By Tom Brown Buntingford Town 2 Hoddesdon Town 0 A YOUNG Town side deservedly secured their place in the next round of Herts Charity Shield by overcoming South Midlands League opponents Hoddesdon. Without many first team regulars, Paul Attfield s side

By Tom Brown

Buntingford Town 2 Hoddesdon Town 0

A YOUNG Town side deservedly secured their place in the next round of Herts Charity Shield by overcoming South Midlands League opponents Hoddesdon.

Without many first team regulars, Paul Attfield's side played with confidence and discipline, with strikes from Tom Malins and Will Turl setting up a second round encounter with South Midlands Premier outfit Oxhey Jets.

Attfield said: "This was our first run out as a squad, as holidays and the Youth Team's tour of Denmark had affected any chance of a pre season campaign - but you wouldn't have noticed.

"Our fitness and enthusiasm levels shone throughout, especially in the second half and the win was just reward for their efforts. They played some really excellent football."

Both teams started brightly at The Bury, with the visitors having the best chances and Buntingford's Damion Williamson the busier of the two keepers.

However, the home side's commitment was rewarded when Ricky Young pounced on a defensive mistake and played Malins through, with the youngster shooting across the keeper and into the far corner from 12 yards.

In the second half, Buntingford put any thoughts of a Hoddesdon comeback to the sword as their compact and lively football pushed their opponents back.

Creating a number of chances, Attfield's team pressed forward and with their confidence growing Mark Smith came close with a 25 yard volley, while Phil Fraser hit the post with another clever effort.

And with 10 minutes to go, Malins forced a superb save from the Hoddesdon keeper and Turl powered home Liam Beaumont's resulting corner.

Attfield added: "I was really chuffed with the performance and the result, especially against a team who has a good pre season behind them. With the rest of the squad coming back I'm confident we can have another pleasing season."

Buntingford Town: Williamson; Endacott, M Babbage, Cain, J Babbage; Smith (Beaumont), De Lacy (Christie), Nichols (Young), Malins; Turl, Fisher. (Subs) Frostick, Gibson