Premier Division Round-up: Diego De Girolamo extends Buxton's lead at the top to 4 points

With South Shields breathing down their necks, the Bucks needed all three points to maintain their lead at the top of the table.

They headed into the tie as favourites; a home draw with the added advantage of an 8 game unbeaten streak, in which they had claimed 7 victories from. But their opponents, Radcliffe, were coming into the game with confidence, following a 3-0 win against Basford in the weekend prior.

But it would be a day for Buxton’s star-man to drive them over the line, with Diego De Girolamo claiming a first half hat-trick to sink the visitors, taking his goal scoring tally for the season up to 16.

Speaking on Buxton’s website following their win, manager Steve Cunningham praised his side for their professional performance: “We started off like a train, played impressive stuff and built a good lead with Diego's strikes, two of them fantastic long-range rocket shots.

“Jamie Ward is our usual penalty taker, but after he was brought down in the box he passed the ball to Diego to notch up his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

Cunningham conceded that his team let their foot off of the gas after the interval but held firm to see out an impressive win, "Second half was a bit of a damp squib but very comfortable for us, three more points are in the bag and we've kept another clean sheet. Teams have found it really hard to score against us in recent games.

"The players were together from start to finish. We're in a great place but the hard work is by the lads, during training and when they put their bodies on the line in matches. We had another 700-plus attendance and the support from the fans is a big bonus.”

Meanwhile, second placed South Shields were held to their second consecutive draw on the road, with Basford United’s Mitchell Tait equalling the scoreline just 14 minutes before the end after Darius Osei fired the Mariners in front in the first-half.

South Shields have now claimed just two points from their last five away fixtures and manager Kevin Phillips says that his side cannot afford to drop too many more points going into the final few games, “Everyone understands that we can’t afford to drop too many more points.

“Buxton are in fine form but they will drop points from now till the end of the season, so we can only affect what’s in front of us and that is Tuesday night away at Lancaster.”
Matlock’s poor run of form continued as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Atherton Collieries, following a very late goal from Aaron Smith, who found the net in the 89th minute. The loss means that Matlock have only won once in their last seven outings, claiming just seven points, while the victory for the Colls is their first double consecutive win streak since the middle of December.

In the final two remaining play-off positions, Warrington Town have made ground upon Scarborough who remain in fourth place. The Yellows travelled to Stalybridge, coming away from Bower Fold with a 3-0 victory and all three points thanks to a Matt Grivosti brace and a Luke Duffy strike.

Scarborough, meanwhile, snatched a late point from the jaws of defeat at home to Stafford Rangers, ensuring that the Seadogs extended their unbeaten run to 12 games. Kieran Weledji found the net in injury time, cancelling out Jake Charles’ goal in the first-half.

Whitby Town are keeping up the pressure on the Yellows as they continue to fight for a spot in the play-offs; the Blues faced lowly Witton Albion away from home, and with the Cheshire side battling to stave off relegation, they held off Whitby well into the second-half before two quick goals from the league’s top goalscorer, Jacob Hazel and Josh McDonald saw the game end 2-0 to Whitby, who are now three points behind Warrington Town.

FC United’s woes continued as they fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Nantwich Town, thanks to goals from Jacob Bickerstaffe and Akiel Raffie. FC United have not recorded a win since February 8, while the win for the Dabbers is their fourth out of the last five fixtures, moving them nine points clear of the drop zone.

Elsewhere, Bamber Bridge broke their 8 game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over bottom of the table Grantham Town, keeping them just three points behind Whitby, while the Gingerbreads recorded their twentieth loss of the season.

Morpeth are now on a two-game unbeaten run after an Andrew Johnson goal and Liam Henderson brace gave the Highwaymen a 3-1 victory over Mickleover.

Ashton United left it late to continue their fantastic run of form, extending their unbeaten run to five games with a win against Gainsborough Trinity. The Robins have now claimed 13 points from their last five outings, moving them within four points of Morpeth Town who sit in 10th place.

Hyde United moved seven points clear from the relegation zone despite being held to a 0-0 stalemate away at Lancaster City, while the Dolly Blues claimed their first point in four games.

Photo credit: Richard Parkes