Monday 1st April 2013 ko 15.00

Hertfordshire County Senior League Division One

BUNTINGFORD TOWN 1 (Gilbert 58)

ASLAN 2 (Carvalho 64 Florence 85)

Att 28

Entry & Programme FREE

The town of Buntingford sits on both the River Rib, and on the Roman Ermine Street. It has a large number of Georgian and mediaeval buildings and was a stop-over on what was the main route between London and Cambridge, now the A10,

Buntingford was home to supermarket chain Sainsbury’s Anglia Distribution Centre, however this is now vacant and awaiting lease. The site was previously used as a Royal Army Ordnance Corps munitions factory, known locally as “The Dump.”

The Bury Sports Field lies adjacent to it, at the outskirts of town. And what a wonderful place to watch a game it is. The topography helps, the clubhouse is raised well above pitch level, and the balcony is easily the best place to view the action.

The opposition intrigued me, I overheard their officials speaking a language I didn’t understand, so I asked. It transpires they’re a Turkish Cypriot club, Aslan is Turkish for Lion, and they’re based in Enfield. A quick chat with referee Chris Flack revealed an expectation for a tough assignment, but he was easily up to the job, no cards and the game flowed.

The game was eminently watchable, on a cold afternoon when the balcony was welcome, providing shelter from the wind. Fellow hopper Chris Garner was celebrating a minor milestone, ground number 321, so the Ted Rogers gag was marked, a picture with a “Dusty Bin.”

With Aslan second, but with multiple games in hand an away win looked likely, and did come to pass, but it look a fright to get them motivated. Louis Gilbert lobbing Kemal Osyasa opening the scoring for the hosts. It was only then that Aslan made their territorial advantage count with a goal that Tijan Carvalho scrambled over the line with a sensitive part of his anatomy! The winner showed all present why they may well win the title as a flicked back-heel was latched on to by substitute Daniel Florence who hit the ball first time into the top corner.