McIntosh: Hardy is simply the best

Buxton boss Martin McIntosh is backing Liam Hardy to be the top striker in the EVO-STIK League.

McIntosh hailed the 27-year-old as the best forward outside of National League North on Tuesday after his hat-trick at Ashton United on Bank Holiday Monday propelled the Bucks to a 4-1 win in the EVO-STIK League's top flight.

His goals took his tally to six so far and McIntosh told The Derbyshire Times he is convinced the forward can continue to lead the top flight's goal-scoring charts by building on his prolific record in recent seasons.

The Bucks boss said: “He’s head and shoulders for me the best striker in the league. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. I think had he played the first two games for us, based on what he has done since he has started, we’d be in the top three or four.

Award-winner: Hardy with his 2014-15 'Golden Boot'

Award-winner: Hardy with his 2014-15 'Golden Boot'

“He had four chances yesterday and he scored three. He’s prolific and I don’t think anyone could argue against him being the best in the league. We lost Brad Grayson, he decided to go to Mickleover, and we knew it wasn’t going to be a problem because we knew we had Liam back.”

After forging his reputation as a goalscorer at Armthorpe in the Northern Counties East League and Harrogate Town, Hardy bagged a total of 57 goals in 85 games for the Bucks in two years at Silverlands before leaving for Darlington 1883 in February 2016.

Images courtesy of @Buxton_FC/Twitter

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