Road to Wembley - Buckled

Our N&R Road to Wembley heroes Buxton FC fell at the last hurdle before the 1st Round Proper on Saturday losing to an injury time goal at Fleetwood Town to remind us once again the thin line between glory and defeat.

Fleetwood Town are currently 5th in the Conference table, two divisions higher than Buxton but the Bucks put on a superb performance in Lancashire, and were just seconds from gaining a replay and of course having their number on a ball in the famous FA Cup draw.

No less than 8 Fleetwood starters have played league football and the majority of the players began their lives in either Liverpool or Everton's academies. Sean Gregan, who has played 624 games for Oldham (he is their current club captain), Preston, West Brom and Leeds made his debut for Fleetwood Town in defence as if they didn't have enough big guns already!

Buxton cheered on by a huge travelling army started well. Buxton’s first chance came on 12 minutes after good work by skipper Gregg Anderson down the left. A miscue found Kieran Lugsden but the nine-goal top scorer fluffed his chance.Then Bucks took an unexpected lead on 18 minutes when Town defender, Peter Cavanagh, received his fourth booking of the season for bringing Neil Stevens down in the area and Buxton goal scoring legend, MARK REED, scored decisively from the spot.

Town pressed for the equaliser and had a great chance from a free kick just outside the box on the half hour but Anthony Barry fired over. All the pressure was coming from Town but Buxton came back again towards the break with Reed beating the offside trap but denied by Scott Davies, who made a crucial save in the context of the match.

In the 2nd half Buxton attacked immediately and Neil Stevens shot just wide off his left foot. McNulty fired wide on 49 minutes as Town finally put some pressure on. Then on 50 minutes following good work by the Brazilian Vieira, the ball came out to Warlow who struck home off his right foot for Fleetwood's equaliser.

Tricky Fleetwood winger Mullan then beat offside only to be denied by a great tackle from Josh Wilde. Buxton cleared off the line from Seddon as Town mounted relentless pressure.

Buxton were still dangerous on the break with Davies forced to concede a corner from the dangerous Lugsden. Great build up from Mullan and Warlow with 15 minutes to go almost gave the impressive Miles an opportunity to slide in a second but Buxton defended manfully.

In a dramatic climax, Town mounted attack after attack and could have clinched victory on several occasions. In the end, pressure counted and it was Seddon who struck his third of the season in added time to break the boys from Derbyshire's hearts.

So it wasn't to be for poor Buxton, who miss out on being in the 1st Round for the first time for 50 years, but it was fun and we would like to wish them and their supporters the very best for the rest of the season.

Attendance: 1,181

Quotes:

Fleetwood Official Website: "Town came away with victory, an appropriate outcome based on territorial advantage and chances created, but Buxton emerged with heads held high after a dogged defensive performance punctuated with dangerous raids on the Town goal. Their impressive number of enthusiastic fans in a crowd of 1,181 will have been proud of their performance, if disappointed at the timing of the late winner."

Fleetwood Town now take over our N&R mantle and were drawn at home against League One Walsall. The game will take place on November 6th.