BENEVOLENT CUP SEMI FINAL
Baston travelled to first division opposition with a chance to secure a place in next week’s final. Baston boasted the best side they’ve had available all season, bringing in Josh Cattermole on the wing and Craig Bullivant returning from injury to take a place on the bench.
Ancaster showed why they’re in a higher league and retained possession well in the early stages. They also tried to utilise their height advantage with several early corners with full back Jon Howard stopping two on the line, and Rob Clarke pulling off a great save to tip one over that seemed to be dipping underneath the bar.
After 25 minutes, and against the run of play, Tom Bedford’s long kick was flicked on by Ben Hudson; the Ancaster defence couldn’t clear and Greg Rawlinson pounced on the loose ball before floating the ball unstoppably over the keeper from the left side of the area.
Baston grew in confidence and could have doubled their advantage. Ross O’Loughlin confusing the Ancaster defence as he dinked a close range free-kick over the wall, but a stunning recovery tackle prevented Andy Moss from getting his shot away. Greg Rawlinson had another chance as he ran past his defender but blasted his shot over the bar. Tom Bedford also saw his bullet header unfortunately hit the keeper from Ross O’Loughlin’s corner.
Baston did well to keep Ancaster at bay, but nearly came unstuck as a defensive lapse allowed the Ancaster striker to lob Rob Clarke, but a magnificent sliding clearance on the line from Sam Baines prevented parity as Baston took their 1-0 advantage into half time.
While Baston’s team talk was quiet and encouraging, the Ancaster dressing room was not a nice place to be in as their manager went ballistic at his side’s first half efforts.
The Ancaster players reacted well and scored almost straight from the re-start with their striker picking up the ball inside the box and driving his shot inside Rob Clarke’s near post.
Baston heads went down and Ancaster could have easily taken the lead as one shot struck the inside of the post but bounced clear and Jon Howard with an excellent covering clearance to stop an attack. A couple of close range headers were saved brilliantly by Rob Clarke sprawling across his line.
A long Ross O’Loughlin free-kick was nearly headed in by Tom Bedford at the back post but he couldn’t get enough power in the header to test the goal keeper.
With 20 minutes left came Baston’s best chance since the Ancaster leveller, as Andy Moss passed to Ben Hudson, who cut inside his marker before unleashing a 25 yard left footed strike at goal; The keeper seemed wrong footed with the shot heading for the top corner before a world class save tipped the ball onto the bar and away.
Baston were growing in confidence and had a couple more chances as Greg Rawlinson fired over the bar and Simon Ward smashed a left footer just wide of the post from just inside the box. Baston were also aggrieved as Josh Cattermole was tripped in the penalty area but the referee waved away the claims for a spot kick.
With 10 minutes left, and tension on a knife edge, Baston’s defensive leader Liam Davies had to come off through injury, being replaced by striker Craig Bullivant; who had a chance nearly straight away but his curler was well saved by the keeper at the back post.
With just 2 minutes left on the clock, Ross O’Loughlin threaded a great ball through to supersub Craig Bullivant, who peeled away from his marker before chipping the keeper from the edge of the area, with the ball clipping the inside of the far post as it crossed the line to make it 2-1 and send Baston through to the final.
Baston worked brilliantly with not one player having a bad game. Their determination and work rate was superb and they thoroughly deserved to get through to the final as they saw off good opposition.
The Benevolent Cup Final: Saturday 8th May, 18:15 at Ancaster. Baston vs. Harrowby Athletic
Baston: Clarke, Howard, Bedford (c), Davies (Bullivant), Baines, Cattermole (Medler), Ward, Moss, O’Loughlin, Rawlinson, Hudson
