Match Preview proudly sponsored by Northumbria Print
Date: Saturday 22nd January 2022
Venue: Craik Park, Morpeth Common, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 2YX
Kick Off: 3pm
Competition: Northern Premier League Premier Division
Highlights: Highwaymen TV
The Highwaymen return to league action on Saturday when they face high-flying Buxton at Craik Park.
History
Formed as an offshoot of the town’s cricket club, Buxton F.C. began life in the autumn of 1877. Its first game took place on Saturday, October 27th, at The Park (still the home of the cricket club) when 14 members picked sides for a 7-a-side match. In the next few years, the club played its home matches in fields at Cote Heath, off London Road and at Green Lane before moving to its current ground at the Silverlands in 1884, then a field owned by Frank Drewry, the club’s first captain. The first game there was a Derbyshire Cup tie on Saturday, November 1st, when “the Bucks” defeated Bakewell 2-0.
Situated 1000 feet above sea level, the Silverlands is the highest ground within the Pyramid of soccer – and substantially higher than the highest Football League ground (The Hawthorns). The Main Stand has seats for 500 and the 2 covered terraces provide accommodation for a total of over 2,000. Recent development work at the club has seen a major revamping of the social club and the building of a new boardroom as well as extending the home dressing room and most recently, the addition of a further dressing room to accommodate lady officials.
The club entered The Combination in 1891 and joined the Manchester League in 1899, winning the championship in 1931/32, which prompted a move to the Cheshire League for the following season (though the reserve side remained in the Manchester League and won the title in 1959/60). It took 40 years to bring the Cheshire League title to Buxton, though the club had been runners-up in 1962/63. Promotion to the NPL for the 1973/74 season was an opportunity eagerly seized and honours in this league comprise the winning of the President’s Cup in 1980/81 and a League Cup final appearance at Maine Road in 1990/91.
A members’ club run by an elected committee for most of its life, Buxton F.C. became a Limited Company in June 1993. The club was beset by financial problems after the establishment of the National Lottery and successive relegations in 1997 and 1998 took it to the NCEL. Manager Kenny Johnson and Ronnie Wright inspired a revival in 2002 and when Nicky Law took over from them in 2005 he was given the brief of leading the club back to Northern Premier League status. His first success was in leading the club to NCEL Presidents Cup victory in April 2005 in a thrilling 2-legged final against Sutton Town and in 2005/06 ‘the Bucks’ enjoyed their best season since the early 70’s.
Nicky Law departed the club at the end of 2006/07 and was replaced by the experienced John Reed, and assisted by ex-Swansea City player Clive Freeman, who guided the club the UniBond Premier League play-off final in his first season in charge, just missing out to Gateshead. The 2008/09 campaign didn’t get off to the best of starts with injuries and suspensions robbing the squad of key players and a relegation battle was only avoided following an upturn in fortunes after the New Year. The club did win some silverware though in the shape of the Derbyshire Senior Cup, which returned to the Silverlands after an absence of 22 years.
In 2014/15 the Bucks were always in the hunt for a play-off place until the final throws of the campaign, but poor home form cost vital points and the final finish of 10th was the lowest position in the league table for virtually the whole season. Another mid-table finish was achieved in 2015/16 but the transfers of leading scorer Liam Hardy and influential midfielder Warren Burrell, plus a serious injury to the experienced ‘keeper Phil Barnes, meant yet again that elusive play-off place was missed. Last season was yet again a story of a late dip in form costing the club when a play-off place was missed despite being in the top five for the majority of the campaign.
Last Match
The Highwaymen made it to the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Boston United on Saturday. Jake Wright Lewis opened the scoring for the Pilgrims before Jack Foalle whipped home his first of the afternoon. Liam Henderson shot home from distance before Boston levelled and then took the lead in added time through Scott Duxbury and Danny Elliott. Liam Noble levelled from the spot early in the half before Jack Foalle won it with a diving header.
Buxton played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Warrington at Silverlands. Jordan Buckley opened the scoring for the Yellows but that was cancelled out by Jamie Ward. Buckley restored the lead for the visitors but Tommy Elliot restored parity for the Bucks. Sean Williams with almost the last kick of the half, however, Jamie Ward made it 3-3 in the second half.
