Another defeat for Buxton Hockey Club's men's first team - but Buxton Badgers win

The first 10 minutes started with quick passing, creating several chances that Buxton failed to convert.

Given time to find their feet, Birmingham were able to break quickly and open the scoring against the run of play.

The home side were quick to react with Jamie Wilton throwing a pass from the half way line over the defence finding Will Hebditch who was able to convert.

However, it was soon a similar story for the home side as chance after chance went begging meanwhile Uni of Birmingham scored twice more to lead 3-1 at half-time.

As the second half got going, both teams had many serious, quality plays from the off but clearly got frustrated as neither could beat the keepers with Buxton’s Josh Smith making a string of spectacular saves.

Tempers started to flare as neither side could find any further goals. Bad tackles and ill-discipline cost both sides with several cards being shown.

But Buxton Badgers enjoyed a 2-0 home win over Leek Badgers.

In a shortened game of three 20-minute periods, Buxton Badgers put in one of their best displays of the season so far to come out winners against visitors from Leek.

Buxton attacked well and with lots of teamwork, linking up passes and moving off the ball to create space.

Callum Desmond attacked well, offering pace and skill, terrorising the Leek defence. Lucas Heathcote also worked tirelessly up the wing, offering width to the play, and creating several chances from the left side.

Charlie Pearson opened the scoring early on after great work through the Buxton midfield found Pearson in the D who was able to turn and shoot.

In the second period Leek fought back well and Tom Desmond, in goal, was called upon to make numerous excellent saves throughout. Hannah Dunkin, ever reliable at the back also stood out with a tough tackling approach throughout the centre of midfield, giving Buxton overall command of the game and disrupted Leek on their attack time after time.

After surviving the second period, Buxton took control of the third and final period. Setting a much higher press, Buxton were able to pin Leek back into their own half and force chances onto the visitors’ goal – Buxton’s defence sweeping up well when Leek attempted to counter.

Pearson’s repeated attempts on goal were eventually rewarded as he claimed a second goal late on to cap off a Man of the Match performance in which he was desperately unlucky not to have finished with a hat-trick.