STATEMENT OF INTENT AS BUCKS DOMINATE
BUXTON deserve all the credit for a convincing victory in what was a top-of-the-table contest in front of a bumper crowd.
Visitors Whitby made their best start in years – their pattern of passing the ball through midfield working well – although an in-form home defence was rarely troubled.
Buxton’s keeper Jan Budtz in fact had only one save to make, a low stop from Curtis Round’s 70thminute shot that was set up by substitute Mikey Roberts.
Buxton also relied on fluent football, scoring as early as the eighth minute when Jamie Green’s inswinging corner was cleared only to full-back Mattie Williams, who volleyed into the far corner for his first Buxton goal.
The advantage could have been doubled within a minute as Alastair Taylor and Nicky Walker constructed a smart move on the left, but when the latter’s low cross arrived, Taylor drove over the bar from ten yards.
With the home side snuffing out Whitby’s attacks, Buxton looked more likely to score again
with Niall Doran a constant threat on the right.
The hosts duly doubled their lead just before half-time as a Green free-kick was deflected to the onrushing Brad Abbott, who netted from close range.
Whitby enjoyed possession early in the second half, but in the 52nd minute a fine save by keeper Shane Bland from Taylor’s shot kept the visitors in the game.
However, it was to be winger Doran who made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute as he latched on to a Walker pass following good work by Ricky Ravenhill.
Doran advanced on the left to produce a composed low finish from 18 yards and that allowed the Bucks the luxury of introducing all three substitutes.
Whitby did manage a three-onthree break, but a Williams tackle thwarted the visitors and, from a free-kick, Dave McTiernan’s effort was just over.
Home manager Martin McIntosh was delighted with his team’s performance against the best Whitby side he had seen in years.
He said: “After missing four players through injury and unavailability at the victory at Hednesford, we are gradually getting them back to be stronger still.”
His counterpart, Chris Hardy, admitted afterwards that, while the first two goals were unfortunate, Buxton’s power showed after the break.