Just two days after returning from the mini pre-season tour of Northern Ireland the Silkmen are on their travels again this evening, making the relatively short trip over the Cat and Fiddle to Buxton.

If you have not visited Silverlands before then it is well worth a visit if only for that fact that at 1000 feet above sea level, the ground is the highest within the Pyramid of soccer - and substantially higher than the highest Football League ground (The Hawthorns). A grade "A" ground, the Main Stand has seats for 500 and the 2 covered terraces provide accommodation for a total of 2,000.

The team are about to embark on another campaign in the Unibond Premier League under the leadership of manager John Reed and looking to better their 5th place finish of last season.

With games coming thick and fast Silkmen boss Keith Alexander was again looking to swap things around a bit as he continues to shape his thoughts in preparation for our visit to Shrewsbury Town and the start of the 2008/09 Coca-Cola League Two campaign.

"Most of the squad will be travelling over to Buxton this evening," explained the gaffer. "We didn't get them in for training today so it will be a good little run out tonight. These games are all about learning lessons. We've tried various formations so far and it has helped me greatly as when I arrived, with only 12 games left, I didn't really have chance to experiment or get to know the players that well."

"I am still looking to strengthen the squad where I can and I may well use this evening's game to take a look at a few triallists. It will be then a case of seeing how they do and if they impress making sure any deal we put to them is right for the player and the club."

The game at Silverlands kicks-off at 7.30pm and admission is £5 adults and £2.50 concessions.

Directions to Silverlands (from Buxton FC website)

- Enter Buxton on the A53

- At the junction with B5059 (edge of Buxton). At traffic signals forward (signposted Town Centre)

- At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto The Quadrant - A515

- Proceed through lights and head towards Buxton market.

- Turn left on Buxton Market at Joe Royle's shop.

- Turn left onto Concert Place then Hardwick Square South.

- Continue forward onto Silverlands. Ground on right after 400 metres.