DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CHALLENGE CUP PREVIEW: BUXTON FACE DERBY’S UNDER 21’S FOR PLACE IN THE FINAL

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Buxton take a break from the league as they face Derby County’s under 21’s in the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup on 4th March with a 7:45pm kickoff.

The Bucks

The Bucks go into this game after drawing 1-1 with Scunthorpe at the weekend.

Ethan Mann scored his first goal for the club just before halftime before Carlton Ubaezunou scored late on to rescue a draw.

Following the draw manager John McGrath said:

"Although it seems like two points dropped we had to work hard all the way to get something out of the match.

After starting nervously we looked confident for long periods. Unfortunately, we fell into negativity to protect our leadtowards the end and let them in after 92 minutes.

Ethan Mann had produced a great volley to give us the lead just before half-time and it was nearly enough for the points. It's great to have Ethan back on loan from EFL Stockport County, defending really well in addition to hitting the opposition's net for us.

We've got a series of big games to complete before the end of the season and it will require us to be at our best. It's mightily tight in this league.

Before all that we've got a Derbyshire Senior Cup semi-final at home to the Derby County Academy. We're looking forward to that."

Opposition

Derby’s Academy side either play at Moor Farm training ground or at Causeway Lane which has a capacity of 2400.

Former Derby player Jake Buxton is the manager of the Under 21’s side having been manager of the Under 19’s he took charge in 2023.

In 2018-19 they were the division 2 champions in the Premier League 2.

They are nicknamed The Rams.

Last season they finished bottom of the Premier League 2 table on 16 points.

They currently sit 21st in the Premier League 2 on 17 points from 17 games.

In their most recent game they lost narrowly to West Ham’s under 21’s 1-0.

One to watch

20 year old Darren Robinson joined the club in 2021 and made his first team debut in a game against Bristol City in April 2022.

He is a versatile defensive midfielder that can also play at centre back.

Earlier this season he was out on loan at National League side Hartlepool.

Last Time Out

Buxton progressed through to the final on penalties after drawing 1-1 in normal time where Eoin McKeown got the goal for The Bucks.

Goals from Diego De Girolamo and Connor Kirby late on were the difference as The Bucks won 2-1 at Pride Park to win the trophy two seasons ago.