TACTICAL CHANGE PAYS OFF

A trip to Arlesey Town’s ground (where Baldock Town ground share) brought back some disappointing memories from last season when we gave up a 2 goal lead by conceding two goals in the second half. This time it was our turn to score 2 goals in the second half and collect a valuable 3 away points after a classic game of two halves.

The plaudits will rightly go to the scorers Harry Jones, with a corker, and Max Hercules, with a fine finish, but credit must go to Manager Ryan Sturges and his coaching team for recognising that changes needed to be made after a poor first half performance. As a result we looked a completely different side in the second period and deservedly ran out 2 nil winners.

The first half was an even and at times scrappy game with neither side making many clear cut chances. It took a quarter of an hour before either side produced anything of note when Dave O’Connor’s fine pass picked out Max Hercules who did well to pull the ball back to Harry Jones who fired a shot just over the bar. Just before the break Dave O’Connor got on the end of a free kick but from close range his effort went wide.

The home right back Dom Robertson struck a decent shot from outside the box which forced a fine diving save from Eric Negraru. Scoring chances were at a premium but Baldock looked dangerous when their speedy wingers Jamie Breen and Flavia Dresanu got on the ball and they won a quite a few corners which we managed to deal with.

Probably the best chance of the first half fell to Flavia Dresanu who broke away down the inside right channel in the 38th minutes but Eric Negraru did really well to come out and force him wide and the right winger ended up firing his shot wide of the near post.

All in all it was a fairly drab first 45 minutes with neither side taking control. HT Score 0-0.

Hopes that we would see an improvement in the second half was instantly visible right from the restart. We looked more comfortable on the ball and started to play like we know we can, passing the ball around nicely and dominating possession.

It took just 9 minutes into the second period for our improved performance to bear fruit with a superb goal. Luke Peerless, George Carbery and Frankie Hercules were all involved in the move which led to the ball being played up to Harry Jones on the edge of the area. With his back to goal Harry swivelled round then struck a superb half volley that flew past the keeper. It was a great way for Harry to open his account with the club. Score 0-1.

We were playing some lovely football and a nice move saw Max Hercules feed George Carbery whose shot was nicely saved by the keeper. As the half wore on our hosts started to get back into the game and in the 75th minute they won a succession of corners which ended with George Carbery finally heading away the danger.

Baldock’s young midfielder Archie O’Brien, who had a fine game, twice found himself unmarked in our area but was denied the opportunity to shoot firstly by a great saving tackle from Dave O’Connor and then by some miss control. To their credit our opponents kept going but we looked solid and were in no mood to see a repeat of last season’s game.

We needed a second goal to kill off the game and it duly arrived in the 85th minute. Jack Harvey was the creator when he slipped a lovely pass in the path of Max Hercules who fired home his 2nd goal of the season. Score 0-2.

We still had to be on our toes as the home side pushed forward looking for a way back into the game but we were more solid in defence and were able to see out the remaining minutes without any real trouble to claim a fine away win and a clean sheet. FT Score 0-2.

After the game Manager Ryan Sturges gave the MoM to Dave O’Connor whilst the committee thought that Captain George Carbery was outstanding.

The 3 points pushed us up to 3rd in the table and amazingly after only 2 games played so far only one club has maximum points and that is Leverstock Green who we knocked out of the Herts Charity Shield 3 weeks ago. It would suggest, at this stage anyway, that the League is going to be a closely contested this season.

On Tuesday we entertain Colney Heath who are always tough opponents and who have made a very good start to the season being unbeaten in 5 league/cup games which included a close 2-1 home win over our opponents today – Baldock Town. Hopefully we will have Josh Chamberlain and Giuseppe Delgaudio available for that game.

Team: Eric Negraru, Lee Stobbs (Jamie Ovington 90+2), Harrison Cornick, Tommy Smith, Dave O’Connor, Frankie Hercules (Greg Deer 83), Luke Peerless (Jack Harvey 71), George Carbery (Capt), Max Hercules, Harrison Mead (Harry Shepherd 63), Harry Jones. Subs not used: Adam Sawyer.

Goals:

BT: -

TA: Harry Jones (54), Max Hercules (85)

Crowd: 69