SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

LONDON LIONS 1 BALDOCK TOWN 4

In a very even first half it was actually the hosts who settled the quicker, and for their enterprise were rewarded when Jake Furman’s drive found the net to give Lions the lead.

Baldock were never out of it though, and in truth controlled the tempo of the game and the bulk of possession. But Lions were resolute defensively and limited the visitors to rare sights of James Harpin’s goal, although quite how their excellent striker managed to miss a free header from barely a yard out is a mystery.

Baldock had a number of free-kicks, but Lions stood up well to see off the danger and, in truth, looked a real threat on the break. They were unlucky not to double their lead when a dipping volley from Liron Mannie struck the top of the bar and a rapid Adam Burchell break saw his curled effort clip the post.

Lions went into the break full of confidence therefore, but it was a different Baldock who came at them from the off. Having spurned three great chances to equalise, they finally drew level when Adam Lipman’s desperate effort to block a ball across saw it deflect off him and in.

And when minutes later Harpin fumbled a routine catch, Baldock were gifted the lead out of nothing and with it Lions heads dropped. 

The visitors turned the screw, adding a third from the penalty spot and a late fourth in controversial manner that led to an altercation that saw Lipman and a visiting player given their marching orders.

A disappointing result, but the Lions side move on starting with Risborough at the weekend as they build up to the cup final on the March 20.