal of the game arrived 14 minutes later, with Kieran Lugsden firing low in the net, running towards the Buxton bench  as part of his celebration.

Now the real drama.  5 minutes left and Whitby broke through Buxton’s defense.  Wilde had the man covered but Hartley came rushing out and scathed him down and Wilde had his hands on his head before the ref even blew his whistle.  Hartley rushed towards the ref to argue his innocence.  When the two came together…the ref…fell over.  Video evidence is inconclusive but I believe, along with Hartley and (crucially) the ref, he didn’t.  The ref has come out and said he sent Hartley off for being “overly aggressive”.

Depending if it is on, Buxton fans travel down the A6 to Donkey land, also known as “Matlock”. If we had lost against Whitby, I’d be worried heading in to this fixture.  But the way the players celebrated at the final whistle suggest a new found confidence has been found and survival, maybe even mid-table is achievable.  Matlock are 10 points ahead of us but it’s a derby game and form is thrown out the window.  We won 3-1 there last season and a repeat result would be fabulous.  Then Stocksbridge in another 6-pointer.  Merry Christmas everyone.

Be positive!

It’s Halloween and not one trick-or-treater yet.  Although it’s only 7:10pm at the time of writing, I hope they don’t expect much when they do come knocking.  I only have empty cranberry cartons and some leftover rice. Anyway, enough of that american nonsense, this is a Buxton FC blog.  I know I haven’t been posting much but with good reason!  Er..I forgot.  Good enough reason for me anyway…  My last post was after the Marine game, which featured 2 shocking misses of hilarious magnitude.

Anyway, since I’ve started recording games, I admit I have left this blog to rot in the internet back pages, but no more! I’ll try to update at least once every two weeks.  But recording games does put me at a slight disadvantage in the fact that I no longer get a “proper” match day experience.  On the bright side, I do get a second look at debatable decisions – which, lets face it, happen all the time at this level due to inept and comically bad clowns…I mean ref.  Obviously.  Another bright side is I get to watch Buxton matches whenever the hell I want now.

But now on to the Garforth game and to be honest I was scared.  They were the league below, we were (are) on a poor (awful) run of form. And with cup games, anything can happen.  Ah, I’ve missed that cliché.  Anyway, to my absolute delight we were 3-0 at half time and cruising.  Lugsden put us ahead on the 18th minute, turning well and firing low in the corner.  He bagged a brace 15 minutes later.  A brilliant 1-2 with Towey – who provided Lugsden with a inch perfect lobbed through ball, who then confidentially tucked the ball in the bottom corner.  Then something amazing happened.  We took a 3-0 lead for only the second in the season.  And anyone who say they predicted the goalscorer are massive liars.  Liversidge scored his first ever competitive goal.  From a corner, the fell to him where he belted the ball in the corner, whilst scaring the **** out of the kids behind the goal in the process.  He scored a cracker against Sheffield FC in a friendly earlier this season, turning on a six-pence to fire in the far corner.

3-0 at half time and we were cruising.  However, within a minute of the restart, Garforth got one back.  Hartley spilled when he should have held it and he put it on a plate for Dempsey Smith to fire high in the goal.  It took another 30 minutes for Buxton to restore their 3-0 lead.  Reed’s scuffed goal puzzled everyone.  Nobody thought it went in at first and even the number 9 looked embarrassed.  He later described it as “the worst goal he’s ever scored”.  They all count, mind.  But that lasted, Ooo, 5 minutes.  Some slack defending left Matthew Dempsey to come in and score what many thought would be a consolation goal.  Straight from kick-off, they almost made it 3.  More awful defending left the Garforth player free at goal.  He didn’t shoot immediately and his eventual shot was blocked.  Full time and we won.  Through to the next round.  That is all that matters.

Now to basement club Burscough.  The Linnets started brightly and took the lead in the 25th minute.  Their number deflecting in a shot from the edge of the area on to the post and in to the goal.  Things got even worse moments later.  The Linnets doubled their advantage via a stunning, well placed header from, erm, Josh Wilde.  Yes, the Buxton left headed the ball in the one place he shouldn’t.  That seemed to give Buxton the necessary punch in the arm they needed and in the 43rd minute, Mark Reed scored his 195th goal for the club with a volley on the turn 6 yards out.  Burscough keeper pulled of a stunning one handed save to tip over Ridleys effort.  Parity was soon restored with Towey getting first of the season from close range.

