Buntingford claim Crows’ scalp after thrilling cup tie

Royston Town Youth 2

Buntingford Town 3 (aet)

THESE two local rivals put on a cracking cup tie for the large crowd on with Buntingford deservedly progressing to the first round of the Ridgeons Youth League Cup.

They now have a home tie with Mildenhall Town, but they were kept on their toes throughout the game by a hard working home side.

The game was played at a terrific pace throughout the duration of normal play and extra-time but it was a match that Buntingford could have made so much easier for themselves if they had taken a few of the many chances they created.

Luke Robins had the ball in the net within two minutes but it was a disallowed for a foul in the build up and a minute later Buntingford keeper Robbie Cook was making a fine block with his legs for his only save in the first half.

The home side made a series of fine blocks and diving saves to deny the visitors, with Ashley Townsend (twice) and Lewis Endacott both hitting the woodwork.

Townsend did give Buntingford the lead in the 17th minute when he converted Tom Randall's through ball but the visiting side would have been disappointed to only have the one goal lead at the interval.

The opening stages of the second half continued in the same manner with Townsend again hitting a post with a looping header.

Luke Robins, Danny Apostolos, Jamie Morriss, Sam Chester, Lewis Endacott and Townsend all had good chances to convert a second goal but the ball would just not go in the goal.

Finally on 63 minutes the lead was doubled by Sam Chester when he slid in Lewis Endacott's cross from close range.

The game then became very stretched and open with Buntingford becoming increasingly careless in possession of the ball and with the home side continuing to show great character to level the score before full time.

They reduced the lead after 78 minutes when a forward converted after beating the offside trap, and a final minute mistake from Buntingford keeper Cook allowed the home forward to convert easily to equalise and send the game into extra-time.

What turned out to be the winning goal came just two minutes into the extra period when Endacott rose to head in Robins' excellent corner from close range.

Buntingford continued to control the first period with again Robins, Townsend and Apostolos missing chances and Tom Randall hit a fantastic 40 yard volley against the home crossbar, but no more goals were added.

The home side had better moments in the second period with some good aerial pressure with Buntingford defending extremely well.

The visitors again had a couple of opportunities to convert on the break but did not and in the last minute Robbie Cook turned a header onto the crossbar to bring the curtain down on a tense but very entertaining game.

Buntingford boss Paul Attfield commented: "Both sides should be commended for the effort shown which was relentless throughout.

Our problem was that we didn't kill the game off at the right time from the many chances we created.

Some of our finishing was unlucky and some careless and because of that Royston must have felt they were always in the match.

I also thought we defended extremely well for long periods which, for me, was the biggest plus factor from the game".