FC Buxton 4 – 1 Deva Chat FC (Chester)

The FC Bucks went into their first competitive match of the season hoping for an improvement on their performance in the first game of last season, where they lost heavily to a much better prepared Port Vale side.

After the friendly against HSL the previous Wednesday, The Cat took charge of his first IFA game as sole manager, following the controversial resignation of Merse the magician at the end of last season. It would be a tough act to follow, but The Cat purred with confidence as he pulled up in the car park.

With a strong squad at his disposal, including a rare appearance from the lost boy Chaddy, The Cat opted for a mix of youth and experience in his first starting line up. Mark was rewarded for his fine preseason form (conceding just one goal in…erm, one match) with a place between the sticks, as Mr Turner decided once again to watch the game from the sidelines, with just his notepad for company. Bettsy, Ryan Redfern, Mossy and Merse made up the defence. The midfield consisted of reigning Forum Player of the year Dren on the right, Bammer and Utility Corbett in the middle and Chaddy on the left. Quiet man Gav lined up alongside Dom up-front.

Having never beaten Chester in three previous attempts (the last meeting being particularly disappointing for FC Bucks), it was important FC made the most of the perfect conditions and took the game to Deva Chat early on. This they did, and some solid defending from the back four enabled the midfield to concentrate on feeding the ball forward and to the wings.

Buxton were rewarded for their early dominance with two quick goals midway through the first half. The first game when a through ball was met by Gav, whose finish was a surprising mix of composure and accuracy. Bammer popped up moments later to force the ball over the line to make it 2-0, and the Bucks were in cruise control. With little worrying them from the opposition, the lads went in at half time full of optimism. It had been a tough half in the Fairfield heat wave, but at least it gave us chance to sweat out the lager, cider, burgers, sausages, kebabs and various other delicacies which had been consumed over the summer months.

HT 2-0.

With just the one half time change from The Cat, Ash coming on for Chaddy on the left, the message was clear from the Gaffer at the interval, ‘keep it up!’. It was felt that an early goal might kill off the tiring visitors, and the Bucks set out to carry on the good work from the first half.

However, it soon became clear that Chester were not about to give up the ghost, as they drove at Buxton with renewed enthusiasm. Bettsy soon went off with a suspected scratched nose, followed by the withdrawal of Dan ‘Louis Saha’ Moss due to a sore finger. This seemed to unsettle Buxton, and Chester were soon back in it, as Redburn brought down the onrushing striker and the referee pointed to the spot. Despite a strong hand from ‘Nanny’, the strike was too powerful and the score was 2-1.

What happened next will be talked about for weeks to come – in the Corbett-Solibun household anyway. After Bammer struck the bar from close range, the ball fell to Corbo, whose crisp strike evaded all and nestled in the bottom corner. The celebration was one of pure elation; in fact, he’ll probably be getting damp just reading this… 3-1.

It appeared the match was over when FC Buxton were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left on the clock. Everybody seemed to want a go, but the Gaffer decided it would be Micky P who would take it. He is the nicest man in football and current Players’ Player of the Year, after all. Despite all his accolades, seconds later he was willing the ground to swallow him up as the ball sailed harmlessly wide. No further comments.

In the dying minutes Bammer put the game beyond doubt, as he showed off his infamous burst of pace to chase down a long ball and exquisitely lift the ball over the oncoming goalie. 4-1.

The final whistle came and the FC Bucks were up and running. The Cat had got the cream.

Ex-gaffers man-of-the-match: Ryan Redfern.