HITS Consultancy Junior Cup, Round 1
Baston made hard work of a win in this cup match against village rivals Baston Athletic.
Baston started in exciting fashion, as Russ Grimes missed from under the cross bar with 30 seconds on the clock. After constant pressure, and a string of good saves by Athletic keeper Lloyd, Baston finally broke the deadlock with James Ward turning home a cross at the back post. Baston doubled their advantage soon after with Sam Baines’ cross from the right deceiving the keeper and going in.
Baston should have had the game finished by half time, but Baston Athletic pegged them back, as Sid Hoggart struck a lovely free-kick into the top corner to make it 2-1 at the break.
Baston added a third shortly after half-time, as Russ Grimes threaded a ball through for Craig Bullivant to slot home comfortably. Despite their complete dominance, Baston struggled with their finishing, coupled with Baston Athletic keeper Mick Lloyd having a great game between the sticks. Baston Athletics’ best chances of getting back into the game came with 20 minutes left; First Rich McCullen saw his shot saved smartly by Tom Bedford, and then shortly the referee awarded a penalty after judging there had been some pushing in the box following a corner. Lee Hartley stepped up to take it, but saw his spot kick thunder back off the post.
Baston added some gloss to the scoreline in the dying seconds, as James Ward tapped home from close range with the last kick of the game. They will face Heckington Millers away in the 2nd round of the cup on the 27th November.
Man of the Match: Mick Lloyd
Baston: Tom Bedford, Sam Baines, Ben Hudson, Liam Davies (c), James Simpson, Jon Howard, Ross O’Loughlin, James Ward, Greg Rawlinson, Russ Grimes, Craig Bullivant (Matt Barnett)
Baston Athletic: Mick Lloyd, Jamie Barney, Sid Hoggart, Dan Twaite, Dave Burton (Jay Pawlett), Lee Hartley, Joel Meadows, Matt Medler (Scott Thompson), James Mason, Rich McCullen, Dan Bollam
