Darryll Mills

GK

Richard Butler

DEF

Mark Cook

DEF

Matt West

DEF

Paul Judkins

DEF

Paul Dobson

MF

Dan Hemmings

MF

Chris Payne

MF

Ross Hutchings

MF

Andy Payne

F

Spencer Ward

F

Terry Keates

MF

Martin Southall

GK

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After the Christmas break Saracens were looking to continue their good form of the first half of the season into the second half, during this weeks training session it became apparent that all the boys had not eaten to much over the Christmas in order to maintain their fitness levels.

Match day was its usual indifference with Rob being away all week & ill for the match day it was left to Martin to run the club for a week. How did he do, well badly to be honest, Rob is now banned from going away again during the season he needs to run the club so I can concentrate on the football.

Match day came with the boys looking fresh and raring to go after having a 2 week rest up. The team talk before the game seemed to work well with the boys doing exactly what was asked of them.

We started the game so quick that Buntingford didn’t really know what had hit with Saracens pressing very hard looking for the early goal, this duely came after a flighted cross into the box saw the initial shot saved by the goalkeeper, but he was unable to hold on and Spencer nipped in to steal the rebound and bury the ball 1-0 Saracens.

It wasn’t to long before the second about 2 mins to be exact when possession was lost from the midfield pires released Dobbo to make tracks down the field before Squaring to Andy to lay off for Chris who placed his shot beyond the Goalkeeper into the bottom corner 2-0.

With this Saracens started to dictate the flow of the game moving the ball around nicely with some great football and making more chances, Buntingford had their chances but Millsy was only really troubled once in the Sarries goal and produced a very smart save down low to his right to keep the scoreline in our favour.

With this Saracens were woken up again as Buntigford seemed to be starting to get a handle on the game.

Half time was about settling down with the ball and not allowing Buntingford back into the game, keeping possession of the ball was going to be key to getting this achieved.

The second half again Saracens responded with some very tidy play and good possession of the ball, but the large forward was determined not to give Westy & Cook an easy time at the back but they stuck to their tasks well and never allowed him the space he needed.

Buntingford continued to make chances but were unable to find an opening with the rearguard holding strong, then a change of tactics for Buntingford saw them start to try and wind up the Saracens players and start forcing mistakes, to be honest it worked before calm was restored and Saracens replied to the bully tactics the best way possible. A corner was one and from the ensuing melee in the box Spencer was left free to turn on a sixpence and fire home from close range to make the scoreline a little more comfortable 3-0.

This seemed to end any hope of a come back and the game was effectively quietened down for the last 15.

Saracens continued to use the ball well and create chances with Andy, Westy & Ross all coming close in the last 10 mins to add to the scoreline but the game finished 3-0 for a deserved and well fought victory.

Manager Martin Southall said “I was pleased with the application of the players today, they continue to show great progress and all work very hard for each other, special note to mention Andy Payne who wore the Captains armband today and led by example pitching in at the back and getting around the field well to create chance after chance. The whole team is performing very well at the moment, even with players missing Saracens continue to be a force to such an extent that everyone in the squad is good enough to hold down a starting place, the competition for places is great to have as it keeps players on the top of their game. Buntingford seem to be improving each time we play them with a few very good players in the side. With the right guidance they could go on to do very well. So well done to both sides today and lets hope Saracens can keep up the current good play.”