Burscough lose to Buxton 1-0 in UniBond Premier Division

Nov 26 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

All the latest reports from the Ormskirk and District Sunday Football LeagueBurscough lose to Buxton 1-0 in UniBond Premier Division

Burscough had the advantage of the wind after the restart, but it was taking them time to get going and the nearest to an early response was an overhead kick from Ashton Bayliss that formed no real threat in the 54th minute. Then Lugsden denied Brookfield a header after he beat him to a Field cross in the 61st minute.

After a clumsy push by Gregg Anderson on Matt Parry, Roberts lined up for one of his free-kick specials in the 64th minute, but that was a damp squib, hitting the Buxton defensive wall. Time was running out and Burscough could not get going in attack.

Buxton rarely looked likely to extend their lead, but came close in the 69th minute. Steve Ridley putting Dorryl Proffit away, but Bowen came to the rescue, blocking Proffit’s shot, while the rebound went wide.

Andy Gray made changes, but they only had a minimal effect. The truth was Buxton were working tirelessly and allowing Burscough no space in midfield, while falling back well in defence and smothering Burscough’s offensive efforts.

In the last ten minutes, Burscough went near three times, but not too near. After a cross field ball from Dave Standley, Jon Goulding cut inside and shot into the side netting. Gary McEvatt after holding the ball up put a 20 yard shot over the bar and when Jay Connolly was blocked out of getting a clean header on a Kay corner, it was game over for Burscough.

Buxton lost right-back Grant Black late in the game to a red card after he showed dissent to the referee (he had earlier been booked for a cynical tackle on Parry). But it was too late to matter.

Burscough didn’t play well. Though, that would not be giving sufficient praise to Buxton, who played the perfect away game, having had some luck, they took the lead, then kept Burscough at arms length with plenty of hard work and an organised defence.

BURSCOUGH: Clancy, Field, Bowen (Standley, 70), Kay, Connolly (c), Bayliss, Parry, Roberts, Hanley (McCulloch, 90), Goulding, Brookfield (McEvatt, 67) Subs (not used) Wilson, Christopher

BUXTON: Hartley, Black, Wilcox, Agus, Anderson (c), Maxfield, Lugsden, Stevens, Reed (McGaw, 90), Knight (Proffit, 59), Ridley Subs (not used) Millar, Pugh

Referee: A. Young

Attendance: 226