Grayson gives Buxton a share of spoils against Halesowen

George Grayson scored for Buxton in their 1-1 draw at home to Halesowen Town in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier on Saturday.
Buxton FC v Halesowen, Jamie GreenBuxton FC v Halesowen, Jamie Green
Buxton FC v Halesowen, Jamie Green

For the second consecutive Saturday these two mid-table teams ultimately cancelled each other out in both halves to share the points.

Despite lacking experienced players in Barnes, Buckley, Ravenhill and Young, plus Burbeary who was only fit enough for the bench, the Bucks still carved out a majority of clear scoring chances.

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But they could only once puncture the visitors’ rearguard, courtesy of a lovely headed goal by George Grayson. His three previous starts had been in cup-ties since joining the club in November.

Here he played in a left wing-back role in a system changed to 3-4-1-2 and was named man-of-the-match by his manager as Glenn Belezika was demoted to the bench to allow his promotion.

Halesowen dominated possession down the slope in the opening quarter, forcing as many as six corners, but the first chance on 12 minutes fell to Ash Worsfold whose glancing header passed wide.

While for the visitors, left-back Griffiths’ rising drive forced Myles Wright into a tip-over save and he had to repeat the act before Grayson put Buxton ahead on 33 minutes.

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He started and finished the left-wing move that gave his side the lead against the run of play, Worsfold providing the cross.

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The striker then put another glancing header wide before the Yeltz equalised just six minutes after falling behind.

‘Keeper Wright was deceived by the bounce of Sweeney’s shot in front of him but after the goal he recovered immediately to clear a high ball convincingly with a double-fisted punch.

Either side of the interval the Bucks went close to scoring.

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First Bradley Barraclough headed over the bar after Grayson and Worsfold had done the spade-work on the left, then immediately on the resumption Barra’ flicked on a Jamie Green corner-kick for Joel to fire over the bar from close range.

The visitors had made two half-time substitutions but it was Buxton who seemed more likely to score as both Barra’ and Niall Doran had shots blocked close to the line then Worsfold sent one shot wide and had another saved low.

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The Bucks again went close in the 70th-minute when Spencer Harris helped on a deflected Green free-kick for Barra’ to flick an effort onto the bar, while for Town Anderson’s curling shot from a corner of the penalty area was not far wide.

Searching for a breakthrough, Buxton made their lone substitution to play with four forwards and just three defenders.

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But when Fabrice played in Worsfold the striker couldn’t get his shot away and it took a superb Wright save with his legs after the Yeltz had counter-attacked with a spare man for Buxton to keep their point.

Curiously, the team’s four league draws have been recorded against just two sides - Halesowen and Sutton Coldfield.

BUXTON: Wright; Bembo-Leta(J), Salt, Green; Doran(Bembo-Leta(F)74), Wiles, Harris, Grayson; Taylor; Barraclough, Worsfold. Subs not used: Burbeary, Belezika, Doyle, Ryan.

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