Buxton 4–2 Marine; Enterprise NLN; Saturday 31st October 2026.
Fallon Davies reports from Silverlands Stadium…
Marine conceded more than two goals for the first time this season, but the scoreline belied a hard-fought contest.
Buxton took an early lead when a long ball from their half found number seven Johnny Johnston in acres of space. One-on-one with Jack McIntyre, he finished tidily.
The Iron Men responded with fluent attacking football, their defence seeking out Simms and Jolley, who battled the Buxton centre-backs. Marine nevertheless trailed by a goal at half-time.
Marine emerged as the dominant side after the break, as they have throughout the season, winning second balls and combining with brilliant passing.
Miscommunication between McIntyre and his defence then undermined Marine’s dominance. The keeper left his penalty area to challenge for a long ball, leaving Weston an empty net. Drysdale recovered to block his shot but could not stop Mees’ rebound into the top corner.
Undeterred by the two-goal deficit, the Mariners produced another fine passing move. Sinclair-Smith drove down the left flank and delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. The ball bounced off Robinson, Burton and then Mee before finding the net, bringing Marine back into the match.
Marine pressed for an equaliser as a shaken Buxton fought desperately to protect their lead.
Despite Marine’s high press, a defensive lapse allowed Weston to score with an unchallenged shot into the top corner, restoring Buxton’s two-goal advantage.
Minutes before the ninetieth-minute mark, the Mariners sent the ball forward to substitute George Kattah. Under pressure from two defenders, he smashed it onto the crossbar and over the line to bring Marine back into the game.
Kattah’s brilliant finish was not enough. Another Marine defensive lapse let Buxton through in the ninety-second minute, and Scales seized the opportunity to score their fourth and seal the win.
Marine (4-3-3): McIntyre, Drysdale, Butler (Huby 60), Wardle, Whittingham, Whelan (Kattah 84), Darby, Raikhy, Sinclair-Smith, Simms (Potter 65), Jolley (McAleny 78)
Unused Subs: Timmins, Doyle, Lawless.
Attendance: 842.
