Grantham slipped to their sixth successive defeat of 2016 as they went down 3-0 at Buxton. On a freezing cold day there was little to warm the faithful Gingerbread fans who had made the trip to Buxton.

Grantham introduced new signings Stefan Galinski and Grant Ryan to the starting line up with on loan Nottingham Forest youngster Dylan Burns starting on the bench. Rhys Lewis was unavailable for the game and Ellis Storey dropped to the bench.

After a bright start with both Jamie McGhee and Michael Emmott getting balls into the Buxton area Grantham fell behind after just 5 minutes. Buxton’s Alistair Taylor found space in the box when Grantham failed to close him down and when he delivered the ball it was touched home from close range by Alex Wiles. Grantham had a spell of pressure with Emmott twice bringing saves from Buxton keeper Miles Wright. Grantham forced the game’s first corner on 10 minutes and when Meadows delivered the corner Miles missed the ball but it was hacked away before Grantham could get to the loose ball. Miles was in action again a minute later when he did well to punch clear a deep Purcicoe cross. Grantham fell a further goal behind on 14 minutes when Buxton played a ball down their left flank which held up on the heavy surface. Defender Jamie Green ran onto the ball and crashed a shot past Jake Turner and in at the far post to but Buxton two up somewhat against the run of play at this stage. McGhee tried his luck from 35 yards but Miles saved comfortably as Grantham tried to get back into the game. Buxton began to push forward and had their appeals for a penalty waived aside by referee Mr Donohue on 22 minutes. Turner was called into action on 26 minutes saving well at his near post from a shot by Ash Worsfold at the expense of a corner. Grantham were struggling in the heavy conditions and suffered a further blow on 39 minutes when Sam Purcicoe had to leave the field with a foot injury and they fell a further goal behind before Ellis Storey could come on to replace him. When the ball was played in to the Grantham box Worsfold was unmarked and was able to pick his spot to put Buxton three up. Buxton were well on top for the remainder of the half with Turner saving with his legs, Danny Meadows clearing off the line and in time added Turner again saving well at his near post from Brad Barraclough after good work from Joel Bembo-Leta.

Grantham began the second half on the attack with Ellis Storey shooting wide in the opening minutes but on 49 minutes Buxton went close when Grantham failed to clear the ball and after a goalmouth scramble Michael Hollingsworth was eventually able to hack the ball clear. Buxton forced the first corner of the half on 51 minutes when Storey headed out a dangerous cross. Buxton were now comfortably on top and Barraclough threatened again on 55 minutes but was crowded out in the box. Grantham introduced Lee Shaw for Grant Ryan on the hour and Dylan Burns for Jamie McGhee on 64 minutes. Burns was brought down on the edge of the Buxton area on 66 minutes but Emmott’s free kick failed to clear the Buxton defensive wall. Grantham had a spell of pressure with Burns shooting at the Buxton keeper, Ben Saunders turning well in the box but his final shot was again straight at the keeper. Lee Shaw saw his shot hacked away by Bembo – Leta and Hollingsworth’s 35 yard effort was blocked by a defender as Grantham tried to salvage something from the game. Buxton forced 3 successive corners before the game ended with Ben Saunders twice going close and Dylan Burns screwing his shot wide for Grantham.

Grantham
J Turner, S Purcicoe (E Storey 40), M Emmott, M Hollingsworth, S Galinski, L Carr, D Meadows, J McGhee (D Burns 64), G Ryan (L Shaw 60), B Saunders, B Harris
Subs not used S Bilyk, R Dearle

Buxton
M Wright, J Bembo–Leta, J Green, R Ravenhill, S Harris, G Young, A Taylor (N Doran 55), A Wiles, B Barraclough, A Worsfold (F Bembo-Leta 77), A Bearbury,
Subs not used G Belezika, G Grayson, T Ryan

Referee Mr M Donohue

Red cards 0
Yellow cards – Grantham 2 Buxton 1

Free kicks conceded – Grantham 8 Buxton 4

Corner count – Grantham 2 Buxton 8

Attendance 233