FA Cup a 'massive competition' for improving Buxton
Buxton hit the FA Cup trail this weekend buoyed by an upturn in league form.
They take on lower-level Ashton United at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium after despatching Brackley Town 5-0 and then fancied Chester 3-1 on Saturday, both on home turf.
The latest win lifted them above Chester and into seventh spot in National League North ahead of the visit from Ashton in the second qualifying round.
Buxton will be favourites to beat the side from Greater Manchester, who are mid-table in the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League.
The Bucks need to clear three hurdles to reach the first round proper.
Manager Jordan Broadbent said: “The FA Cup is a massive competition for this football club and there will be huge respect to the opposition no matter who we play, whether it’s top of our league, top of the league below or whoever.
"As I’ve always said, we will win, lose or draw on our own terms and we won’t approach this any differently.”
A goal in each half from in-form striker Sisa Tuntulwana helped see off Chester.
Tuntulwana, the summer recruit from Gainsborough Trinity, opened the scoring in the first half-hour and even though the lead was cancelled out ten minutes later by Billy Waters, Buxton soon got back in front.
Tuntulwana was taken down in the penalty area and Sheffield Wednesday loanee Devlan Moses slotted his first goal of the season from the resulting penalty to make it 2-1 just before half time.
The outcome was finally put beyond when Tuntulwana found the top corner 12 minutes from the end of normal time.
"Defensively we were outstanding,” added Broadbent. “We defended the box really well and it was just a solid team performance and another win.
"At the start Chester came out and challenged us tactically. They went four for four on our last line which caused us problems. That’s why we changed at half time and I thought we were a lot better.
"The boys took the information on well and it was a really good second half from us.”
The boss was also impressed by the staying power.
He added: "In the last two games we’ve got stronger as the game’s gone on and that’s a really big thing for us.
"Johnny Johnston, Max Woltman and Owen Devonport came on and we got better.
"The starting players, the front line, ran themselves into the ground and the boys who came on and finished the game off very well for us, same as Tuesday.”
Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm.