BUNTINGFORD Town s youth side made up for last week s county cup disappointment by clinching the Eastern Youth League Western Division title with three wins in as many days. Needing two victories from the three games Town travelled to basement side Eynesb

BUNTINGFORD Town's youth side made up for last week's county cup disappointment by clinching the Eastern Youth League Western Division title with three wins in as many days.

Needing two victories from the three games Town travelled to basement side Eynesbury Rovers first on Tuesday evening and left with an emphatic 9-0 victory. The whole performance showed no after effects of the cup final loss against Borehamwood, with some fine football and commitment from the team in a game they dominated from first whistle to last.

The only surprising thing was it took nearly 25 minutes to open the scoring but by half time the lead was 4-0 and the avalanche continued in the second half.

Phil Fisher and Gary Christie each scored a brace with Will Turl, David Cain, Luke Robins, Dean Chaffey and Jake Tyler also on target.

The following evening, needing a win to clinch the title, Town faced nearest rivals and Paul Attfield's previous club Royston Town and started nervously.

Greg Jackson, twice, and Dalton O'Brien had early chances to give Royston a lead but were made to pay for these misses as Buntingford gradually eased their way into the game.

A crucial three-goal burst in six first-half minutes towards the interval gave the home side a comfortable lead which they never looked like relinquishing.

They dominated the second half, adding another three goals to complete a 6-0 victory to clinch the title.

Ashley Townsend led the way with a hat-trick, while Robbie Wilmott added two and Fisher was again on target.

The following evening Attfield took a younger squad for a tough game at St Ives Town in what turned out to be an entertaining game on a very rough, bobbly pitch. Fisher and Tim Jarman gave Buntingford a two-goal cushion before defensive mistakes either side of the interval brought the home side on level terms.

Despite their fatigue, Buntingford found an extra gear in the later stages of the game with Fisher hitting the crossbar before goals from Ashley Townsend and a cracking 20-yard thunderbolt from Jarman in the last eight minutes gave Buntingford a 4-2 victory and completed three wins in their three matches to win the league by four points.

After winning their division Town will now compete against the other divisional winners for the chance to win the overall championship, the Roseberry Cup.

They were due to travel to Southern Division winners Haverhill Rovers last night, and are also in action tonight when they visit Waltham Abbey in the Eastern Junior Plate semi-final.

On Tuesday evening they travel to Braintree Town to face Woodbridge Town in the league cup final, kick off 7.45pm.

Boss Attfield was full of praise for his side: "What the players have produced physically and mentally in such a short period since a disappointing cup final defeat is quite amazing" he said.

"The character shown having to play three games in 72 hours doesn't really surprise me though because they have shown this desire all season and despite being 21 points behind Stotfold at one point as well makes the achievement even more special.

"The league was the main objective of the season but still being involved in three cup competitions sets everything up for a really special season."

Buntingford: Stuart McHale, Jordan Gibson, Jake Tyler, Mark Roach, Dean Chaffey, Carl Simmonds, Luke Jones, David Cain, Angelo Wallace, Matt Sockalingum, John Bitting, Will Turl, Luke Robins, Tim Jarman, Tom Malins, Ashley Townsend, Gary Christie, Robbie Wilmott, Phil Fisher, Sam Leader, Jamie Morriss