After Saturday’s disappointing result we responded positively with a victory that takes us into the next round of the Herts Charity Shield, a trophy we lifted last season for the 4th time. Harry Shepherd obviously likes this competition because he scored a brace in last year’s final when we beat Oxhey Jets 4-0 and he got on the scoresheet again in this game with a late strike to calm the nerves after Bailey Osborne had given us the lead early in the second half with a smart finish.

It was a good performance from the players against a fellow South Midlands Premier Division side despite the fact that we missed a raft of chances to make the score line more comfortable although we must give credit to the Baldock keeper Tautis Poniskaitis who made a series of great saves.

The game started slowly with not much happening in the early stages but midway through the first half we raised the tempo and started to get on top, with James Sales and Bailey Osborne whipping over a series of dangerous crosses that were crying out for someone to get on the end of. In the 24th minute Frankie Hercules drove into the area with a great run then slipped the ball to Bailey Osborne who set up Dylan Fitzpatrick for a shot that was superbly tipped round the post by the opposition keeper. Soon afterwards Harry Beaumont shot just wide after some good link up play.

Baldock are a young side who play the game in the right spirit but they hadn’t troubled our defence too much until they were award a free kick around the half hour mark which caused some problems in our area until we were able to clear the danger.

But most of the action was at the other end of the pitch with Max Hercules shooting narrowly wide at the near post in the 34th minute after being set up by Bailey Osborne and Dylan Fitzpatrick. Then a minute later Max latched onto a long ball from Lee Stobbs and forced the keeper into a good save with Dylan Fitzpatrick’s follow shot going wide.

Following a corner just before half time Jack Harvey fired a powerful shot from outside the area which was superbly tipped over the bar by the keeper. The half ended with our supporters scratching their heads as to how we went into the break still level pegging. HT Score 0-0.

After only 39 seconds from the restart Bailey Osborne was played through by a defence splitting pass from Dylan Fitzpatrick but was again denied by the keeper who made a terrific save with his legs. A few minutes later Max was set up by another super pass by Dylan Fitzpatrick but his shot was blocked by a defender.

Our supporters must have started to wonder whether we would ever score but then Bailey Osborne came to the rescue in the 54th minute. The goal was set by Lee Stobbs who cleverly beat his marker then produced a sumptuous cross that the youngster converted to finally put us ahead. Score 1-0.

Rather than wilt Baldock came back strongly and their influential midfielder Kai Tearle made a good break into the midfield on the hour before producing a fierce shot that forced a good save from Dan Gould. It was probably Baldock’s first serious effort on target but it was an indication that the game was far from over and that Baldock were not about to give up without a fight as soon afterwards we had to clear a shot off the line after an opposition forward went around Dan Gould and tried to squeeze a shot in from a tight angle.

We were still getting into good positions and producing good crosses with Max Hercules just failing to get a good connection when he was picked out at the far post. Later Harry Jones was twice set up by Harry Shepherd, the first effort he skied but the second forced another fine save from the keeper.

The game opened up and Baldock started to press forward in search of an equaliser and the nerves started to jangle a bit as the clock seemed to wind down slowly. Our opponents were throwing caution to the wind and we had opportunities to take advantage of the spaces appearing in their defence. Ben Kakembo spurned an opportunity when the keeper was way of his goal but he made amends in the 5th minute of added time when he slipped a pass to Harry Shepherd who slotted the ball past the keeper to double our lead and take us into the next round of the cup. FT Score 2-0.

This was a good win and it was encouraging that we kept our first clean sheet of the season against a Baldock side that never gave up. In the next round we are at home to Letchworth Garden City Eagles who are mid table in Division 1. But before that we have a trip to Colney Heath on Saturday which is always a tough place to go, so lets hope we can continue our winning streak.

Team: Dan Gould, Lee Stobbs, James Sales, Harrison Cornick, George Carbery (Capt) Jack Harvey, Harry Beaumont, Frankie Hercules (Harry Shepherd 68), Dylan Fitzpatrick (Blake Argent 90), Bailey Osborne (Harry Jones 73), Max Hercules (Ben Kakembo 68). Sub not used: Adam Sawyer

Goals:

TA: Bailey Osborne (54), Harry Shepherd (90+5)

BT: -

Crowd: 84