NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH REPORT: BUXTON START QUICK WITH THREE POINTS

Buxton opened their season with a 2-1 victory at The Silverlands, with goals from Luke Brennan and Connor Kirby securing the perfect start to their 2025/26 National League North campaign.

It took less than a minute for The Bucks to strike. A lightning break down the right from Johnny Johnston ended with a precise ball to the back post, where Brennan rifled his shot home for 1-0.

Skipper Connor Kirby then went close to doubling the lead, trying his luck from distance but sending his effort narrowly wide.

Radcliffe soon began to grow into the contest, with Danny Greenfield setting up Brad Jackson, only for the wide man to slice his shot behind.

On 15 minutes, Olly Thornley unleashed a strike from 25 yards, but Joe Young in the Buxton goal comfortably claimed it.

Jon Taylor was the next to threaten, swinging a dangerous free-kick into the box, forcing The Bucks’ defence to scramble the ball clear.

The visitors’ pressure eventually told five minutes before half-time. Taylor’s corner from the left bounced awkwardly in the area before finding its way into the back of the net, making it 1-1.

At the break, Buxton made a change in goal with Joe Young replaced by Paul Cooper.

Ten minutes into the second half, the hosts thought they had regained the lead when Brennan’s corner was headed by Burton into the path of Johnston, who fired into an empty net. However, the assistant’s flag went up for offside against Burton.

Johnston remained lively, bursting down the flank with pace and flashing a low shot just wide of the post.

Again, the right-hand side proved Buxton’s biggest threat, with Trueman linking up with Johnston before his cross was blocked behind for a corner.

The breakthrough came on 66 minutes. A loose ball fell kindly to Kirby just inside the area, and the captain struck it sweetly into the bottom-left corner to restore Buxton’s advantage.

At the other end, Cooper was called into action, producing a quick reaction save to keep Radcliffe out.

The visitors pressed again deep into stoppage time, with Maynard rising highest to meet a cross, but Cooper claimed it confidently to seal all three points.