DE GIROLAMOS HIT THE HEIGHTS IN PEAK CUP WIN

BUXTON 5 GLOSSOP NORTH END 0
HIGH PEAK CUP FINAL @ SILVERLANDS
27 JULY 2019 --- 3PM
Buxton claimed the High Peak Cup and local bragging rights with a comprehensive victory over local rivals Glossop North End with thanks to a thorough performance aided by a brace for Nico and a second half goal from Diego De Girolamo that put the result beyond doubt.

BUXTON FC

Heavy, heavy rain was the order of the day and once again with the trains still recovering from the red hot weather plus industrial action the option to re visit one of the elegant old ladies of football Silverlands was undertaken.  Trips to Buxton a few years back were a regular occurrence and the chance for footy was undertaken too, but it now must be a decade since a visit and with the addition of the new 4g carpet todays fixture would guarantee a game, especially with games at Worksop and Renishaw falling foul to the downpour.
Departure from spire town now sees a required guaranteed connection at Baslow onto the Buxton service and those two words are always a worry especially with the Bakewell bound service ten minutes late.  Faith was restored when the bus bound to the High Peak capital was waiting and we set off on a picturesque tour of about an hour to the Roman town of Buxton with a chance to relay the old joke, "I believe its a Spa[r] town", "I'm not sure but I've seen a Waitrose".

GASTRO FRY FIRST PORT OF CALL TODAY

Indeed there is a Waitrose the sign that any town or city has made it but sadly the rest of the town centre appears to be suffering much like our other commercial centres with the loss of M and S, Santander who seem more intent on completing massive advertising budgets now to the Geordie lads who must be well loaded already how many branches could have remained open on this budget, and with a few others due to close its a sad loss to the town centre.
Start was at the Eastern end of the town and with umbrella firmly raised as the torrent of wet stuff continued passing The Wye Bridge, one of the smarter Wetherspoon's houses, just beyond under the railway bridge was Gastro Fry formally Bill's.

THE OPERA HOUSE

Some good reviews led me too here from my previous establishment and with trade slow an immediate chips and home made fish cake were sampled underneath the arches by Sylvan Park.  With umbrella buckling under the liquid weight there was time for a new purchase in Spring Gardens and onward towards the Crescent a fantastic architectural achievement now under major lengthy repair and boarded off from the public.  Passing St Anne's Well and visiting the Pump Room the local delicacy was flowing from the tap, indeed it had been interesting to see bottles of Buxton Water stacked high in Smith's in Buxton!  Round the corner from the historic Old Hall Hotel the Opera House a superb building with the Pavilion Gardens and hot house adjacent to the entertainment establishment.

BUXTON ARE OUT BUT THE BLOGGERS FIRMLY UNDER COVER THOUGH

It was all too much the weather for any photos of note and as I departed on the climb to the Market Square the old fact of note became more relevant again that Buxton is the market town that is highest above see level a note that also applies in footballing terms to the club.  Last season Silverlands suffered postponements in the snow often because the roads around the town were blocked or unsafe but hopefully the heavy rain and frost call offs will be a thing of the past.  Remember Park Road in the town once staged Derbyshire County Cricket and had play halted in June 1975 in a game against Lancashire when heavy snow fell!
That's a brief tour of a fascinating town that you need more than one or even two sticks to shake at all the interesting tourist highlights never mind some of the back street buildings and shops that visitors often don't cover.

AFTERNOON PROTECTION LOOKING TOWARDS AXE EDGE IN THE RAINY MIST

Upon arrival at Silverlands the damp stuff was still falling and entry was quickly achieved with a circuit undertaken before retreating to cover and an afternoon spent with Mr R of the Buxton parish who was able to further educate me on High Peak footy.
As previously mentioned the 4g stuff looks good the only different aspect is the rugby markings with the towns union side sharing the facilities.  The main stand has former Manchester City seats adoring it now and is a excellent viewing facility the far end is uncovered with the side opposite our entrance a shallow full length covered terracing with a scenic row of terrace houses giving way at one end to views towards Axe Edge.  Behind the entrance goal is a deeper main covered terrace with snuggled up to it a rejuvenated bar and the other end academy modern cabins.  Catering facilities are looked after nicely alongside a small club shop that remained closed today, nothing silly in shirts here at Buxton blue home and red away and through the window I peered to view the very smart examples for 19/20 season. 
There was no programme sadly but the home club had posted a team sheet in the bar and it looked a walkover as Glossop had declined to declare a team.

HONESTLY IT WAS RAINING

To the encounter then and three nil to the good by the break did not look good for Glossop Nico De Girolamo headed home after ten minutes and when the visiting keeper and defender got in a mess on 31 minutes there was a goal from Martin Pilkington in his return to the game, always enjoyed his performances previously at Abbey Hey and Ashton and I look forward to see him do well at Buxton.  Just two minutes later the visitors task got even harder when Nico headed in his second and the third for Buxton.
Brotherly intervention within five minutes of the second half when Diego headed in and effectively ended the contest with a fourth and Brad Roscoe put the icing on the cake with seventeen minutes remaining when his header made it five.
Glossop looked shell shocked and out of this game from early on and in terrible conditions were more than glad when referee Roberts blew the final whistle.  Even though there is only a leagues difference Buxton looked very good on todays showing but of course that will depend on where Glossop are at in their pre season development but it could be a long season.

PILKINGTON [RIGHT] RECEIVES THE CONGRATULATIONS FOR HIS GOAL

There was no cup presentation so whether there is one or I guess everybody wanted to get out of the constant downpour nevertheless Buxton claimed their first silverware alongside The I Don't Do Pre Season Friendlies Cup as this was also the final of this prestigious competition.  It is though a badly glazed cup at the back of the cupboard when I can find it so it may not be required for the Silverlands trophy cabinet.

GOAL NUMBER THREE DID I MENTION ITS RAINING

With half an hour to play with before the direct return bus, although a route number change was required in Tideswell, there was time for a few hoppers delights from the local shop on the Market Square before the stripey boys vehicle whisked us away back to spire town just before 7pm from another entertaining pre season fixture.