Town forced to settle for share of the spoils

BUNTINGFORD Town were held to a 1-1 draw at Hertford Heath on Saturday (December 16).

Dean Chaffey scored Town's only goal in another hard-fought encounter.

The points have given Paul Attfield's side a chance to creep back up the table.

Buntingford can claim more points on Saturday when they travel to mid-table Codicote.

- Buntingford Town Reserves picked up three points with a 5-3 win at Buckhurst Hill Reserves.

Royston Town Reserves 2 London Colney Reserves 0

TOWN produced another extremely positive showing to take all three points from their high flying opponents at Garden Walk.

Starting by far the stronger, Royston could have had the game wrapped up in the opening 20 minutes, but failed to convert their chances.

Constantly causing problems from the flanks, Town took the lead through Lee Bates, who angled a superb shot across the keeper and into the top corner.

At the other end Royston's defensive line again held strong, limiting the visitors to only a couple of half chances.

A tough hard working display from the central midfield unit of Brad Jackson, and man-of-the-match Ben Bowles eliminated the visitors attempts to create anything in the middle of the park.

The second period saw Town maintain their momentum, and following a neat move that resulted in a corner, the cross was tucked away from close range by Craig Parry.

The pace of the returning Adam Stokes caused problems throughout for the visiting defence, as his hard working display never gave them a minutes peace.

The match ended on a sour note, when the referee dismissed two Colney players as their frustrations got the better of them.

Royston: S Booth, R Lowden, A Stodart, D Miles, C Geldart, B Jackson, B Bowles, C Birkes, C Parry, L Bates, A Stokes, D Bird, T Parry

Royston Town A 4 North Met Vets 0

TOWN consolidated their position as league leaders with a comprehensive win.

In the second half, Royston finally broke free of their shackles and with a more adventurous approach took the lead when James Bass fired home from 20 yards out.

Captain Brett Purkiss grabbed two quick goals shortly afterwards, rounding the keeper with two cool finishes.

The game was eventually sealed when debutant Ashley Judge capped a fine performance when his delivery into the box found Mark Evans.

Wilbraham 2 Steeple Morden1

STEEPLE MORDEN were beaten by a late goal in an exciting and fiery encounter at Wilbraham.

Wilbraham's pacy and skilful attack broke through several times but were denied by some fine saves from Steeple man-of-the-match Brian Sarll.

Steeple eventually settled down and started to create some good chances.

Top scorer Ben Holt looked dangerous and went close with a couple of efforts.

As the half came to an end, Roy Dunsford collected the ball just inside his own half and took on three defenders before curling a fine shot just past the upright.

There was an explosive start to the second period when Martin Holt was harshly judged to have handled following a mis-kick and Wilbraham top scorer Chris Ogram made no mistake from the spot.

The lead was short-lived, when Joe Morris was brought down following a penetrating run, and Steeple equalised from the resultant free-kick.

Jamie Murphy delivered to the far post, and Ben Holt converted the knock-down from Andy Smith.

Steeple started to look the more likely winners, and Roy Dunsford had a header cleared off the line before Morden were denied a penalty for what looked like a clear handball.

With the top two strikers in the Division on show, another goal was always likely, and unfortunately for Steeple it was Ogram who broke the deadlock with a diving far post header following a swift counter-attack by the hosts.

In the dying minutes, substitute Dave Watters missed two golden opportunities to rescue the point Steeple deserved from this tense tussle.

Steeple Morden: B Sarll, B Morris , A Smith, J Watters, M Holt (M Carlton), K Parr (), N Carlton (D Watters),J Murphy , J Morris, R Dunsford , B Holt.