After two tough away games, the Martyrs are back at Penydarren Park to face Buxton FC in matchday 36 of the Enterprise National League North. Last time out Paul Michael's side travelled to Leamington. It was a tight encounter, but first half goals from Lewys Twamley and Callum Ryan-Phillips were enough to clinch a crucial 2-1 away victory. Buxton will be looking to return to winning ways as their last fixture saw them host King's Lynn Town FC and 'The Bucks' were defeated 2-1 on the night. That result now sees them sit in 14th place in the National League North on 42 points.

Previous Encounters:

The Martyrs have faced 'The Bucks' on two different occasions in recent history. The first clash between the sides came in the FA Cup First Round Proper in 2022 which unfortunately saw the Martyrs face defeat at the 'Silverlands Stadium'. However, the most recent fixture between Merthyr and Buxton came during the first half of this season. Paul Michael's side were victorious on the day as two first half goals from Lewys Twamley and Cole Jarvis were enough for a 2-1 win despite a late scare from the hosts after an 87th minute goal from Tate Campbell.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF

Manager | John McGrath

Manager John McGrath joined Buxton FC in May 2024 following a 14th place finish in the 2023/24 season. In McGrath's first season in charge at Buxton, he guided them to a playoff place and a 7th place finish. However, 'The Bucks' fell short in the playoffs at the first hurdle after an extra time 2-1 defeat away at Chester. McGrath started his playing career at Belvedere in 1996 until he signed for Aston Villa in 1999 after a successful two-week trial. In his 4-year spell at Aston Villa McGrath only made 2 senior appearances which saw him sign for Dagenham & Redbridge on loan in 2002 where he made 22 appearances, scoring 2 goals from midfield. Following the conclusion of his loan spell at Dagenham & Redbridge, McGrath made a permanent move to Football League side Doncaster Rovers. He went on to make 14 appearances for Doncaster as they won the Third Division Title. Then in 2004, he spent 2 months on loan at Shrewsbury Town while making 8 appearances before signing for Kidderminster Harriers in January 2005 but was released in May 2005. After trials with York City, Darlington, Limerick and Scunthorpe United, John McGrath joined hometown club Limerick who played in the League of Ireland First Division for the remainder of the 04/05 season. He left Limerick to make a return to England with Conference South (National League South) side Weymouth in January 2006. He made 13 appearances and scored 3 goals as Weymouth lifted the Conference South Division. Despite only joining Weymouth in January 2006, McGrath joined Conference National (National League) side Tamworth in July 2006. In the 2006/07 season McGrath made 42 appearances alongside scoring 3 goals. Following Tamworth's relegation in the 2006/07 season, John McGrath joined local rivals Burton Albion and in his first season he made the playoffs after playing 60 games and scoring 9 goals. John McGrath stayed at Burton from 2007 until 2013 which saw him make 215 games in total while scoring 14 goals. In 2013 McGrath made the loan move to York City but he only made 9 appearances for the club without scoring a goal. After the end of his loan move at York City, McGrath made the permanent switch to Alfreton Town where he spent one year, making 23 appearances before making one final move in his playing career in 2015 which saw him sign for Mickleover. McGrath's coaching career started at Mickleover as he became player-coach in 2016, and he stayed in this role at Mickleover until 2022 before being appointed as the First Team Manager at the club where he stayed until making the move to Buxton FC in 2024.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASON SO FAR

Since losing to Merthyr at the 'Silverlands Stadium', Buxton have had a decent league season which started as they bounced back from the defeat by travelling away to Spennymoor Town and picking up a valuable point away from home in a 2-2 draw with thanks to a late equaliser from Tai Sodje. However, the following game saw Buxton host Telford United and 'The Bucks' were defeated 2-0 on the day after a brace from Adan George. The next 3 games saw Buxton go on an excellent run of form picking up 7 points out of a possible 9 against some tough opponents. The start of the run saw John McGrath's side defeat Macclesfield 2-0 away from home, they then followed it up by a 3-1 victory at home against Worksop Town before hosting title fighting South Shields and managing to hold them to a 1-1 draw. Buxton had a slight dip in their form as they lost 2-1 away at Oxford City but they instantly got back on track and thrashed Marine 4-0 before impressively winning 5-1 away from home at Radcliffe. Since their triumph at Radcliffe, Buxton have failed to win another game in a run of form that has seen them go 6 games without a win and only picking up 2 points which were both 0-0 draws against Peterborough Sports and Southport. In their last 2 games before travelling to Penydarren Park, 'The Bucks' have lost 2 consecutive games. The first of these defeats came against promotion chasing AFC Fylde in a 3-0 lost. John McGrath's side failed to bounce back in their midweek fixture as they hosted King's Lynn Town and lost 2-1 which now sees them sit in 14th position. The top goal scorer for Buxton FC so far this league season is attacker Tai Sodje who has scored 11 goals so far, this National League North season.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/26 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Joe Young, Paul Cooper, Logan Melville

Defenders | Harry Balfe, Will Flint, George Ward, Kieran Burton, Zaine Francis-Angol, Deniche Hill, Max Bardell, Sam Robinson

Midfielders | Archie Bingham, Cian Coleman, Saul Cullen, Connor Kirby, Xander McBurnie, Will Trueman, Ethan Wenayeto, Zak Gilsenan, Ashton Mee

Attackers | Luke Brennan, Ryan McLean, Connor Douglas, Joey Dawson, Johnny Johnston, Ryan Viggars, Samuel Tomlinson, Tai Sodje

Match Details:

Date | Saturday 28th February 2026

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Time | 15:00

Stadium | Penydarren Park