Harpenden Town 4 Buntingford Town 0 BUNTINGFORD Town met their match on Saturday when they were hit for four by Harpenden Town of the South Midlands League Division One. Under the guidance of new manager Luke Capron, who moved up from being in charge o

Harpenden Town 4 Buntingford Town 0

BUNTINGFORD Town met their match on Saturday when they were hit for four by Harpenden Town of the South Midlands League Division One.

Under the guidance of new manager Luke Capron, who moved up from being in charge of the reserves, Buntingford battled from the off in this second round Herts FA Senior Centenary Trophy tie, and took the game to their higher level opposition.

Capron said: "I thought we got off to a very good start, and to be honest I thought we were probably the better team in the first half. We saw a lot of the ball and had a number of corners.

"It was just a shame that we didn't take advantage of our possession a bit more, because if we did I think we would have probably got a result."

Buntingford had the best chance to break the early deadlock, when John Bitting's teasing cross found an unmarked Alan Kenny, but he failed to find the back of the Harpenden net.

However, the visitors were dealt a blow when Harpenden took the lead after 30 minutes with Benny Dawes turning in a free-kick from the right.

Gary Christie then went close to a Buntingford equaliser.

But after an impressive first period, Buntingford seemed to run out of steam, as two defensive mistakes proved costly.

Harpenden striker Chris Gregory pounced on the first, before Chris Jones made it 3-0 when he took advantage of another mix-up slotting home from close range.

Richard Taffe completed the proceedings late on with Harpenden's fourth, after another good move through the middle of the park.

Capron said: "In the second half we just came unstuck, and I think that had a lot to do with fitness.

"Harpenden play in a higher league and were fitter and more physical than the teams we are used to playing.

"The team is now made up of reserve team players and it is a big step for them.

"It's been a difficult start and we're currently re-building the side, after the majority of the team moved to Royston.

"We're finding our feet at the minute and it's going to take a bit of time.

"However, I was really pleased with the win against Standon & Puckeridge last week, and despite this defeat, I saw a lot of positives."

Buntingford Town: Keast; Lynch, Chaffey, Fox, Cox; Bitting, Beaumont, Clarke, Sutton; Christie, Kenny. (Sub): Frostick.