Barwell made the trip to the Derbyshire Dales to visit National League North side Buxton, a team the Canaries would be familiar with after many years of playing each other in the Northern Premier division of Step 3. Barwell were in dreamland after just 2 minutes, an Ethan Hill free kick into the box not dealt with properly by Buxton, allowed a second cross to be put into the area, eventually being turned into the Buxton goal by a defender, Ethan Mann the culprit. Buxton sprung into action after the goal and should have done better with the chance they created in the 12th minute, their striker in acres of space on the edge of the Barwell box but he sliced his effort well wide of the post. They came close again after 16 minutes, a dangerous free kick called Will Highland into action, getting down low to his left to push away the initial effort, then back to his feet quickly to smother the rebound. Highland was then called into action again in the 39th minute, a brilliant bit of keeping, a diving header to clear a very dangerous looking through ball to keep the Barwell defence watertight under some pressure from the home side. Barwell would relieve some of the pressure by going 2-0 up in the 41st minute, an Ethan Hill corner looping over everyone in the box and into the far corner, no idea if he meant it, but he’ll certainly be pleased with it nonetheless.

Half-Time: Buxton 0-2 Barwell

Buxton came out for the second half all guns blazing and placed the Barwell backline under immediate stress, but they were kept at bay during their first real chance of the second 45 in the 52nd minute, Highland with a strong hand to deny the one on one opportunity, combined with an Isaiah Osbourne headed clearance to thwart any chance of a rebound. Barwell picked up their first booking in the 54th minute, Deen Master cautioned for a shirt pull in the middle of the pitch. Buxton would get their breakthrough in the 57th minute, Ben Andreucci slotting past Highland after some nice passing build-up. A second booking was shown to a Barwell player in the 67th minute, Jiah Medrano picking up a yellow card for blocking a free kick. The hosts would be awarded a penalty a minute later, their striker attempting to go around Highland who the referee deemed to pull down the attacker, and therefore pointed to the spot. Diego De Girolamo would step up and convert the spot kick, sending Highland the wrong way. Barwell made their first change after the goal, Medrano replaced by new signing Koby Arthur. The equaliser sparked some life into the Barwell attack, Deen Master finding space to shoot in the 73rd minute but his fierce shot was pushed to safety by the home goalie. Barwell made their second and third changes in the 76th and 80th minutes respectively, Kieron Berry replaced by Jack Rogers and then Master subbed off in place of Leroy Lita. A final Barwell change was made in the 85th minute as Malakai Reeve replaced Olly Brown-Hill. 6 additional minutes came and went with some pressure from both sides going forward but neither could find the winner and we will head to a replay at Barwell’s Kirkby Road on Monday 16th September.
Full-Time: Buxton 2-2 Barwell