Baston welcomed local rivals Pointon Colts for their first Tuesday night game of the spring. Baston welcomed back Josh Cattermole up front for his first game since November, as well as midfielder Tom Hills coming in on the left flank.
Baston started well and created good chances, with the returning Josh Cattermole and Sam Baines missing excellent chances to open the scoring, with Ross O’Loughlin carving the Pointon defence apart from midfield.
Baston made their early dominance pay, Tom Bedford picking out Josh Cattermole in the middle of the park, who waited before sending a perfect through ball to Craig Bullivant who slotted past the keeper for his eighth of the season.
Baston were still creating with Baines, Cattermole and Hudson all failing to capitalise on good chances to double the lead.
Baston would pay for their failings in front of goal, as first Trevor Laryea had a goal dubiously disallowed for offside. Shortly before half time, Pointon’s young winger Josh Scott beat Baston’s right back Stuey Couzens in the air, flicking the ball onto his teammate. Scott then showed Couzens a clean pair of heels as he linked up to fire the ball past Rob Clarke, giving the Baston stopper no chance.
Baston came out brightly in the second half and should have taken the lead twice through Ben Hudson, who squandered both of his headed chances from Ross O’Loughlin’s free-kicks, with one falling to Josh Cattermole who fired home, only to be flagged offside.
Baston were looking the most likely in the late stages, with Pointon only forcing one comfortable save out of Rob Clarke. Baston’s persistence paid off when Cattermole slid the ball in to Sam Baines on the edge of the area who then cut into the box with a fine piece of skill, before unselfishly squaring to Craig Bullivant who made sure from close range.
Baston held on for the win, and will be looking to take maximum points from their three remaining league fixtures. A special mention goes to Nick Sheppard who stepped in to referee the game at short notice, and performed well.
Man of the Match: Ben Hudson
Baston: Clarke, Couzens (Overland), Bedford (c), Hudson, Medler, Baines, Ward, O’Loughlin, Hills, Cattermole, Bullivant
