Sandy Tournament: 1st September 2007
Venue: Sunderland Road Rec'n ground, Sandy
This was only a warm up tournament for the upcoming season. (20 minute matches)
Game 1: Baldock 2-0 Garden City Rangers
The opening game was against a weak looking Garden City Rangers side who finished 2nd bottom of the Royston crow under 15 division 3 the previous season. We had beaten them 3 times last season (3-2, 4-1, 4-2). This was a good chance for new signings Hobson, Reeves and Slack to get some football under their belt and a 2nd debut was given to Hart. The game was quick going with Baldock taking the lead with in 5 minutes all thanks to a volley from A. Slack and it was him again 3 minutes later to make it 2-0. Our keeper Barton nearly gifted Garden City a goal when he spilt a easy ball what was put over the top of the defence but fortunately from the angle the Garden City Striker went for glory and hit over. Half time did approach and leading goalscorer from last season Fletcher was put on for Harrison despite the front 2 playing excellent football. No real big chances happened and Baldock tried to hang on for all 3 points and a clean sheet. Garden City had only 1 shot on goal all game which went just over. Fletcher picked up a head injury late on and was forced off with just a minute to go. The final whistle was blown and it was a good start to the tournament for Baldock.
Game 2: Baldock 1-0 Sandy Colts
The team was to be the team who finished the last game. New to our division was the hosts Sandy Colts who we played in a friendly on AstroTurf last season and came out 3-2 victors. This game once more was dominated by Baldock just like last seasons encounter. We went close with a couple of long range strikes but found the opener with a couple of minutes to go before the half. A penalty was awarded in favour of Baldock and 1st to the ball was A. Slack. Without Brooking for penalty duties A. Slack had the chance to make it 3 goals in 2 games. He put it to the keepers bottom right with his left foot and the ball slipped through the keepers hands and into the back of the net. The second half was slightly more entertaining. Sandy couldn't get out there own half and Baldock applied more pressure but couldn't find a second goal. Sandy eventually got the ball forward and in the last minute got the ball into our 18 yard box and released a first shot of the match which Barton parried. The ball was past Barton and there was a Sandy player to slot the ball home but to Baldocks relief it was disallowed for offside. Baldock escaped and hung on for a deserved 1-0 win which put us in contention to win the tournament!
Game 3: Baldock 0-0 Caldicot Town
A village team who Baldock had never met before entered the tournament despite not being in the Royston Crow leagues for the upcoming season. A local side near Sandy appeared on paper to be weaker than Baldock but had already shocked Bennington after a good comeback after being 2 goals down. This game proved difficult for Baldock and were getting dominated in the air by Caldicot. The balled stayed in the centre of the pitch for most the game and there speedy left winger was causing problems. We had managed to keep out some corners and balls into the box thanks to some good defending and kept solid like we had been doing throughout the last 2 games. Baldock only really had a couple of chances, the best of them coming when Durkins free kick from the left just inside the Caldicot half was wiped in and just missed everyone nearly finding its way into the back of the net but it sneaked just wide with 1 bounce. No real chances were created by either side and it always looked like a draw was on the cards. The game did finish 0-0.
Game 4: Baldock 0-3 Bennington youth
Knowing a win will win the tournement for Baldock they faced an inform Bennington side who finished 4th the previous season in division 3. We had won 5-2 and 4-1 against them last season but on our home soil, but did go down 5-0 at Benningtons ground. Bennington looked a strong force and where hard to break down as we looked for goals but only to be countered and the first goal was pocked into the bottom right corner and just 5 minutes later they lost our midfield and left 2 on 2 and with Benningtons pace it looked like 2 but the defence forced them out to the right and more bodies got back only for there forward to turn past our left back and cut through 2 players and calmly slot home. At half time Baldock had to get straight down to business and brang on Durkin and Slack despite picking up a knee injury. They also put pacey centre back Hobson up front to form a 4-3-3 formation! We played better and forced them into many mistakes but couldn't take our chances and with Benningtons pace it tired our players and they countered once more to put the game beyond doubt. We got frustrated and tried our best to find a consolation goal. With seconds to go we got countered again and the Bennington striker took it past our keeper and just before he made it an humiliation the referee blew the full time whistle. Our tournament chances were ruined but did finish runners up to Bennington.
next up: Garden City Rangers
Away at Icknield School, Archers way, Letchworth.
Sunday 9th September 2007, 10:30am KO
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