A record attendance watched Tuesday night’s highly anticipated local derby between Baston and their ever isolated reserve side. Baston were missing wingers Rawlinson and Howard, and their only recognised striker Bullivant.
The Reserves boasted a very strong side and dominated the opening exchanges. They could have scored but for the finishing of striker Charlie Sutton, who wasted his opportunity by hitting the ball into the grateful arms of keeper Rob Clarke.
Baston lost Stuey Couzens and his replacement Jake Overland set up their first chance, as Ben Hudson’s header was clawed away by keeper Mick Lloyd. Baston’s only other shot on target in the first half came from an ambitious 35 yarder by Ross O’Loughlin, but Lloyd scrambled to his right to keep it out.
The Reserves were the better side and came out with intent in the second half. Adam Bull getting onto Tony Wooding’s long ball, and despite a good block by Rob Clarke, the ball fell to Charlie Sutton who finished well from just inside the area to give them a deserved lead.
This woke up Baston who began to get a strong foothold in the game without creating any clear cut chances. The Reserves were dangerous on the counter attack and could have doubled their lead but for Tony Wooding putting his lob wide, and Charlie Sutton over-running the ball when through one-on-one, allowing Clarke to rush out and hold onto the ball.
With 25 minutes left a Baston corner was floated in from the left, and keeper Mick Lloyd failed to hold onto the ball, Liam Davies hooked the ball back across goal where Tom Hills headed home, just inside the back post.
Baston were looking the more likely to go and get a winner, and the Baston management pushed in-form Andy Walker up front, and they had a great shout for a penalty when Walker nodded the ball past the keeper before being sandwiched by the keeper and defender. The referee waved away the appeals.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Baston continued to push for the winner. Matt Medler was fouled about 30 yards out from goal. Ross O’Loughlin floated the ball towards the penalty spot; Mick Lloyd called for the ball but ended up in no-man’s land as Ben Hudson got there first and glanced his header into the vacant goal to make it 2-1.
The Reserves refused to lay down, and piled the pressure on for the last few minutes. With just seconds left on the referee’s watch, substitute Scott Thompson was brought down inside the area for a penalty. James Ward grabbed the ball; Rob Clarke guessed the right way but the ball rebounded off him into the other side of the net. But before the Reserves could celebrate, the referee ordered a retake due to encroaching. James Ward stepped up again but blazed his spot kick over the bar.
Baston held on for the win, but were ran very close by their Reserve side who will not be affiliated next season as they continue to become their own club.
Man of the Match: Ben Hudson
Baston: Clarke, Couzens (Overland), Bedford (c), Davies, Medler, Baines, Ward, Walker, O’Loughlin, Hills, Hudson
