Five-star Buxton FC rip Stafford Rangers to shreds

Apart from a strangely sluggish showing in the game's third quarter, the Bucks dominated proceedings, with the big win set up by a sparkling first-half performance which might well have produced more than the two goals that were scored.

Despite facing the strong, corner-to-corner, Storm Jorge wind, the Bucks' drive and passing ability were soon creating clear openings at the Railway End. In the first eight minutes, Tom Elliott drove narrowly wide from 19 yards, Diego, played through, chipped advancing ex-Matlock 'keeper, Lewis King, but missed the target, then home midfielder Reece King from 15 yards also fired narrowly wide.

The visitors' defence, lacking regular centre-backs Moran and suspended ex-Silverlander, Danny Burns, was struggling to cope and eventually conceded in the 24th minute as, for the first of three occasions, it failed to clear a corner-kick.

Callum Chippendale, starting for the first time since September, drove home.

It was 2-0 five minutes later as Diego showed fine control of a forward ball to round the 'keeper and slot home, then went close after taking a pass from Reece King, choosing to shoot early from 25 yards.

At the other end, Rangers lost Cuff to injury as their one threatening attack was thwarted, while ex-Silverlander Brad Grayson looked the most likely visitor to create an opening.

In spite of enjoying the wind behind them, 'the Bucks' started the second half in disappointing fashion and saw their lead halved when Matt Hill, the veteran ex-QPR defender, scored from close range.

It took 20 minutes for the Bucks to seal the game with a third when Connor O’Grady netted a Tom Elliott corner-kick at the far post.

Now more fluent 'the Bucks' continued to attack and in the 77th minute Liam Hardy, returning as substitute from injury, scored his 18th goal of the season, forcing home yet another uncleared flag-kick.

Diego completed the scoring emphatically 10 minutes on, taking a neat Alex Brown pass and the sheer power of his 12-yard shot defeated the well-placed 'keeper to enter goal under the angle.

Hitting the post at the end proved no consolation for the eventually well-beaten Stafford, while the only negative for Buxton was another injury for the unfortunate Kristian Scott, just five minutes after his return as substitute.

Buxton: Shenton, Curly, Brown, Chippendale (Scott (Lenighan)), N De Girolamo, O’Grady, Orlando-Young (Hardy), King, D De Girolamo, Elliott, Clarke. Unused Subs: Harrison and Padden.