Having led twice at Blyth Spartans in the Isuzu FA Trophy (Saturday November 19th), Buxton failed to cope with home striker Cedric Main, who netted four times in a 4-2 win.
By far the two best goals of the game, however, were from the Bucks. Defender Sean Newton scored after six minutes with a swerving free-kick over the defensive wall from 20 yards out, then Tommy Elliott produced the goal of the season, perhaps of many seasons, with a jinking run from deep in his own half before dancing round the Blyth goalkeeper with the ball still at his feet.
Tommy's sensational strike just before half-time and Sean's earlier contribution were wiped out by Cedric Main with his 27th, 49th, 70th and 90th minute goals. The Bucks played well in patches but the home side deserved to go through. A bright spot was the return of another Buxton wounded warrior after a long lay-off. Jack McKay came on for the last quarter hour. Full Match Report HERE
Eyes turn now to the Emirates FA Cup next Sunday, as the Bucks go all out to make history. If they beat League One Ipswich Town it will be the club's first victory against a team of such high standing for 51 years. That was 4-3 over Aldershot in Round Two of the FA Cup.
Ipswich, challenging near the top of League One and with a 2-0 away win at Exeter coming in to this cup tie, is the biggest club the Bucks have met in competitive action. The Tractor Boys from Suffolk won the FA Cup in season 1977/78, beating Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley when capacity at the iconic stadium was 100,000. Bobby Robson was manager that day. Later, he became Sir Bobby for his contribution to football and another Ipswich knight was Alf Ramsey, who moved from being their First Division winning manager to lead England to World Cup triumph in 1966. Ipswich were English champions in 1961-62, runner-up twice more and EUFA Cup winners in 1980-81.
It will be tough for Buxton when they visit Portman Road on Sunday but team manager Jamie Vermiglio will have them fully ready to go and hundreds of fans have arranged to make the trip and cheer on their local team.
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