Buxton run out comfortable 5-0 winners in the Cawarden Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup final against Heanor Town, in front of 1,459 spectators.

The tone of the contest was set in the early stages, Buxton dominating the possession and carving out the better opportunities. With Heanor sitting back and looking for balls in behind to the willing runners Sacha Markelic and Keaton August.

After threatening on numerous occasions, and shortly after stinging the gloves of Louis Kinnerley in the Heanor goal, Buxton would take the lead through Diego De Girolamo. The forward turning well on the edge of the box before firing a low left footed strike into the bottom right corner on the half an hour mark.

Winger Dylan Mottley-Henry found himself in the right place at the right time to tap home a rebound following an effort from a Buxton free-kick to double their advantage going into the break.

Eight minutes into the second half, an inch perfect pass from Tommy Elliott on the counter allowed De Girolamo to grab his second of the game, poking through the legs of the onrushing Kinnerley.

Heanor’s big chance of the half came on the break, after a slip on the ball freed Keaton August down the right flank. However, the winger was unable to get a firm connection on his effort and forced a block from a Buxton defender.

Three substitutes combined for Buxton’s fourth of the final, Eoin McKeown broke away down the right before rolling across the six-yard box for Jake Wright who rolled his initial effort straight at Kinnerley, however Max Brogan arrived seconds later to smash into the side netting.

In the final moments, a smart give and go between Brogan and Wright left the former one on one with Kinnerley, Brogan opting to round the keeper and roll into the back of the net despite the desperate attempts of Charlie Jemson to hook the ball off the line.

Buxton were thoroughly deserving of the win, putting together a commanding performance in the final. Commiserations to Heanor Town who were the underdogs on the night and never once showed signs of giving up. Their historic cup run will be remembered for many years by the Lions faithful.

This cup win for the Bucks makes them the most successful side in the competitions history with 12 cup wins to their name.

Written by Jack Lincoln

Photography by Alexandra Johnson