Garden City come out on top against Baldock Town Letchworth

Baldock Town Letchworth 1

Letchworth Garden City Eagles 3

LETCHWORTH Garden City Eagles claimed local honours on Wednesday when they made the short trip to the County Ground and came away with all three points after a hard fought match.

The win sees the Eagles remain unbeaten since promotion to the Premier Division, while Baldock have already slipped to two defeats from four after a good season last time out.

The game was played at a high pace with both sides’ conflicting styles making for an entertaining spectacle.

Baldock had more joy in the opening exchanges with their direct approach, while the visitors fashioned plenty of opportunities themselves with a more patient build up.

Jack Gregson was the home side’s biggest threat, but Eagles debutant ‘keeper Dan Boon was on hand to block an early effort with his feet while Joe Tyler made an important tackle on the rebound.

Baldock’s wingers were getting a lot of joy by latching on to long balls over the top and were unlucky to be denied a penalty, but Eagles’ well marshalled backline ensured that Boon was rarely troubled especially in the first half.

The opening goal was straight out of the top draw. Eagles forced a corner on the right hand side, which Rob Groves played short to Mitch Cox. He then rolled it back to the midfielder, who unleashed a bullet of a shot into the far corner.

Baldock came out fighting in the second half and eventually forced an equaliser when Furness bundled in after a deep free kick.

Both teams were now determined to push on for the win and it was the Eagles who eventually made the breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining.

A long ball over the top by Groves was collected by Lee Pateman, who intelligently rolled across the box for strike partner Jay Drackford to make it 2-1.

Eagles were then happy to play on the break, but nearly played the price when Gregson burst into the area and flicked a shot against the post.

The rebound bounced across the line and David Locke did brilliantly to scramble the ball clear.

Mitchell Cox then cleared off the line after a close range header was powered in from a corner.

It proved to be Baldock’s last chance as substitutes Mitch Crook and Dave Morbin combined for Morbin to seal the victory in stoppage time with a calm finish from close range.

This Saturday (September 4) the Eagles host Croxley Guild from 3pm on Pixmore Playing Fields whilst Baldock Town Letchworth are at home to Milton United in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round.

Baldock Town Letchworth: Farmer, Crow, Stilwell (Rusbridge), Morgan, Beadsworth, Pennery, Fortune, Gregson, J Furness (Davies), Nunn (Mongston), Turner. Subs not used: Lowden, A Furness.

Letchworth GC Eagles: Boon, McGennity, Mitchell, Garwood, Locke, Platt (Morbin), Tyler, Cox, Groves, Drackford (Crook), Pateman. Subs: Genesis, De La Salle, Holt.