Baston finished off the season in style edging a 12 goal thriller to leap frog Lord Harrowby in the league.
Baston were forced into 5 changes following last week’s cup win, including a call-up for reserve team keeper Mick Lloyd.
Baston were ahead within the first minute as Sam Baines’s cross found an unmarked Andy Moss at the back post who smashed an excellent volley into the net. Baston were pegged back almost immediately though with Lord Harrowby taking advantage of some poor defending to make it 1-1.
Lord Harrowby took the lead soon after but Ross O’Loughlin restored parity after Sam Baines was tripped on the edge of the area. O’Loughlin bending the ball around the wall and scoring off the post.
Baston took the lead close to half time with Andy Moss’s long ball cushioned down nicely by Tony Bedford, allowing Ben Hudson to take his time and volley past the keeper. Lord Harrowby equalised on the stroke of half time though due to further defensive frailties.
Baston took a 4-3 lead soon after the break as sub Jake Overland’s deep cross was headed in at the back post by veteran Tony Bedford. Tony was substituted soon after to warm applause from the fans in his last game before hanging up his boots this summer.
Baston seemed to be cruising but it was Lord Harrowby who took advantage of some poor refereeing as they were given a penalty for an unintentional handball outside the area! They duly scored to make it 4-4. Lord Harrowby started to get a foothold in the game forcing several good saves out of stand-in keeper Mick Lloyd, who twice palmed the ball over the bar before a good dive to his left to tip a goalbound effort wide. It was his error moments later though as he was judged to have dragged down a striker in the box. The Lord Harrowby striker sent him the wrong way to give them a lead at 5-4.
Baston were back level with 20 minutes left, as Ross O’Loughlin replicated his first half free-kick, with the keeper watching it fly in the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
Baston showed their overall dominance with Hudson slotting a ball through for substitute striker Aiden Houston who showed good composure as he shrugged off a challenge and slotted home. With just 10 minutes left, Baston sealed the victory as Ben Hudson got the ball from Sam Baines, broke a challenge and fired past the keeper from the edge of the area for his 20th goal of the season.
There were still further chances for Baston as Matt Medler went on a mazy run from left back, dribbling past several defenders before smashing his shot into the trees behind the goal. Defensive linchpin Liam Davies also went in search of a goal but he sliced his 25 yard shot and almost saw it go out for a throw-in.
Man of the Match: Sam Baines
Baston: Lloyd, Couzens (Overland), T. Bedford (c), Davies, Medler, Brader, O’Loughlin, Moss, Baines, A. Bedford, Hudson
The match was followed by the end of season presentations:
Manager’s player: Tom Bedford
Players’ player: Ben Hudson
