Grantham Town 0 Buntingford Town Youth 2 GOALS from Ashley Townsend and Gary Christie sent Town into the Ridgeons League Cup semi-finals. The immaculate playing surface was a joy for Buntingford, who had no fewer than five absentees through injury, but t

Grantham Town 0 Buntingford Town Youth 2 GOALS from Ashley Townsend and Gary Christie sent Town into the Ridgeons League Cup semi-finals. The immaculate playing surface was a joy for Buntingford, who had no fewer than five absentees through injury, but the depth in the squad was there to be seen with Paul Attfield still able to field a very strong team. With Town's midweek youth side having been out of action for three weeks, the visitors looked very lacklustre, and frequently gave away the ball while attacking. This meant the home side were able to take the initiative, but Buntingford defended well, and the hosts created extremely little in and around the box. Their best opportunity of the half arrived after 34 minutes, when a forward reacted quickest to a long ball but 14-year-old keeper Jordan Gibson rushed from his line and blocked the shot with extreme confidence. Robbie Wilmott lobbed just over with the goal unattended after a goalkeeping error, and Luke Robins skied a shot when well-placed and free just outside the area, but despite this the first half was best forgotten. Whatever was said at half-time certainly had the desired effect, with Buntingford looking a completely different outfit throughout the second half and playing the kind of football they have been accustomed to. Christie had the first chance after 51 minutes when he lobbed well over the bar when through on goal. But he made amends just four minutes later when a fine run and cross from Robins found his head, and his well-placed glance was too good for the keeper. David Cain then had a double effort saved by the keeper from a Robins corner. And Tom Malins also had a good chance well saved before the second goal after 69 minutes. Malins' right-wing cross was volleyed in by Townsend from eight yards after he had just come on as substitute. Lively 16-year-old Jamie Morriss then brought a brilliant save from the home keeper when through on goal, and Morriss and Phil Fisher also saw shots go just over, as well as Fisher also testing the home keeper's ability.