NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH REPORT: BUXTON PICK UP NARROW WIN IN SUFFOLK

Buxton secured all three points in Suffolk with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Needham Market.

The match initially lacked rhythm, with both teams only managing half-chances in the opening ten minutes. Needham Market threatened from a corner, while the visiting side tested the goalkeeper with a free-kick that was punched away.

Needham Market created the first clear-cut opportunity in the 20th minute when a well worked passing move found Luke Ingram on the right side of the box. His shot for the far corner was blocked and cleared.

In the 27th minute, Buxton broke the deadlock when Luke Brennan’s cross from the right picked out Tommy Elliott at the back post. Although his header was cleared, the ball fell to Oliver Ewing, who fired it into the net to give Buxton a 1-0 lead.

Just before halftime, the home side found an equaliser. A long ball picked out Tevan Allen, and although his shot forced Paul Cooper into a sharp save, the rebound fell to an unmarked Jamie McGrath, who slotted it home to level the score heading into the break.

The visitors responded strongly in the second half, regaining the lead just four minutes after the restart. Elliott collected the ball in the area and lifted it over the Needham Market goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Needham Market almost found another equaliser when Kyle Hammond’s free-kick from the left struck the crossbar, before being punched clear by the Buxton keeper.

Following this, Buxton launched a counter-attack, leaving the home side outnumbered with a three-on-two situation. Johnny Johnston had a chance in the area, but his shot was blocked.

Buxton continued to press for a third goal, with centre-back Bobby Faulkner narrowly missing the target twice in quick succession with headers.

With time running out, Buxton had one more chance to extend their lead. Brennan reached the byline and squared the ball to Elliott, but goalkeeper Marcus Garnham was quick to block the shot and deny the visitors a third goal.

In the end, Buxton’s resilience saw them hold on to their one goal advantage and secure a vital win on the road as they head into the final five games of the season.