'Perfectionist' Hayward challenges Buxton to hit top gear for Chester test

The National League North Seals will visit for the Bucks' final warm-up test ahead of the season opener against Radcliffe Borough seven days later.

And boss Hayward hopes a the results of a hard pre-season will be on show.

"I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes down to it," Hayward said.

"I expect everyone else to be the same level as me.

"When something goes wrong I don't dwell on it, but I put it to the back of my head and then, before we go out again, I say 'that, that and that has to be right'. If it isn't we work on it (in training).

"Like set pieces, I made them do it last week. We've got to be right."

The Bucks boss may set high standards, but he has been full of praise for his side's response to his demands.

"To be fair, they do listen and take it on board. They're good pros so they don't take much teaching, and they do listen," he added.

"Sometimes you get a few people at a lesser standard who think they know it all. These lads are good pros, to be fair to them."

Looking forward to Saturday's contest, the manager continued: "I just want them to do the basics well and get the results they deserve.

"I think on paper it's very tough. They're Conference North.

"I'm pleased with the way the group's gone, just a couple of things we've got to work on, but it's coming."

One thing that has impressed Hayward this summer has been his side's fitness level.

He said: "I told Wardy (assistant Mark Ward) and Nige (coach Nigel Keogh) what I was after and they put it on.

"To be fair, those two have done really well, credit to the lads as they've done it to the levels I've asked from them."

Reece Styche's penalty and finishes from Warren Clarke and Diego DeGirolamo saw Buxton beat Chorley, a National League side last season, 3-1 in a friendly on Tuesday evening where DeGirolamo saw a late penalty rebound off the bar.

That followed on from Saturday's 3-1 victory over Leek Town, where Reece King, Clarke and DeGirolamo found the net.