Benevolent Cup Final
Baston 6 – 0 Harrowby Athletic
Baston travelled to Ancaster for their first ever chance to win silverware as they competed with Harrowby Athletic for the Benevolent Cup.
Harrowby would have been confident having taken 4 points from their encounters in the league this season. Baston named an unchanged side from their semi-final victory.
Baston started nervously as Harrowby tried to use their aerial dominance, but the defence stayed strong and prevented any chances for the opposition’s strikers.
Baston grew into the game and took the lead after 15 minutes. The Harrowby goalkeeper’s kick found Ross “Hollywood” O’Loughlin who controlled the ball just inside the opposition half and, seeing the goalkeeper off his line, smashed the ball from 45 yards out. The goalkeeper could only watch as the ball hit the back of the net.
The wonder goal gave Baston a lot of confidence and they nearly doubled their lead just moments later. Tom Bedford’s long ball was chested down nicely by Ben Hudson but his shot was tipped onto the underside of the bar by the keeper and bounced away.
It was only a matter of time before they got their second, and it came through speed merchant Greg Rawlinson, who despite miscuing his first shot across goal, was gifted the ball back to him by the Harrowby defender, and this time he showed composure to dribble past a defender and slot the ball inside the keeper’s near post.
It was the pace of Rawlinson that caused trouble again for Harrowby, as he cut in from the right hand side this time, but before he could get his shot away, was brought down inside the area for a penalty. Captain Tom Bedford stepped up to maintain his 100% penalty record as he sent the keeper the wrong way to give Baston a 3-0 lead at half time.
Harrowby were convinced that one goal would see them back into the game, but the crucial goal went to Baston on the hour mark courtesy of a fine team move with Greg Rawlinson running past a couple of Harrowby players and passing to Ben Hudson who flicked the ball skilfully through the defence for Andy Moss to burst onto and tuck the ball into the bottom right corner, despite the best efforts of the full-back on the goal-line.
The same players linked up soon after, with Hudson latching on to Walker’s through ball, but his shot was fired over the bar under pressure from the defender.
With 20 minutes left, Baston could afford to relax as they made it 5. Baston counter attacked quickly after clearing a corner, with Greg Rawlinson picking up the ball on the halfway line and racing clear of the Harrowby team, and despite a good save by the keeper, Rawlinson had time to collect the ball again and hit the back of the net.
Baston continued to create chances with Greg Rawlinson unlucky not to score a hat-trick as he blazed an effort over the goal before being substituted. Last week’s supersub Craig Bullivant came off the bench, and with an almost replica situation of his match winner in the semi-final, he chipped the ball straight into the goalkeeper’s chest.
Baston completely dominated the midfield with Simon Ward’s dynamic performance standing out; he showed superb work ethic as he battled for every ball and never stopped running.
Harrowby Athletic resorted to petulance and fouling, with Liam Davies and Rob Clarke victims of unnecessary dirty play, fortunately neither was seriously injured.
Harrowby managed a couple of late chances, with Rob Clarke earning his clean sheet as he tipped a goal bound effort wide of the post, and another shot going just wide.
With the game in injury time, Baston had a free-kick just inside the opposition half. Tom Bedford sent the ball to the back post where Josh Cattermole smashed his volley goal bound, but the keeper pulled off another good save to tip it wide. Craig Bullivant’s corner evaded everyone, but was picked up outside the area by Ross O’Loughlin who dinked the ball into the near post area where Ben Hudson volleyed home with the last kick of the game to make it 6-0.
The result was a fair reflection on Baston dominance in the game. The presentation was made with Greg Rawlinson awarded Man of the Match by the league panel, after a fine display from the Baston winger. After a few words from the league chairman, it was down to Captain Tom Bedford to walk up and collect the Benevolent Cup.
The Baston players and management would like to thank all of the fans who travelled to the game for their wonderful support.
Baston: Rob Clarke, Jon Howard (Matt Medler), Tom Bedford (c), Liam Davies, Sam Baines, Simon Ward, Ross O’Loughlin, Andy Moss (Craig Bullivant), Josh Cattermole, Greg Rawlinson (Adam Bull), Ben Hudson. Unused subs: Stuey Couzens, Steve Mastin.
