Buntingford Town 3 Bedmond Sports & Social 2 Dave Ryan reports SUPER-SUB Ricky Lawrence made a perfect first team debut for Buntingford as his 64th minute goal gave Town three vital points on Saturday. Lawrence had been on the pitch only six minutes when

Buntingford Town 3 Bedmond Sports & Social 2

Dave Ryan reports

SUPER-SUB Ricky Lawrence made a perfect first team debut for Buntingford as his 64th minute goal gave Town three vital points on Saturday.

Lawrence had been on the pitch only six minutes when his lob from the edge of the box sealed the win.

And after a team performance that was for the most part lacklustre, Town boss Paul Attfield was a relieved man.

"We were fortunate to be only a goal behind at the break after our worst half of football this season," he said.

"The commitment and desire was extremely suspect and we had to address that at half time.

"The second half was completely different and the players did well to sustain some good pressure for long periods and we did well to turn the game around in the end.

"It was good to get the win and to score another three goals".

Attfield had certainly made his feelings known to his side with a half-time blast that could clearly be heard from outside the dressing room.

And he was justified after watching Buntingford start slowly and concede a goal after six minutes.

Visiting striker Jamie May had already had three efforts in as many minutes as Bedmond started strongly.

And it was May who gave them the lead when he was given a free header at the near post from a left-wing cross.

The goal woke the home side up, with Mark Wright wasting a good chance after doing well to hold off a visiting defender.

Town levelled on the 15-minute mark when Jan Stephens' corner from the right was met by a powerful Duncan Easley header at the near post.

That goal seemed to send Town back into the malaise they had opened with, as Bedmond twice went close to regaining the lead before making it 2-1 in the 31st minute.

Although Mark Smith won a tackle in the middle of the pitch, the ball ran kindly for May, who was able to advance 20 yards before slipping the ball wide of Damien Williamson in the home goal.

Attfield's half-time tirade clearly worked, and within four minutes of the restart. Town were back on level terms when a cross-field ball found an unmarked Wright, and while the visiting team appealed for offside, he buried the ball from close range with an angled shot.

The introduction of Lawrence for Mark Smith changed things around as he quickly made his mark with a well-taken effort, and he went close again in the 76th minute with a shot which went just wide after a good flick from Stephens.

Lewis Endacott and Stephens also had good chances to kill the game off, but after five weeks without a home game, Town will be relieved to take the three points and move up to sixth in the table.

Town host strugglers Bushey Rangers on Saturday, kick off 2pm.

Buntingford: D Williamson, M Roach, D Chaffey, D Cain, D Easley (G Clarke), W Turl (J Babbage), M Turl (R Lawrence), M Wright, M Turl, L Endacott, J Stephens.