Sat 26th Oct 2019
Spartan South Midlands Premier Division
Baldock Town 1-0 TAFC First team
BALDOCK TOWN V TRING ATHLETIC F C - 26TH OCTOBER 2019
MATCH REPORT
This match turned on an incident around the twenty minute mark, which resulted in the dismissal of Jay Lovell for violent conduct. Very few people saw what happened. Certainly the referee didnt and relied on his assistant to guide him to his decision. Whatever the rights or wrongs of that decision, it was astonishing that the opposition player didnt suffer the same fate as a cut on Jays head was an indication that he had been the victim of foul play.
Heres the rub. We have had four dismissals this season and have lost each one of those matches. When the opposition against us had a player sent off, they lost. So, working it out isnt difficult if you have a player sent off, you will lose the match. It is a lesson we are learning the hard way, but wed better learn it soon otherwise our promotion hopes will be severely jeopardised.
The pill was almost more bitter as, even with only 10 men (and nine for 10 minutes when Charlie Mann was sin-binned), Baldock didnt greatly trouble us. Their goal in the 30th minutes was out of the blue and one of the very few shots they had on target. We dominated possession and territory in the second half but failed to create chances. The only decent one we had was not taken when, in the 50th minute, Oran Swales smashed his shot against the crossbar.
It was a niggly affair, befitting the conditions which were dank and dismal. The referees performance was in keeping with the match poor quality and uninspiring. One of the few shining lights was our majestic centre half, Tommy Fletcher, who took everything in his stride, giving an exemplary, composed performance, and one which should be looked by others as an example.
Clearly our goal threat has dried up. It seems only a short while ago that we were luxuriating in our potent goal machine and anxious that our back four wasnt water-tight. Things have turned around, as one goal scored in the last three games indicates. We will correct this, without doubt.
In a long season you will always get days when things dont seem to go for you. The test of a really good squad is the resilience shown in face of setback. Come on boys! Two wins needed this week!
Att. 92