Match 38. Buntingford Town v Hatfield Social

Saturday 7^th May 2016 @3pm

Herts Senior League Premier Division

BUNTINGFORD TOWN 8-3 HATFIELD SOCIAL

The Bury, London Road, Buntingford SG9 9HZ

Admission and Programme: free (12pp)

Attendance:  h/c 20

Refreshments: McCoys 70p.

So as silly season gets underway, I turn to one of my usual step 7 leagues for May and drive to The Bury.  The ground is situated just off the A10 at the roundabout outside the village.  The pitch is completely railed off and has hardstanding down one touchline.  There are dugouts that look like converted sheds.  The clubhouse and changing rooms are elevated on banking and the veranda at the front offers a terrific view of the pitch.  There are 3 junior pitches on the complex and the club shares with the Cougar Youth sides. A few programmes were put on a table in the bar just before kick-off.

The game’s first goal didn’t arrive until 23 minutes through the half so I was not expecting the goal fest that followed.  A chip to the far post allowed Antcliffe to head into the corner. 5 minutes later an attack down the left and after making inroads from the by-line and cutting back, 2 efforts on goal were foiled before no10 shot low into the corner.  On 33 minute Hatfield got a goal back but Buntingford regained a two goal lead 3 minutes later when no11 curled a shot into the top left corner to make it 3-1 at half time.

Hatfield got back into the match just 2 minutes after the restart when a counter attack allowed a simple tap in.  10 minutes later the home side regained their cushion again when the no15 went on a mazy run passing 2 defenders before slotting the ball under the keeper. Within 2 minutes another goal arrived when a free kick on the right was crossed into the box and headed in.  Then on the hour it was 6-2 as a flowing move from halfway gave space for no14 to run into the area and squared it to no15 for his second goal of the match.  A consolation Hatfield Social goal when a shot on the edge of the box evaded the keeper into the far corner. A run from 40 yards out from no14 ended with beating a defender and sliding the ball into the net.  There was even a last minute goal when an attack down the left was crossed for 14 to tap in.

Another enjoyable game in the Herts Senior League which rarely lets me down at this stage of the season.