Buxton 0-0 Brackley Town 26 January 2024

“It was a hard fought game as we had expected,” Gavin Cowan said. “We expected a reaction from them after the heavy defeat and it turned into a physical game. We stood up to that well but just lacked a bit of quality on the day.”

Zak Lilly replaced the injured Alex Gudger in the only change from the side that won at Bishop’s Stortford in midweek.
The first half started in bright sunshine but neither team got into their stride with the home side pressing hard and with high tempo. Two early yellow cards for Buxton players set the tone as tackles flew in.

Brackley did have the ball in the Buxton net but the referee’s assistant had ruled the ball had gone out of play before it was tapped home and Saints had to defend stoutly to send the game in level at the break.

The Bucks were close to taking the lead early in the second half with the woodwork keeping the sides level before the visitors created some sustained second half pressure without making the break-through. Morgan Roberts weaved his way out wide and put in a lovely cross that fell invitingly for Danny Newton who could only watch his goal-bound header cleared off the line in the clearest chance of a winner.

“We have to be pragmatic about this result,” Cowan added. “The lads are disappointed, probably more with the performance than the result, but it is six unbeaten now with five wins and a draw and we need to set about preparing to try to get another win next Saturday against Darlington. It is a respectable draw against a good team. Against Darlington we will have to be on our mettle and try to attain those highest of standards.”

Brackley Town: Lewis, Calder, Murombedzi, Dean, Matwasa (Turner 91), Newton (Armson 71), Roberts, Lyttle, Hall, O’Sullivan (Bates 87), Lilly. Subs unused: Carline, Worby.

Buxton: Young, McCourt, Granite, Shiels, Wright, Kirby, Elliott, Minnehan, Francis-Angol, Ackroyd, Hunt. Subs: De Girolamo, Osborne, Motley-Henry, Brogan, Weston.

Referee: Tom Wilson Assistants: Mathew Malton and Paul Mosley

Attendance: 543