UP NEXT
Buxton host Scarborough in the playoffs quarterfinals on Tuesday, 28th April, with a 7:45 pm kickoff.
The Bucks
On Saturday, Buxton secured 5th place in the league with a 4–1 victory over Leamington.
Goals from Kirby, Trueman, Brennan and Johnston meant that they earned a home tie.
Reflecting on the game and reaching the playoffs, manager John McGrath said:
“I thought from the off we were on the front foot, scored early and then kept on at them.
That was the remit all week was to start quick, Leamington already relegated but have got some good players in there.
We knew they posed a bit of a threat but yeah that was the focus all week on a bright start and a fast start.
It should be huge on Tuesday night.
We’ve finished in the club’s highest ever league position and playing Scarborough at home on a Tuesday night which is what we want.
We want a home tie because the pitch is conductive to how we play here.
Our away form is fantastic but recently home form’s been great.
So my message is to just come out and support and hopefully get us into the semi finals of the playoffs.”
Opposition facts
Scarborough Athletic are managed by Jonathan Greening, who took charge in May 2021. It marked his first role in management, and he enjoyed immediate success by securing promotion in his debut season through the NPL Premier Division play-offs. During his playing career, Greening won the Champions League with Manchester United in 1998-99 and lifted the League Cup with Middlesbrough in 2004.
Based in North Yorkshire, the club was founded in 2007 as a phoenix club following the winding up of Scarborough FC.
Known as The Boro, they are playing their home fixtures at Bridlington Town’s ground for the 2025/26 season after damage was discovered beneath their own pitch.
In terms of cup history, they reached the first round of the FA Cup in both the 2023-24 campaign and the following season, facing Forest Green Rovers and Burton Albion in what stands as their best runs in the competition.
Historically, Scarborough FC enjoyed significant success in the FA Trophy, winning the competition three times, the most of any side.
Last season saw the club finish 13th in the league, collecting 61 points.
Across the last ten matches, Scarborough rank 6th in terms of form, while Buxton sit 1st over the same period.
On their travels, they rank 10th in the away form table, having picked up 34 points from 23 games.
Scarborough finished 6th in the league, ending with 73 points, only behind Buxton on goal difference. This is the highest they have finished since reforming.
Their most recent experience of playoffs ended in promotion when they won the NPL Premier Division playoffs in the 2021/22 season, beating Warrington Town in the final.
On the final day, they secured a 1-1 draw with Bedford away from home, with Rio Allen securing a point for The Boro.
After getting Scarborough into the playoffs following their game against Bedford, manager Jonathan Greening said:
“Really pleased, I thought we played really well today I thought we controlled the game.
First half we had a lot of the ball and we probably didn’t make it count in the final third, the decision making in the final third let us down a bit but we were nice and calm at halftime we said to the boys just keep playing the way you are playing.
Obviously they get a really good goal, well worked header at the back stick.
Then under a bit of pressure I think we fell out of the playoffs.
But we had a water break we said to the boys just keep on going you’re going to get a chance and obviously Rio has popped up with the goal which he has done regularly this season.
And it was all us really just couldn’t get that second goal.
We deserved the point 100% and I’m really really pleased we are in the playoffs.”
One to Watch: Stephen Walker
After joining the club in February 2025, Walker has gone on to play a key role in the Scarborough side.
This season he is the club’s top goalscorer, with 18 league goals in the campaign.
In his youth career, he played for Middlesbrough, where he made seven appearances in the Championship during the 2019-20 season.
Whilst at Middlesbrough, he had loan spells at MK Dons (twice), Crewe Alexandra and Tranmere.
After leaving the club, he joined West Auckland before moving on to Whitby Town, where he scored 14 goals for The Blues.
He has also represented England at international level, featuring for the U17s, U18s and U19s.
Last time they faced
Just a few weeks ago Buxton were 2-0 winners against Scarborough at the TSS after goals from Luke Brennan and Johnny Johnston.
Earlier this season in the reverse game it was a 2-1 win for Scarborough in Bridlington, with all three goals coming in the opening seven minutes. Luke Brennan scored the goal for the Bucks.
