Buxton 1-0 Spennymoor Town (National League North)
Another day another dollar as I head from Chelmsford in Essex to deepest Derbyshire and a long awaited trip to Buxton after last night's late antics between two cathedral cities. It's been a while since I've been to Silverlands and the Bucks have been going well under John McGrath in the National League North, beating Oxford City at the weekend 7-0, they are just outside the playoff zone but within touching distance of the promotion chasing pack.
Spennymoor are mid table, themselves tricky to beat, a solid National North outfit under Graeme Lee. I'm predicting a contrast of styles as Buxton like to play a bit, whilst the Moors have some good 'stoppers' across the park.
I got done by the late night roadworks on the M11 and A1 last night so am hoping for a better journey over the peaks tonight. An hour and more is my commute to West Derbyshire but it's an idyllic drive to enjoy up and down the hills, rolling countryside and views to behold, the switch off to serenity soon awakens as I enter the sumptuous spa town and park up outside a Georgian terraced house on a leafy street of grey sandstone style houses.
The Venue
My walk up Silverlands is a couple of minutes to the turnstile, the quiet road closed by a single traffic cone guarded by a friendly steward at the end to stop through traffic as the sound of the PA music gets louder the nearer the stadium I approach.
I say my name on the gate, they don't even bother checking a list, a quick pit stop, I'm annoyed the tea kiosk and food bar window is not yet open so take a walk around the ground instead, it's very much like Gainsborough Trinity's Northolme stadium here. One big old posted up seated stand in the middle, opposite a low roofed terrace which is backed onto a row of terraced housing, the far end open, the near end roofed where the Buxton boys will sing whilst banging on a beaten drum.
The atmosphere is brilliant, it's a rarity that you get singing all the way through a non league game these days, especially when the away side brings few spectators with them, but in Buxton they enjoy making themselves heard and getting behind their team.
The Game
It's a start that I probably predicted. Buxton hit seven on Saturday and Spennymoor won't let them do that today. They're organised and solid, combative and structured but pose little going forward, Buxton have some little quick players in the final third and it's their motive to get them on the ball. Luke Brennan has quality on the left whilst Johnny Johnson is rapid down the right, so much so he keeps running it out of play. His legs are too quick for him.
The chairman's sat in front of me, he's showing his mate some dirty pics as an injury stops the game, perhaps the most entertaining part of a first 45 as I peer over his shoulder to get a glimpse.
The Score
If not much happened in the first half, the second 45 does quickly improve as Buxton speed up the tempo. Everything they aim at Brad James however is well held, he's most competent but an early misplaced clearance has him rushing out of goal, he only finds the articulate Connor Kirby who delivers the ball back goalwards from 45 yards, hitting the inside of the post before bouncing across the goal line to safety.
Buxton are starting to dominate as Spennymoor retreat, Oli Ewing sees a lot of the ball in midfield, he's on loan from Leicester and looks a lovely player, as does centre half Bobby Faulkner on loan from Doncaster, whilst Ewing is smaller, agile, neat on foot, Faulkner is big, powerful, reads the game well and has a tendency to every now and again knock a 30 yard cross field pass which are mostly intercepted.
The home side have a lot of the ball but it doesn't look to be their night, Spennymoor have came to collect a point and are good value in limiting opportunity as the board goes up for just two added. But a final chance as sub Keziah Martin cuts in from the right, his cross into the box causes panic and Finley Shrimpton flicks out a foot, the ball bouncing agonisingly into the far corner of the net, the fans behind the goal go wild as the Bucks players jump in to celebrate with them, someone gets booked, everyone is standing, cheering, clapping, smiling, Spennymoor out on their feet, wondering how they allowed that to happen.
A second late winner in succession for me, whilst we all love the joy of a stoppage time goal, I'm always sympathetic with those who concede, those tonight who dug in and battled, almost, just almost a perfect defensive display.
The Stars
Spennymoor didn't have a lot of the ball but defensively they are one of the more organised teams I've seen in the division. Centre back Ben Pollock is a player I really like at this level. Brad James largely untested in goal but he's composed and assured which must help the back line.
Despite his own goal Finlay Shrimpton battled hard in midfield, their best work on the ball perhaps coming from the experienced Rob Ramshaw, whilst Glen Taylor up front was always up for the battle, well marshalled with lack of support often not helping his lonely cause.
Buxton are good, for the last couple of seasons I've seen them play, they always have been. Good full backs, good centre halves, tidy in midfield, quick and skilful in attack, a nice mix.
From back to front, Ethan Mann and Bobby Faulkner, tall solid young, a good pairing of centre halves with the future at their peril, I liked Josh Williams who got forward from left back, in front of him, Luke Brennan was sharp and always looking to make things happen.
Connor Kirby in midfield is one of my favourite footballers for the level, coming short and giving it simple but with a creative eye to thread passes through, young Oli Ewing next to him, sometimes deeper in the centre also has those attributes, he grew in confidence and got on the ball to dictate in the later stages, whilst fans favourite Tom Elliott is an intelligent player who's running off the ball is hard to track.
Out wide Johnny Johnson is electric out right, if only his head worked as fast as his feet.
The Verdict
Buxton are a team who at home on their plastic pitch, I would back to beat anyone, the right blend to score varied goals whilst being able to mix it with the best, they have creation in their final third and clean sheets, which is often a decent mix.
Spennymoor are unlucky to get nothing from their journey south tonight. They're the sort of team nobody really enjoys to play against, because they make it hard for opponents and are structured, expecting every game to be a battle they dig in and will make you scrap for your points, your typical non league mid table outfit, that's an underhanded compliment for a team punching it's weight who are well ran, which Spennymoor certainly are.
The Teams
Buxton: Paul Cooper, Josh Williams, Ethan Mann, Bobby Faulkner, Connor Kirby, Tom Elliott (Cian Coleman 80), Luke Brennan, Will Trueman, Daniel Ogwuru (Keziah Martin 58), Johnny Johnson, Oli Ewing.
Spennymoor Town: Brad James, Reece Staunton, Dan Rowe, Ben Pollock, Glen Taylor, Rob Ramshaw, Olly Dyson, Michael Ledger, Finley Shrimpton, Corey McKeown (Junior Mondal 84), Matty Dolan.
7:45pm Kick Off. Tuesday 11th March 2025, Silverlands, Buxton (att 418).
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