BUNTINGFORD TOWN 0 HADLEY 1 (A Wallace) TOWN S hopes of Aubrey Cup glory were dashed at Ware on Monday as they produced a disappointing performance in the final. Hadley finished one place above Paul Attfield s side, but looked the stronger side for long

BUNTINGFORD TOWN 0

HADLEY 1

(A Wallace)

TOWN'S hopes of Aubrey Cup glory were dashed at Ware on Monday as they produced a disappointing performance in the final.

Hadley finished one place above Paul Attfield's side, but looked the stronger side for long periods of the game as Town produced a tired performance.

Many of Attfield's squad have been instrumental in a dominant season in youth football - reaching the FA Youth Cup second round proper, winning their league, and qualifying for at least two cup finals - and their tiredness was clearly shown during this game.

Town started well without creating any chances, but Hadley slowly took control, with Glen Leck and Adam Wallace both going close.

Town keeper Damian Williamson brought off a good save from a long-range Dan Gruar effort before what proved to be the winning goal came in the 24th minute.

A cross from the left saw both the town defence and Williamson caught in no-man's land, and Wallace was on hand to head home from close range.

Hadley, who won the Premier Division last season, remained in control throughout the rest of the half, without ever troubling Williamson, and at half time Attfield rang the changes, bringing on Lee Ridings and Luke Robins in place of Jamie Babbage and George Garner.

But it did little to spark Town into life, with Dave Pearce almost doubling Hadley's lead within two minutes of the restart when he hooked wide.

A Buntingford corner 10 minutes into the second period finally woke them up, and Hadley keeper James Bethall was forced to bring off a fine save from Robbie Wilmott's close range effort following a good Robins cross from the left..

David Cain was lucky not to score an own goal when he needlessly headed a corner just over, and Williamson did well to save Gruar's shot with his legs.

With time running out for Town, Williamson brought off a superb one-handed save from Gruar after a mazy run.

But Buntingford were convinced they should have had a penalty when Bethall flattened Ridings on the edge of the box, but curiously referee Mr Rock waved play on, and their chance of cup glory was gone.

Buntingford: D Williamson, C Simmonds, D Chaffey, D Cain, D Easley, J Babbage (L Ridings), B Lynch (C Smith), G Garner (L Robins), G Christie, R Wilmott, J Bitting. Unused subs: T Jarman, M Roach.