Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s Senior Football Correspondent Elliot Steadman
Buxton secured a hard-fought victory over Brackley Town, with Dan Ogwuru’s first-half volley proving the difference.
Action unfolded quickly, with Brackley’s Scott Pollock stepping up for a free kick from 20 yards, only to see his curling effort drift just over the bar.
The visitors responded almost immediately with an incisive attack, as Tommy Elliott unleashed a fierce strike that went into the Brackley goalkeeper’s hands.
On the left flank, Johnny Johnston provided a moment of brilliance in the 19th minute, dancing past his marker before cleverly winning a corner for The Bucks.
Momentum came Buxton’s way again in the 26th minute, sparked by Connor Kirby’s relentless midfield energy. Wrestling possession from a Brackley player, he surged forward and picked out Luke Brennan on the wing. Brennan’s pinpoint cross found Ogwuru in full flight, and the on-loan striker met it with a first-time volley, putting it in for his first goal for the club to make it 1-0.
Play became scrappier as the half wore on, with both teams conceding frequent free kicks. Brackley’s Morgan Roberts came close from one such opportunity, but his effort sailed harmlessly over Paul Cooper’s goal.
Buxton had one last chance before the break when Brennan beat his man and drove into the box, cutting the ball back to Oliver Ewing. His shot was blocked, and the rebound fell to Kirby, who fired over the bar.
At halftime, Brackley made a change, introducing Riccardo Calder for Tyler Littler, and the substitute nearly made an instant impact, forcing Cooper into a save at his near post.
Both teams had goal line clearances after this. Elliott’s dangerous ball across the box was hooked away by a Brackley defender, while at the other end, he turned saviour, clearing after George Carline flicked on corner towards Matt Lowe, whose header looked destined for the net.
Brackley kept pushing for an equaliser, with Roberts again testing Cooper, this time with a volley on the edge of the box that the goalkeeper reacted superbly to save.
As full-time approached, the hosts carved out one final chance. Lowe, delivering from the right, picked out substitute Danny Newton, but his header cleared the bar.
Buxton held firm in stoppage time, defending resolutely to secure a third consecutive victory and maintain their winning run.
