Tim Ryan impressed by Ryan McDermott debut

McDermott has been training with the first team since the start of December when he caught the eye of Bucks boss Martin McIntosh and assistant Tim Ryan when playing for the club’s reserve side.

He has since scored after coming off the bench in the 9-0 rout of Holbrook Sports in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, signed league forms and got his chance to shine when he was given the nod on Saturday.

His goal came when he latched on to a threaded through ball in the 75th-minute and slotted in from close range. Ex-Chesterfield FC defender Jack Broadhead had halved the deficit earlier in the half.

Assistant boss Ryan said: “It was great to give a debut to Ryan McDermott, who got the equaliser. He’s one of the young lads coming through the ranks at the club.

“Ryan’s been playing a few reserves games and we saw him in one of the local cup ties. He came on and did well that day and since then he’s been training with us.

“He’s been on the bench a number of times, waited patiently for his chance and that chance came on Saturday. He took it by getting us level in the game.

“He’s a good player and a confident lad. He’s technically sound and he’s got a lot to offer. He’s still a young lad and still got a lot to learn but he will.

“His attitude has been brilliant and it bodes well for him for the future. He came on right midfield, can play on either side, and did well for us on Saturday.”

And added: “It’s great for the club to have a player who has done that progression, who has come through the under-21s and reserves and into the first team.

“His progression is there for other local lads to look at. With his performance on Saturday and his goal there’s no reason why he can’t be here long-term.”

Buxton were without a number of first team players after sickness, injury and suspensions all took their toll on the team Ryan, in the absence of manager McIntosh due to flu, could name against Stalybridge at Silverlands.

And, at 2-0 down at half-time, words were needed at the break.

“It was a sloppy start to the game,” said Ryan. “The lads didn’t really come out of the traps so we struggled first half but we had a chat with them at half time.

“We asked them to up their games in the second half and they gave everything. The lads did a good job. We could have possibly won the game in the end.

“Their attitude was spot on in the second half. We were slow in the first half but we upped the tempo in the second and showed a bit more desire to win it.

“They did that. I couldn’t fault their performance in the second half. Realistically we could have gone on to win the game but we got something out of it.”

Buxton travel to eighth placed Farsley Celtic on Saturday hoping some of the walking wounded will return to action.