Darryll Mills

GK

Rob Djemal (c)

DEF

Mark Cook

DEF

Richard Butler

DEF

Paul Judkins

DEF

Chris Payne

MF

Peter Green

MF

Steve Montgomery

MF

Matt West

MF

Andy Payne

F

Spencer Ward

F

Rob Convey

MF

Terry Keates

F

Martin Southall

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Saracens travelled to Buntingford for this away fixture. With a full squad to choose from player selection was going to be no problem for today.

It was clear from the outset that Buntingford have assembled a young team this season but judging by there performances of late they have improved a lot.

Saracens settled into the game from the start and set there stall out early with as is now traditional the customary early shot at goal, from this attack Saracens received the ball back almost immediately and continued to press the ball back at Buntingford. Buntingford continued to absorb a huge amount of pressure from Saracens but managed to break occasionally playing the ball out wide to their rather pacy wingers.

The first half continued in this vein with both sides working hard for the ball but Saracens edging it out on the 50 / 50 play and keeping possession the better.

Half time came quickly at 0-0 but the talk was short and some changes were made with Spencer coming off for Terry.

The second half Saracens really started to apply the pressure and kept getting at the Buntingford back line time and again with a huge amount of balls being delivered but we just couldn’t add the finish that the crosses were crying out for, it was from another quick break that Saracens scored with the ball being worked down the Right and delivered for Pete to rise like a salmon and loop his header into the top corner beyond the despairing dive of the goalkeeper.

After the goal Saracens kept plugging away for the second but this seemed to spur on Buntingford who seemed to get the bit between their teeth. They launched a lot of attacks against the Saracens backline, mostly these were long balls over the top which were comfortably dealt with by the ever improving back line.

The game started to fizzle out but did end with Buntingford gaining the upper hand in the last few minutes but by then it was too late and Saracanes held on for another important victory.

Manager Martin Southall said “It was an interesting game today with a young side that were prepared to dig in and work hard, Buntingford worked hard for each other but in the end Saracens strength and experience showed through, we worked hard and looked after the ball when we needed to and dug in for the result at the end. It was a pleasing dogged performance, well done lads.”