Baldock, fresh from their midweek win against Hertford Heath which took them top of the table, visited in-form Lemsford and scored six to ensure they remained at the summit of the Herts Senior County League Premier Division.

The hosts started much the brighter and hit the cross bar within the opening 10 seconds!  Then followed a succession of corners as Baldock just couldn’t get into the game, but after Ben Lowden cleared his lines from within the 18 yard box, Jack Gregson played a neat one-two with Lee Rogers and ran half the length of the pitch before coolly finishing.  This settled Baldock and they began to create a few chances, albeit on the break, as Lemsford continued to push forward at every opportunity. 

Harry Holland had a great chance to double the lead but delayed his effort giving the Lemsford defence chance to block.  Further chances came and went for Gregson and Skelton as Baldock enjoyed hitting the home side on the counter at will.

After 25 minutes, the influential Lee Rogers slipped in Craig Skelton who collided with Lemsford ‘keeper Russell Owen and the keeper took a few minutes to get to his feet and looked a doubt as to whether he’d be able to continue.  With this in mind Connor Pennery struck a glorious 30 yard effort above Owen’s head and all he could do was watch as it flew past him.  Baldock were 2-0 up and Owen limped off meaning they had to play an outfield player in goal for the remaining hour of the game.

At half time, the Baldock management spoke of keeping the game tight early on as Lemsford continued to look dangerous, but this obviously fell on deaf ears as the home side got themselves back in the game within a minute.  Poor defending from a corner allowed Alex McDonald an easy tap in from 6 yards and it was well and truly game on. 

Baldock then went up a gear and another 30 yarder from Pennery put Baldock 3-1 up and when Holland’s quick feet were too much for the Lemsford defence, the Baldock striker fired into the roof of the net from 6 yards out. 

This should have been game, set and match, especially as Gregson, Skelton and Holland all had further opportunities to increase the lead, but Lemsford’s never say die attitude kept them going and Bradley Anderson capitalised on some lacklustre defending to make it 4-2.  When Matthew Harris scored to make it 4-3, Baldock looked a side without shape and leadership and all of a sudden the victory was in major doubt.

But regardless of how Baldock seem to play, they’ll always create chances and Gregson showed his quality by finding the top corner directly from a free kick 25 yards out after Holland was fouled yet again. 

Rhys Davies finished the scoring with a powerful shot when put through, but Town Manager Steve King was still disappointed at the three soft goals his team let in and also for allowing Lemsford to get back into a game that should have been dead and buried with half hour to play.

1st Team:  Farmer, Beckwith, Stillwell, Lowden, Morgan, Shelley(Davies), Rogers, Pennery(Crow), Skelton, Holland(Mongston), Gregson

MoM:  Ben Lowden sponsored by Paul King