15 minutes before the team were set to meet the bad news arrived that Joe had fallen ill and would have to miss the game. This left a conundrum as to who would play in goal, Jude stepped up and accepted the responsibility.
The message to the boys was to make a fast start or risk falling behind early, unfortunately the message wasn’t heeded as the boys started slowly and were 0-2 down early in the game. The weather conditions were blustery and unfortunately for Buxton the wind was in their faces as was the opposition, making it hard for Buxton to sustain any position and mount any meaningful attacks. Despite this the boys continued to battle, with multiple Chesterfield attacks repelled by a combination of Jude, Liam, Dylan and Mason. As half time approached Buxton broke away with Kaden driving forward down the left hand side, as he approached the keeper his attempted shot fell into the centre of the penalty area where Brooklyns refusal to give up the chase was rewarded with an open goal which he gratefully put away bringing Buxton back into the game at 1-2. Half time arrived without further incident.
The halftime team talk was an explanation that the boys were aware that they hadn’t listened to the caution before the game regarding the need for a fast start. This was followed with a well done for fighting back and earning a way back into the game. The second half instructions were to use the wind that was now in their favour when needed and a promise that if they fought hard and put in the effort that they were capable of that they would win the game.
The second half started and this time Buxton got onto the front foot, pressing the Chesterfield players all over the pitch. Leo finding his footing quickly in the half realised that if he ran at his defender he had the beating of him and began to use this to his advantage, picking the ball up inside the Chesterfield half he drove forward fending off challenges until he found himself inside the box where he found the required finish to bring Buxton level at 2-2. Now in the ascendency Buxton continued to press forward with Kieran continuously breaking up play and passing forward to get the attacks started. Leo once again picked the ball up inside the Chesterfield half and scored an almost carbon copy of his first goal to put Buxton in front at 3-2. Chesterfield responded by sending on their giant of a forward, in a bid to protect the defence Mackenzie was tasked with man marking him. Without hesitation he set about the task, a continuous thorn in the side as he nullified what was Chesterfields attempt at shaking the game up in a fantastically selfless performance. As the game wore on chances were created at both ends with Jude pulling off a brilliant save to deny Chesterfield an equaliser. Dylan making a phenomenal last ditch block and Liam constantly winning headers. Into the last few minutes and Buxton won a corner, the ball was swung in to Lewis who took up a great position inside the box as he had come in from his wing, he found the control and a deadly finish to make it 4-2 and put the hand out of reach for Chesterfield. The boys saw the game out to claim a brilliant come back victory and boost the ever growing confidence within team. Unbeaten in 3 and top of the league.
Man of the match was selected by the referee who chose Leo due to his powerful running and fantastic work rate in the second half which was rewarded with 2 goals. Well done Leo!
Managements thoughts….
Great battling and determination on display as well as a never say die attitude is great to see. That sort of attitude is hard to coach into players, it is good to see that the boys show it by themselves.
A slow start is hard to recover from, we could do with avoiding it in future if possible. However, given the conditions the boys faced in the first half they did well.
Thankyou to all the parents who turned out and supported the boys. We appreciate it, as do the boys! Thankyou to Lee for running the line and doing a good job!
