Buntingford Town Youth 2 Stotfold Youth 1 THE only two teams with 100 percent Ridgeons Youth League records met for the first time this season in the Ridgeons League on Monday, with Town deservedly running out winners to take the three much needed point

Buntingford Town Youth 2 Stotfold Youth 1 THE only two teams with 100 percent Ridgeons Youth League records met for the first time this season in the Ridgeons League on Monday, with Town deservedly running out winners to take the three much needed points. With the Norton Road pitch surviving a pre match pitch inspection by referee Clive Batchelor, both teams should be commended for their efforts in difficult conditions, but in the end the greater collective work ethic of the Town team shone through, not for the first time this season and throughout the game they certainly created the more clearer scoring chances. The first half was a pretty even affair with both defences organised enough to maintain the advances of their attacking counterparts but there were chances created mainly for the home side in the opening half an hour. John Bitting had a one-on-one with the Stotfold keeper but had to check his advance when the ball held up on the pitch and the danger was averted, Gary Christie's fine run down the right was matched by the quality cross which just eluded the right foot of Ashley Townsend when any touch would have certainly found the net. Townsend returned the complement crossing for Christie to cannon a shot of a Stotfold defender's shin with the goal gapping and a Christie one on one was again thwarted by the pitch and the mediocre shot did not trouble the Stotfold keeper. For all those chances it was the lively Stotfold forward David Iwediuno who gave his team the lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute when he was allowed to cut into the box from the right, beating a couple of lunging challenges and slotteded past the exposed Steve Martiniussen with his left foot from 10 yards. To Stotfold's credit they took the initiative, took complete control of the remainder of the half and probably should have extended their lead. Some desperate and scrappy defending in and around the six yard box on three occasions from Town thwarted some neat approach play and on a couple of occasions a final pass just lacked the quality to create good opportunities for the visiting team with Town happy to hear the half time whistle. Boss Paul Attfield would definately have wanted more from his team and he got it in the second half as Town dominated long periods with more vigour in their work rate and better composure when in possession of the ball. On 72 minutes substitute Robbie Wilmott latched onto a loose ball 35 yards out, advanced on goal with electric pace and angled a 15 yard drive across the keeper and into the far right corner. Six minutes later he received an exquisite Gary Christie through ball, timing his run to perfection. The pace was unstoppable and the clinical 12 yard finish past the advancing keeper sublime. Stotfold, desperate to get back in the game, played more players up top but Town dealt with any advances very well and created more chances themselves. Dean Chaffey had a close range header superbly tipped over, Tom Malins had a tight one on one from a difficult angle that just found the side netting and Will Turl had two headers from set plays just miss the target. Halstead Town Youth 1 Buntingford Town 6 HAVING played Halstead at the beginning of their impressive FA Youth Cup run which turned out to be an entertaining fixture, another close game was anticipated but a ruthless performance gave Buntingford a very deserved final scoreline. Paul Attfield gave debuts to 14-year old goalkeeper Jordan Gibson and 16 yard-old Jamie Morriss who both excelled in their first games with the foundations for victory being built on a first minute strike by Tom Malins. There was only 45 seconds on the watch when Luke Robins chipped in a ball to Sam Leader's feet and the striker laid a deft ball for Malins to thump home from 20 yards. Halstead then had a couple of excellent chances when they hit the crossbar and missed a one on one chance but these turned out to be their only clear opportunities as Buntingford dominated proceedings. On 25 minutes Sam Leader headed home Malin's free kick and the same player added a third just before half time when he reacted quickest around the six yard box from another free kick to steer home. Halstead showed more vigour during the opening stages of the second half but Buntingford's defensive organisataion was too solid to breach and very gradually they gained continued control to create many chances. Jamie Morriss's free kick was headed in by Will Turl on 55 minutes before Halstead scored their consolation just 90 seconds later with a thumping 20 yard strike but Turl again headed a free kick from Malins on 62 minutes for a fifth. Jamie Morriss completed the scoring on 81minutes when he met Malin's cross with a thumping 10 yard drive into the top corner. Ash Townsend, Turl, Morriss and Leader all had shots just clear the cross bar before the end that could have added to the emphatic scoreline.