Baldock visited Croxley Guild on Saturday afternoon and put in a top drawer performance as they look to regain their best form for the second half of the season.

Croxley Guild came to Baldock only a fortnight ago and could consider themselves slightly unlucky to leave on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline, but Baldock were simply too good and too strong for their opponents in the return fixture. 

The opening 20 minutes saw Baldock enjoy virtually all the possession and had a succession of corners and free kicks.  The opening goal seemed only a matter of time for the visitors and it duly came after 21 minutes.  Neil Morgan crossed superbly and Rob Beckwith arrived right on time at the far post to start a goalscoring frenzy

The travelling Baldock support only had to wait a minute for the second.  After good work from Gregson, Craig Skelton was brought down in the box and the referee didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot and top scorer Harry Holland coolly despatched. 

Nicky Stillwell scored a great third after more good work down the left and Gregson made it 4-0 when he chipped over the keeper when sent through.

The opening four goals came in a 15 minute burst, but the fifth goal was the pick of them.  Gregson sprang the offside trap and the onrushing keeper handled outside the box giving the visitors a free kick 25 yards out.  The referee generously kept the red card in his pocket, but the next thing the Croxley ‘keeper had to do was pick the ball out of his net as Gregson dusted himself down to superbly score directly from the free kick.

The second half started as the first had finished with Gregson completing his hat trick within 30 seconds of the restart.  Good work down the right saw Skelton cross and Gregson power home a strong header from the penalty spot for arguably his best of the day. 

New signing Connor Pennery came off the bench to score with his first touch making it 7-0 with still over half an hour to play.  He then scored direct from a free kick to complete the rout as Baldock took their foot off the gas.

Manager Steve King said “I’m delighted with the whole performance.  All the goals were well taken and we didn’t score a scrappy one!  Clean sheets are always pleasing and for the second week running, our opponents didn’t have a single shot on target.” 

Croxley Guild visit Gaunts Way on Saturday in the Aubrey Cup for the third meeting between the teams in four weeks (2pm kick off).

1st Team: Farmer, Stillwell, Woodley (Mitchell), Lowden, Morgan, Smith, Rogers, Gregson, Skelton, Beckwith (Pennery), Holland