Baston had an early chance of revenge against their Division Four rivals, after last week’s 3-1 defeat away from home.
Baston started the game strongly with good possession in their opposition’s half. Some good passing moves broke down with the final ball not finding its target and momentum getting lost. Baston did find the net in the first half as Mantas Buivydas slotted past the Kings Cliffe keeper, but was controversially flagged offside. Buivydas was busy down the right and smashed the post from a tight angle soon after. Kings Cliffe’s best chance came as a mix-up between the Baston centre halves led to their striker running clear, but thankfully a massive lack of composure saw him blaze his effort well over the bar. Other than that, the away team posed very little threat to Rob Clarke’s goal and it was a wonder that Baston didn’t find themselves ahead at the break.
Baston started the second half strongly, but gave away a free-kick on the edge of their area. Rob Clarke was setting his wall as the player took the shot on which beat him at his far post, with Clarke unprepared and unaware of his bearings.
The goal kicked Baston in to life, and they had numerous chances to get back into the game; Scott Waters shot forced a great save from the keeper to keep their lead intact.
With Baston pushing for an equaliser, it was left to the defence to keep the Kings Cliffe counter attack at bay, and they did that, led by linchpin Liam Davies who along with Justas Poderis cleared all danger that came their way. At the other end, Baston had a call for a penalty as Buivydas seemed to be hauled down by the keeper, after he’d dispossessed him.
With just seconds left on the clock, sub Craig Bullivant had an effort which the keeper managed to smother behind, under pressure from Tom Bedford. Mindy Valys fired the corner to the back post, where Ben Hudson got up to head across goal and supersub Tom Hames nodded home the equaliser on his debut to give Baston a well deserved point, in a game that they should have taken all three from.
“After our battering at the hands of Woodston Dynamos two weeks ago, we’ve been much improved in both games against Kings Cliffe Reserves. The improvements are obvious from game to game and it is hard to take that we’ve only managed a point from two games which we could have, and should have won. We’re still amongst it at the top of the table and we’ll keep pushing for promotion” Phil Davies
Man of the Match: Liam Davies
Baston: Rob Clarke, Mindy Valys, Justas Poderis, Liam Davies, Ryan Jones (Tom Hames), Mantas Buivydas, Tom Bedford (c), Scott Waters, Matt Holdup (Craig Bullivant), Greg Rawlinson, Ben Hudson.
Baston host Peterborough Rovers Reserves next Saturday (12th November)
