Following the Bulls’ solid performance at Alfreton on Saturday, Paul Caddis now takes his side to Buxton this coming weekend in a re-arranged National League North fixture. Hereford remain unbeaten on the road in the league all season, and chalked up yet another clean sheet at Alfreton ensuring Caddis’ side retain one of the best defensive records this season.
Match Preview
Back to Derbyshire again and for the third straight year, we venture to the highest parts of the country. An isolated place with many attractive features. Buxton is no football town. Never has, probably never will be. Their stadium lies at the end of a cul de sac. There’s no car park and the ground is hemmed in on all sides. A visit with a twist. Buxton are now a full-time club led by a new manager, and only four players were retained from last season.
Owner David Hopkins is a long-term supporter who lives nearby and whose building supplies business is a significantly sized firm. Hopkins is no fly-in with fanciful ideas and there’s a fair argument that he is donating his (or more likely his companies) money for the “right reasons.” The owner claims the playing budget has only marginally increased. That may be creditable as the club have done a “Turner”, bringing in mainly 21-24 year-olds with a point to prove and a re-sale value. Hopkins talking to the local Advertiser “We can take a lot of the worry that comes with relocating out of it by putting players up in properties we own.” Which is very handy.
Manager McGrath has also added temporary talent in the shape of True Grant (18-year-old keeper from Man City), Josh Popoola (Stockport) and Rory’s lad Finn Delap (Burton) although as both Delap and his manager were sent off last Saturday, we should not be seeing either of them.
Prior to this re-arranged fixture, the Bucks lost five of the last six league games, despite the advantage of their 4G pitch. Lets hope the Hereford squad don’t pick up yet more injuries on Saturday which so often seems to be the case on artificial surfaces. Babos and Skinner being the latest examples at Ilkeston!
I saw the Bucks solitary win live. Buxton appear to be under orders to play out from the back, but in my opinion they are not very good at it. Teenager keeper Grant in particular needs to improve his distribution. Top scorer (3) Popoola on the left is their answer to Ceesay and needs close marking. Their main striker De Girolamo has barely played this term thanks to a mysterious 7 match ban.
Expect tiresome segregation via the Mill Cliff turnstiles so no access to the bar or seats for visitors as the only stand is on the opposite side. Contact Buxton fc to make your case if you need to sit. The home club average 724 with supporters who generally seem to not like too much noise!
Usual pricing £15/£10, paid on the door. If early, park in the narrow side streets, otherwise the town centre car parks are only a few minutes’ walk away. Try Market Place SK17 6EB.
Ticket Home | Buxton FC Tickets (ktckts.com)
We’re in form, our full-time hosts are not. Make sure you’re there, but if you’re unable to make the trip listen to full match commentary on Radio Hereford FC.
Dare we hope for a positive result which includes scoring?
Simon Wright
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