On Saturday, Celtic travel to Derbyshire to face Buxton. Buxton have had an unbeaten start to the season, only dropping points away at FC United, when they drew 1-1 last time out.
This has put them currently top of the table, level on points with South Shields and Whitby Town, though they have been scoring for fun and lead on goal difference.
In the 2019/20 curtailed season, Buxton were hovering around mid-table at the point the season ended, but looked set to climb a little, finishing undefeated in their last seven, with three wins and four draws after a lacklustre start that saw them reach their tenth game before registering a win.
Last season’s even shorter season saw them play eight, losing just once and drawing twice in those games, that left them third.
They have carried that on into this season and have not lost a game with their last defeat at home coming in the 2019/20 curtailed season.
Their only dropped points this season have been away at FC United, a game they drew 1-1.
Their top scorer over the past three seasons has been Diego De Girolamo. He scored 21 and eight goals in the curtailed seasons and has three so far this season. They have scored three goals a game in their wins so far this season, only conceding once at home (to Mickleover).
We only played Buxton at home last season, losing 4-0. Our last two visits were both draws, with our last win being a 2-1 win in a FA Trophy replay.
In nine competitive visits, we have won twice and lost twice, with five draws. The last time Buxton beat us (in a competitive match) on their own patch was in 1989!
In Buxton’s last match, the 3-1 home win over Mickleover, Buxton lined up as:
1. Theo Richardson
2. Matt Curley
3. Nathan Fox
4. Lindon Meikle
5. Josh Granite
6. Ben Turner
7. Jamie Ward
8. Chris Dawson
9. Diego De Girolamo
10. Tom Elliott
11. Warren Clarke
Celtic’s last match was the 2-0 away defeat at Lancaster, in which we lined up as:
1. Giosue Bellagambi
2. Ashley Smith-Brown
3. Stephen Brogan
4. Ioan Evans
5. Kennan Quansah
6. Luke Barlow
7. Charley Doyle
8. Sam Wedgebury
9. Jack Ryan
10. Scott Bakkor
11. Callum Harris
We have a reasonable record at Buxton, hopefully this can continue. Grant Shenton is an injury doubt, but Celtic recruited Huddersfield Town loanee, Giosue Bellagambi who played at Lancaster.
Head towards Glossop on the A57, turning right at the lights toward Glossop to stay on the A57.
AT the double roundabout, turn right onto Primrose Lane towards Chapel-en-le-Frith (A6016).
After a mile turn right onto A624 by O Sole Mio.
After 7 miles, join the A6 in Chapel-en-le-Frith following signs for Buxton.
After 5 1/2 miles, at the roundabout, turn left (exit 1 of 3) to stay on the A6.
At the next roundabout, turn right (exit 3 of 4) onto Dale Road.
Take the next right onto Pevril Road, turn right onto Silverlands, and the ground is on the right.