PRESEASON REPORT: BUXTON FALL TO NARROW DEFEAT AGAINST STOCKPORT

Buxton fell to a narrow defeat in their penultimate pre-season fixture, losing 1-0 to Stockport County B side.

The Bucks started brightly, applying early pressure and forcing a flurry of corners in the opening minutes.

Despite their strong start, it was the visitors who created the first clear opportunity. A Stockport trialist surged forward, cut inside, and forced Buxton’s trialist goalkeeper into a sharp diving save.

Moments later, Buxton went close at the other end. Johnny Johnston whipped in a pinpoint cross that found Callum Ebanks, whose powerful header was kept out by a smart reflex save from the Stockport keeper.

Captain Connor Kirby came even closer soon after, striking a well hit freekick that clipped the top of the crossbar.

Stockport opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Ashton Mee picked up possession in midfield and threaded a precise ball through to Aron Allen, who slotted calmly past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Buxton almost found an immediate response. Cian Coleman curled an effort just wide, before Deniche Hill saw his close range attempt tipped over the bar.

At the other end, a defensive lapse forced Kirby into making a crucial block to deny Mee from doubling Stockport’s lead.

The second half began in scrappy fashion, with few chances early on. Mee registered the first effort of the half, testing the Bucks’ goalkeeper again before the defence cleared the danger.

Allen nearly added his second of the evening from the right hand side, drawing another save from the Buxton stopper.

Buxton’s best chance of the half came from Coleman, whose dangerous freekick was nodded behind by a defender.

With six minutes left on the clock, substitute Luke Brennan delivered a fine cross into the box which found Ebanks, but the striker’s header flew over the bar.

Buxton now turn their attention to their final pre-season fixture, where they will take on Warrington Town.