Then a moment of extraordinary controversy.  Hartley fluffled his lines and Horne tried to chest the ball back to him.  And failed horribly.  Their number 10 I think get in between Horne and Hartley and the their number 9 side footed home from 20 yards.  Great I thought, 3-2 down.  Apparently not.  The linesman flagged for an infringement.  I’ve since reviewed the footage and other than a slight push on Horne (who didn’t complain, I should point out), by their number 10.  Was it a foul? I don’t think so.  Do I care? Not a jot!  If it was the other way round, I would be on here writing a blog about inept and useless refs.  Tommy “Mark Viduka” Agus then had a dipping shot that hit the crossbar and Stevens had a shot well saved.  We had done enough to get all 3 points.  I’ll settle for 1, but we desperately needed 3.

Up next is a tricky away trip Frickley, where we always struggle and never get a result and then a even more tricky looking tie against League Leaders Northwich Victoria in the FA Trophy.

I thought it couldn’t much worse.

I was dearly and horrifically wrong.  I have actually started recording, editing and uploading highlights to YouTube, which usually last 20 minutes.  This combined with uni and generally being lazy means I haven’t really had much time for this blog or actual match updates, which kinds of makes my twitter slightly redundant, but you know.  The last game I updated this was Ashton, a whole 4 games ago.  Things haven’t got much better.  In fact since I started recording, our record stands at: PL:4  D:2 L2 GF:2 GA:4.  Great isn’t it?

Anyway, first up was Rushall in the FA Cup.  This was our second meeting, after Rushall stole all 3 points deep in to injury time in a truly undeserved victory in August with an admittedly stunning screamer.  Predictably, Buxton dominated procession while not actually doing anything with it. And then the even more predictable happened - Olympic scored.  Bottomer coolly slotted in the bottom corner of Hartleys net following a neat pass from Obeng.  Controversy surrounded Rushalls second with a seemingly good challenge by Stevens resulted in a Rushall penalty, which was put away.  2-0 half time.

Reed scored his first goal since returning but it was to little to prevent Buxton crashing out of the cup.  Kendal were up next and somehow it ended 0-0, thanks to a mixture of inept finishing from Kendals strikers and some brilliant saves from Hartley.  You have to watch the highlights to actually believe some of the misses in the game. They’ll be jerky due to the tripod being absolutely **** but a mixture of WD40 and water fixed this, but this produces a slightly weird white sustance in the bit of the tripod that allows it to go from left to right.

Now to Chester.  Before they arrived at the Silverlands, they were on a 8 match unbeaten streak, all of which were accompanied with clean sheets.  Considering the form Buxton were in, I wasn’t holding out much hope and, being truthful, was expecting a thrashing.  We showed more fight and determination in this match than we have in the last 2 or 3 games.  Chester took the lead though.  Sloppy from our point of view.  At first glance, it appeared the free kick from the left went in as it was crossed towards to goal, but a Chester player got a slight touch to take past the motionless Hartley.

After half time, we score.  Chester didn’t like it.  At all.  Their fans were angry and clearly they weren’t used conceding.  To be fair, it was a very well worked goal and an excellent finish from Josh Wilde.  Reed had a great chance to grab 3 points but his effort was blasted well, well over.  A fair result to be fair.  It needs to be said some Chester fans are idiots.

And then on to Marine.  What to say about the Marine match?  We created precious little.  Reed hit the post but it would have be flagged offside and other than a Tommy Agus free kick,  we did nothing.  Marine should have been 2-0 in the first minute though.  Can’t believe they weren’t.  Both were missed by their INTERNATION striker, Neil Harvey.  The first he was one-on-one, shot it to the left of goal where it was well saved by the feet of Hartley.  The second was inexplicable.  Rey (I think) squared it across goal when he was one-on-one.  Harvey was completely on his own.  All he had to do was roll it in the goal.  Instead he goes with the outside of his foots, mis-hits it and it rolls straight to Hartley.  I was genuinely in shock

Short post but very little to write about in a positive light.  Garforth and Frickley next.  If we don’t win these, John Reed will be under a hell of a lot of pressure.