HERO HILL TOPS THE BILL

An inspired subsitution from player-manager Carl Taylor gave FC Buxton the victory in a closely-fought encounter in south-west Manchester on Saturday morning.

In a much-improved performance from last weekend's dire showing against Marine, an efficient FC held firm despite the hosts enjoying the majority of the possession, with a second-half winner from the ginger prince Chris 'Tiff' Hill from the bench securing all three points for the visitors.

With the late withdrawal of keeper Mark Redburn for the second week in succession leaving FC with only 11 regular players, the manager's decision to plunge into the emergency loan market earlier in the week paid dividends, with work-mates Nick Eaves and Jason Jeffery coming in to boost the numbers.

As the gaffer was suffering with a bout of the sometimes fatal 'man-flu', he opted to leave himself on the bench for this one, with fellow slow-coach Hill accompanying him as Taylor looked to inject some energy into the team. There was a welcome return for Adam Betts, who had managed to sew his hamstrings back together, and Jimmy JLS once again deputised between the sticks. Centre-half rock Andrew Gould returned in front of him. The starting line-up read as follows: Wright. Betts. Corbett. A Gould. Eaves. Jeffery. Drennan. Keane (c). Sheppard. D Gould. N Bainbridge.

With the pressure on FC following last week's disappointing loss, it was them who were quickest out of the blocks, as they took the lead within two minutes. A ball out of defence was latched on to by Nick Bainbridge, who, despite suspicions of offside, managed to out-pace the defender and finish at the second attempt from a tight angle - although rumours that it was an actually an own-goal are still being heard. 1-0.

A great start for FC Buxton and what felt like a weight off their shoulders. However, so early in the game, it was clear that there was still a lot of work to be done. Some promising attacking play from Sheppard and Jeffery on the flanks hinted at another goal, but with long-range shots from Drennan and Gould failing to really test the keeper, it never came.

United soon settled into their stride, with the impressive array of talent in their midfield causing Buxton to retreat. Fortunately for FC, the return of Gould at the heart of the defence had added the steel that was missing from last week's outing. Seemingly inspired by the big man, Corbett, Betts and Eaves were all clearing their lines well. When the defensive line was occasionally breached, the increasingly confident Wright in the Buxton goal was on hand to assist, with a save to his right the highlight of a good performance.

The gaffer was keen to sure things up in the middle of the park and, to try and counteract what had become a dominant area for the hosts, the temperamental Dangry Francis Gould was dropped to right-midfield (which also enabled the manager to more closely monitor the livewire from the touchline), with new-boy Jeffery making it a three-man central midfield alongside the hard-working Drennan and Keane. Goalscorer Bainbridge would operate as the lone striker. Hill remained on the bench... for now.

The introduction of Gould on the right of the midfield five helped to relieve some of the pressure that had been building since mid-way through the first half, with his good use of the ball allowing Drennan and Keane the chance to get their breaths back. However, United continued to spray the ball around with confidence, and it only appeared a matter of time before they would get themselves level.

When the equaliser did come, 15 minutes into the second half, it had more of a direct feel about it than the hosts' previously patient approach. With the Red Devils' midfielder finding some welcome space on the left following an FC foray into the opposition half, his through ball picked out the pacy young striker, who, despite the best efforts of veteran Stuart Corbett, raced clear and finished calmly past the helpless Wright. 1-1.

The home side now had their tails up, and it appeared as though FC may have to ride the storm to get anything from the match now that United had their goal. In their favour, however, the FC Bucks appear to thrive when faced with having their backs against the wall (maybe having to shower with Tiff every week helps with this?). Either way, the last half hour promised to be an interesting one.

As the next 10 minutes passed without danger, FC began to find their composure once more and the time was now for substitute Hill. With Sheppard relieved of his duties on the left following another tireless performance from the night-shifter, Dan Gould was deemed calm enough to leave the manager's side and moved to the left of midfield, with Tiff - normally employed as the 'water-carrier' a la Claude Makelele - slotting into an unusual right-midfield position.

And what an introduction it was. Following good work from Jeffery (now playing as the lone striker with Bainbridge in midfield) down the FC left, Drennan tested the keeper with a rising effort from 10 yards. With the United no.1 only able to parry, Hill was on hand to make sure as the defender looked to clear on the goal-line. His first, and possibly only, touch of the game, with his jubilant celebration ruling him out of much of the next 20 minutes as he battled to retain his breath. 2-1.

Slightly against the run of play but no less deserved for FC, the challenge for them now was to hold the lead in what was sure to be a nerve-wracking end to the match. United went close to replying when a well-hit free-kick rebounded to safety off Wright's crossbar, but the FC rearguard continued to frustrate the home attack, as time and again the final ball was wasted due to a lack of available options in the box for the men in red.