Buntingford Town 2 Bushey Rangers 3 BUNTINGFORD boss Paul Attfield said his side deserved to lose on Saturday with a last-minute strike condemning them to an opening day defeat. Attfield said: Now we have become a respected side, the players need to le

Buntingford Town 2

Bushey Rangers 3

BUNTINGFORD boss Paul Attfield said his side deserved to lose on Saturday with a last-minute strike condemning them to an opening day defeat.

Attfield said: "Now we have become a respected side, the players need to learn that the other teams will try even harder to beat us and I don't think that they liked that idea today.

"In the first half we were too lazy, and fortunate to be only one goal down.

"Perhaps in the last 20 minutes we could have won the game, but overall I think we deserved to lose."

The visitors were lively and worked tirelessly throughout, and despite having to withstand a late Buntingford onslaught were worthy winners over the 90 minutes.

Town kicked off in a spirited mood with some decent possession, but lacked the cutting edge in the last third.

The visitors created the better chances in and around the box, although Town keeper Damion Williamson looked in complete control.

That was until 10 minutes before the break when a simple cross from the right was slid home by Paul Leslie.

Will Turl went close for Town moments later with a close-range header.

Buntingford were on level terms within five minutes of the restart, when a Tom Malins corner was headed home by Jamie Babbage.

However, instead of pushing on, the home side immediately sat back and conceded another three minutes later when a quick break saw Leslie felled in the box and Dean Ryan slotting in the resulting kick.

Attfield reshuffled his pack and for the final 25 minutes Town finally gained the upper hand.

And when Malins produced a moment of magic with a 25-yard free-kick, the game seemed to be swinging Town's way with 10 minutes on the clock.

Lewis Endacott had a fierce drive well blocked, and Malins hit a close range strike against the outside of the post as Buntingford bombarded the Rangers box.

However, Town were caught napping in the dying moments when a left-wing cross eluded the defence to find Leslie 18 yards out, with the striker doing the rest and finding the corner of the net to seal the three points.

Buntingford Town: Williamson; Endacott, M Babbage, Cain, J Babbage; Beaumont, Smith (Nichols), Malins, Christie (Young); Turl, Fisher (Chaffey)