Herts Senior County League Premier Division Sandridge Rovers 4 Buntingford Town 2 SANDRIDGE Rovers played a game of two halves to sink top-three side Buntingford Town in the Herts Senior County League Premier Division on Saturday. After a spectacular six-

Herts Senior County League Premier Division

Sandridge Rovers 4 Buntingford Town 2

SANDRIDGE Rovers played a game of two halves to sink top-three side Buntingford Town in the Herts Senior County League Premier Division on Saturday.

After a spectacular six-goal first half, Rovers closed the door in the second period to seal the points at the Spencer Recreation Ground. Manager Bob Fowler said: "We were 4-2 up at half time but gave away silly goals. At half time I wasn't bothered about scoring any more goals, we wanted to keep a clean sheet in the second half. In some ways we were more satisfied with that than we were the first half."

James Aires gave slick Sandridge the lead, tapping home after a Mitchell Heylock cross, and Marc Andrews made it 2-0, converting an Aaron Baker free kick as Fowler's men threatened to run riot.

Buntingford Town replied but Sandridge eased further ahead with a penalty from striker Stuart Love.

The visitors again were able to notch a soft goal to bring them back into the match before the dazzling Nicky Darke crashed in a fourth on half time for Sandridge. Fowler said: "Nicky Darke hammered in a great fourth to cap a fantastic 45 minutes for him. We put in a good performance on the ball, soured by our performance off the ball. At half time you would have thought we were 4-2 down, not 4-2 up it was so annoying, you cannot allow a side like Buntingford back in. We forgot about our defensive responsibilities."

Rovers closed out the second half and could have added a fifth goal when the marauding Robbie Heywood was taken down in the box for a penalty. Love stepped up but lifted his shot over the crossbar. The manager said: "Robbie went on one of his fantastic runs and was dragged down, it was the only way they could stop him. Stuart Love chipped it over the bar."

Rovers are at home to Bovingdon on Saturday and Fowler is looking for his side to combine their second half off the ball with their first-half attacking flair. He said: "If we can maintain the level we showed off the ball in the second 45 minutes we will be okay. Going forward we play some great football with Nicky Darke, Aaron Baker, Ryan Denys, Neil Cannon and Mitchell Heylock at full back who was tremendous."

l Sandridge Rovers Reserves closed the gap to one point between the three sides at the top of the Herts Senior County League Reserve Division Two with an emphatic 4-1 win at Wormley Rovers Reserves.

Danny Johnson scored and played a starring role for the side and Fowler is keeping a close eye on the progress of Kevin Barton's team. He said: "Kevin said the boys put it together again. Danny Johnson is a terrific player and I have now got James Aires playing for me who has been playing in the reserves. He has shown he is worth his place in my side. He has come back full of confidence after playing for Kevin."

Midfielder Dean Adams is continuing his recovery after suffering a broken foot earlier this term. The young player has proved a revelation in the first team at Sandridge since progressing from the reserves.