Gary Hayward wants Buxton to get points on the board early - on case season is settled on PPG

The Bucks kicked off their Northern Premier League season on Saturday, but with COVID-19 case on the rise once again there remains that nagging doubt at the back of the mind that yet another term could be curtailed.

The 2019-20 campaign was declared null and void in March after the Football Association decided that all leagues from step 3 down should be declared null and void as the country entered lockdown during the first pandemic's first spike.

However, if another season is cut short the final standings may be decided in a different manner.

With that in mind, Hayward wants to make sure the Bucks pick up points early on, following on from the weekend's 4-2 victory over Radcliffe.

"We've got to try to win as many games as possible, so if the coronavirus does hit we might get lucky and get up anyway," he said.

"That's just it, what we need is to get games in and get points."

The Bucks face a league double this week as they entertain Whitby Town on Saturday (KO 3pm) and travel to Nantwich Town on Tuesday.

The Whitby contest has been switched to the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium due to the recent rise of COVID-19 cases in the north east.

"We need to be at it. We need to win as many games as we can early on,” Hayward added.

"Our home record is good, we've been unbeaten now for 11 games.

"We've played good sides. I know pre-season counts for nothing but it gives you that winning mentality, which is what we wanted.

"The lads are good, in a good place at the minute."

Turning his attention to Tuesday’s clash with the Dabbers, Hayward added: “Nantwich are a very good side. They've been together for several years, those lads.

"They're a good side. There are no real bad sides at this level.

"We'll get one or two who struggle and after the first five or six games you know who they are.

"You just have to, when you do play them, get points on as quick as possible. But Nantwich will be a tough side."