REPORT: Buxton 1-2 Rushall Olympic

They faced a home side noticeably lacking its two most experienced players,Ricky Ravenhill and Greg Young, as well as Tom Buckley.

There was no lack of effort but the Bucks conceded possession too often to attack more than spasmodically and after pulling back a goal on the hour surrendered their chance of a grandstand finish by going down to ten men in the 78th minute.

These deficiencies enabled a sound Rushall outfit to win for a fifth time in their six most recent visits.

Buxton had made a very promising start with Jamie Green curling a cross onto the bar, Spencer Harris getting in a diving header at a free-kick and Alastair Taylor’s low pull-back narrowly evading his team-mates,all in the first five minutes.

Taylor, ably assisted by Bradley Barraclough, was soon proving to be the home side’s most penetrative attacker but midway through the half the visitors got on top.

Keeper Myles Wright,who had another good match, saved with his legs from Martin but his defenders were conceding possession too often in clearing their lines.

They were punished in the 27th minute when Wright parried McKenzie’s shot but Reid converted at close range.

Wright had again to save with his legs as McKenzie was allowed to gallop clear of the defence.

There was to be no escape just prior to the interval as Reid doubled Rushall’s advantage, again from close range, despite Wright’s best efforts.

Buxton came out for the second-half in determined fashion with Taylor robbing Fox at the byline but keeper Price took his cross.However,his side scored on the hour. Fine work by Barraclough led to a corner and from Green’s excellent delivery the ball was half-cleared to substitute Niall Doran and he lashed the ball home unhesitatingly from 12 yards.

Buxton sought an equaliser with the best opportunity falling to Harris but he couldn’t get his shot away as another low Taylor cross reached him.

Then Glenn Belezika saw yellow for a second time and the Bucks, unsurprisingly thereafter were unable to salvage a point.

Nonetheless there were further good individual performances to look back on.

Joel Bembo-Leta did much good cover work on the right side of defence, Harris strived manfully to fill the Ravenhill role in midfield and debutant Chris Salt had a solid debut in re-adapting to NPL standard.

Buxton: Wright; Belezika, J Bembo-Leta, Salt, Green; Taylor, Harris, Wiles, Burbeary (Doran 45); Barraclough, Worsfold. Unused subs: Grayson,Doyle,Ryan.