"Telford preparing for Saturday's big Bucks derby "

Match Date : December 20th, 2025 3:00 pm
Competition : National League North
Ground : Tarmac Silverlands Stadium
Kick Off : 15:00

It’s the Bucks derby this Saturday, when the Bucks of Telford take on their namesakes from Buxton.

Winners of the Northern Premier League in 2021/22, Buxton have established themselves at Step 2, finishing 11th and 14th in their first two campaigns before securing 7th place and playoff place last time out. The Derbyshire club put together a wonderful run off results at the back end of last season to squeak into the final playoff spot on the last day of the season, edging out Curzon Ashton on goal difference alone. But John McGrath’s side went down 2-1 to Chester in the playoff quarter final.

McGrath took the reins at Silverlands in May 2024 following a successful eight-year spell as manager at Derbyshire neighbours Mickleover – McGrath’s last game in charge of Sports being the 2-0 playoff semi final defeat to the Bucks at the SEAH Stadium.

After a mixed start to the last campaign, McGrath’s side came into their own in the new year, as they stormed up the table thanks to a run of 42 points from their final 21 games. And Buxton have made a similarly inconsistent start this time around. A 10-match unbeaten run through September and October has been followed up by a sequence of seven defeats in nine, leaving the Derbyshire side in 14th place on 27 points. McGrath’s side did make it to the FA Cup Second Round, though, before going down 6-2 at Cheltenham last weekend.

Former Telford loanee Joe Young has taken over the gloves for Buxton this season , while tenacious midfielder Connor Kirby captains the side. Up front, Tai Sodje and Luke Brennan have impressed, with both hitting eight league goals so far this year.

It was Brennan’s late goal that gave Buxton a 1-0 win at the SEAH Stadium back in August, which was the Derbyshire outfit’s first win against AFC Telford. Three of the other four meetings between the sides have ended in draws, but the Bucks won on their last visit to Silverlands, running out 2-0 winners in January 2023.

Kevin Wilkin’s men picked up a first away league win of the season at Leamington last Tuesday, extending the Bucks unbeaten run in the league to five. Meanwhile, last Saturday’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Altrincham in the FA Trophy will no doubt have raised Telford spirits heading into the festive period. The two sides currently sit side by side in the table, with Buxton one point and one place higher. So, with the chance to leapfrog their Derbyshire namesakes, the Bucks will be looking to keep their upward momentum rolling this weekend.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

You can purchase tickets online in advance via the Buxton website.

Website: www.buxtonfc.co.uk

Ground Address: Silverlands, Buxton, Derbushire, SK17 6QH