Buxton opened their pre-season campaign with a convincing 6-1 victory over Droylsden.
After a fast-tempo start, Kian Scales had the first effort on goal, but Jordan Latham was equal to it, getting down well to make the save.
In the 22nd minute, Buxton took the lead as Sammy Robinson won back possession before feeding Scales, who slipped Johnny Johnston through. The forward rounded Latham before calmly finishing into the empty net.
Just six minutes later, the Bucks doubled their advantage. Scales was again at the heart of the move, releasing Robinson down the wing, and he lifted his finish over the advancing Latham to make it 2-0.
However, Droylsden responded immediately. Buxton’s trialist goalkeeper was closed down by Cody Artwell, whose pressure forced an error that saw the ball end up in the net to reduce the deficit.
Following several changes at half-time, it took only 40 seconds for Tai Sodje to score his first goal of pre-season. Max Woltman picked out the striker, who delicately dinked the ball over the goalkeeper for 3-1.
Moments later, Buxton struck again as Sisa Tuntulwana powered a fierce effort across goal and into the back of the net to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Bucks continued to dominate and added a fifth in the 55th minute. Cian Coleman delivered an inviting cross into the box, where Sodje arrived to convert for his second goal of the afternoon.
Two minutes later, Sodje completed a superb hat-trick. The striker beat his defender with composure before placing a calm finish into the bottom corner to cap three goals in just 12 minutes.
Later, Dylan Mantle tried his luck from long range but couldn’t keep his effort on target as Buxton continued to press for more goals.
Soon after, Tuntulwana flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but none of his teammates could get the decisive touch to add a seventh.
Before the final whistle, Tuntulwana was denied by the woodwork after attempting to squeeze an effort in at the near post, while Mantle’s late shot was blocked, saved and eventually cleared as Buxton comfortably saw out an impressive opening pre-season victory.
