Bucks bounce back, but miss chance to go top

However, Bucks boss Martin McIntosh knows the narrow defeat at Stourbridge cost them the chance to be top of the Evo-Stick NPL Premier Division ahead of this Saturday’s crucial home clash with second-placed Rushall Olympic.

Buxton netted twice in the last seven minutes at Stourbridge on Saturday, then missed a last gasp chance to level.

But at home to Nantwich on Tuesday, despite trailing 1-0 at the break, Buxton battered them 4-1 in the end to end up fourth, three points off leaders Whitby Town but with a better goal difference.

“On Saturday we didn’t play very well throughout the whole game to be honest,” said McIntosh. “But we did end the game on a bit of a high.

“We scored two good goals and, agonisingly missed a serious chance with the last kick of the ball which would have given us a 3-3 draw.

“That would probably have just papered over the cracks as we never played very well.

“But there are encouraging signs as we are getting players back from injury and we are filling up the squad again.”

He added: “On Tuesday night, all credit to the players. After the disappointment on Saturday, they responded well.

“It was a mistake for the (Nantwich) goal and they got a big lift for that, but I think on the balance of play it was even at half-time. Both teams had chances and arguably it should have been even.

“With that in mind the players took it on themselves to take the game to Nantwich.

“Nantwich missed a chance when they went through on goal. But Jan (keeper Budtz) has been absolutely magnificent for us this season and he saved the one v one and the game changed in our favour and we got four very good goals. To be honest it could have been six.”

McIntosh knows Saturday’s loss has kept them off the top, but he appreciates the difficulties of part-time football.

“Had we won on Saturday we would have been top last night and I have said that to about a dozen people,” he said.

“Saturday was really disappointing for me. But players are part-time, they have got jobs, they have got a whole lot of other things going on in their lives.

“They have families and there is a whole lot involved in part-time football.

“You are going to get inconsistencies, there is no doubt about that – and I accept that. Maybe Saturday was one of those days.

“Sometimes you’ve got to appreciate these lads have got a lot going on.”

Now they face one of their biggest tests of the season this Saturday (The Silverlands, 3pm) as they take on a Rushall side who have won four and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions.

McIntosh said: “We will have to be at our and play well like we did last night for 90 minutes in order to get a result against them as they are second in the league for a reason. They are a really, really good side.”