Legend Finney sees his club get into play-offs at expense of Bucks
Kendal Town 3 Buxton 2 A VALIANT Buxton recovery in Cumbria on Saturday, came within minutes of securing a draw and of denying little Kendal Town a place in the Premier Division play offs.
Two goals down in 26 minutes, the Bucks were strengthened by an early twin substitution, fought back to equalise in the second half, but were then undone by a late goal, when the visitors looked just as likely to produce a winning strike.
Buxton's management understandably rested three players ahead of Tuesday's Derbyshire Senior Cup Final, but Kendal needing nothing less than a win, quickly settled to their task and gave the Bucks a torrid opening half hour.
A first-minute Michael Towey error gave Kilford a chance but he blazed over. Two more shots, in quick succession, were blazed over the bar and two more blocked before Tommy Agus diverted another effort.
However, there was to be no escape in the 16th minute when a right flank attack allowed Foster to set up Taylor for a confident finish and only three minutes later, skipper Tony Hallam had a free header at a corner which went just over the bar.
In this spell, Buxton could only raid occasionally up the slope, but Mark Reed looked a threat.
A Neil Stevens through ball saw Newnes dash from his goal and then midway through the first half Buxton were denied a penalty – which the referee stated he had not given because he had taken advice from his better placed assistant.
Two minutes later, Hallam made it two with an accurate shot into the top corner, to end another penetrative attack.
Gregg Anderson and Scott Maxfield were brought on and almost immediately Buxton were recognisably stronger, with a Grant Black pass putting Reed away. He rounded the keeper, but the angle was too narrow for him to convert.
Gavin Knight appeared for the second half and the visitors started with a spell of pressure which was eased by some wayward passing by the Bucks. Anderson managed a good effort, but to no avail.
Nevertheless, the Bucks were back in contention after 67 minutes when Reed's headed flick allowed Knight to hook the ball home superbly.
Rattled, Town looked to regain their two goal cushion, but it was Buxton who scored again with Neil Stevens taking advantage of indecisive defending to to score into an empty net.
Scott Hartley now had to show his quality as Kendal attacked desperately, and he cut an impressive figure until he was beaten in the 89th minute by a Danny Wisdom header.
Even then Bucks did not capitulate, forcing three consecutive corners. From the first, taken by Maxfield, a defender cleared from the line. Even Scott Hartley joined the fray, but to no avail.
After the final whistle, Kendal's joy was unrestrained as news of the draw at FC United arrived to give them a place in the play offs.
There was no bigger smile than that on the face of the Kendal President – the legendary Tom Finney!
Buxton: Hartley, Black, Bowker, (Anderson 30)Agus, Ridley, Stevens, Mosely, Towey, Turley, Reet (Knight 45) Reed. Unused subs Brodie and Wood.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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