BLAST FROM THE PAST...with this weekend's trip to old rivals Burton Albion fast approaching, fcbuxton.co.uk takes a trip down memory lane, to April 2010 and the same fixture, when FC came up short against their bogey team from Staffordshire... HOME BREWERS LEAVE FC DROOPING AS AWAY-DAY SHORTAGES STRIKE AGAINBurton Albion 2 - 1 FC BuxtonFC Buxton travelled to neighbouring Staffordshire on Saturday morning, to face old foes Burton Albion. FC had recorded their first ever victory against Burton back in November 2007, and as such this fixture has always been seen as a marker for FC’s progression as a club.
 Despite the perfect footballing conditions on a glorious spring day, FC were again left short, with only six making the meet time of 8.45am. Redburn’s inability to set his alarm, coupled with an early morning trip to the airport for Gould didn’t help the numbers, but both were soon ‘knocked-up’ so to speak - and the addition of Betts, who, if rumours were true, had been “waiting half an hour” outside his house for a lift - meant the FC boy’s almost had the luxury of a full 11 for an away match (one day boys, one day).
Fixture arranging/Team selecting technician Tiff used his contacts in the game to make a last minute signing, kidnapping nephew Liam Norton for the day. The paperwork was completed and reached the IFA just in time to meet the 9.13am Saturday morning signing deadline – which FC are regularly forced to take advantage of on away days.
And so the mighty squad of 10 were finally on their way to Burton, only one hour behind schedule. By the time they had arrived, news had already reached them that the game would only be “30-40 minutes each way” as the referee “had to go”. This was often a ploy used by opposition teams, who found it difficult to cope with FC’s immense fitness and physical strength, particularly with the likes of full-back Merse in the ranks…
Tiff went with the following line-up: Redburn in nets. A back four of Betts, Corbett, Gould and Merse. The midfield consisted of Loanee Mark. Drennan. Bolton and newly-abducted Norton, with a mean looking strikeforce of Hill and Hallman.
Having finally got Tiff out of the areas that mattered and stuck him up top, FC started the game with a verve and penetration to their passing. A couple of early sighters at the Burton goal were met with some nervous goalkeeping from Albion’s stopper, and this served to encourage Buxton to put more pressure on the hosts’ box.
After a Drennan effort had been fumbled for a corner, and a pea roller from Tiff had given the keeper his only comfortable save of the match, a speculative cross from the quiet and retiring right-back Betts eluded all apart from debutant Norton at the back post. His composure enabled him to bring the ball down and roll it back across the line into the opposite corner of the net from a very tight angle. Norton had earlier seen an effort blocked on the line by Uncle Tiff, who was said to be “trying to keep his feet on the ground”. However, he was powerless to stop this one. 1-0.
Step up ‘Mr 50p Head’ himself Andrew Gould. Gould has often fancied himself as a bit of a menace from set-pieces, but his finishing on Saturday had more of a gnasher about it... A swinging Drennan free-kick from the right gave Gould the perfect chance to answer his critics. Despite being unmarked and with the goal at his mercy, his tame header whistled wide. His hair gel was still in tact though, thank god, and he admired himself in the reflection on his boots as he trotted back to his own half.
Following another chance for Gould, this time an open net (artistic license is a wonderful thing), it was decided that it would be best if he stayed in his own half for the rest of the game. Fortunately for The FC Bucks, he was having his best game so far at this end.
HT 1-0.
Buxton had enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, and although pleased with their efforts, there was a feeling that a couple more goals would have given them more of a cushion going into the second half. The conditions, however, meant that there was no reason why Buxton couldn’t continue their dominance. The team was unchanged going into the second half (no subs was the deciding factor here).
 Burton, with the advantage of fresh legs, made two changes at half-time, with Buxton’s nemesis Shane Roberts adding a bit more presence to what had been a weak forward line. A change in midfield also seemed to reap dividends for The Brewers, as the half started with Burton on top.
The sun was making if difficult for the defence to track high balls, and the strength of Roberts was acting as the outlet for the Burton midfield to have more of a say on the game. The inevitable equaliser came on 54 minutes, when, despite pressure from the tireless Bolton, a fierce low drive from the edge of the box found Redburn’s bottom corner. 1-1.
The goal spurred on the hosts, and they took the lead soon after, when some miscommunication in the FC defence enabled the Burton winger to beat the offside trap and slot into the corner of the net unmarked. 1-2.
Buxton’s infamous ‘mad 10 minutes’ had struck again, and they needed to show composure in order to stop the Burton pressure and try and get themselves back in the game. This they did, and they dominated proceedings for the rest of the game. Bolton and Drennan both went close with long range efforts, and I’m sure Gould must have missed another at some point…
Despite their late spell of pressure, time finally caught up with FC and, as the refereee anxiously looked at his watch and checked the United score on his phone, the whistle blew.
FC had done themselves proud in spite of the scoreline, and they went back knowing that with a stronger side, victory could have easily been theres for the taking.
If only we played every match at home…
FT 1-2.
Ex-gaffer’s MOTM: despite his failures up top, does his job at the back… Andrew Gould.
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