LIAM HAS LAST WORD

Kings made seven changes to the previous starting line-up, ensuring that all squad players got a chance to impress, but the tie failed to capture the interest of the paying public. They came up against a resolute, well organised side from the Spartan South Midlands Premier, who kept their shape throughout, forcing Kings to play through them.

Former Under Eighteen keeper Liam Studley was in action as early as the third minute, but although they provided the bulk of the attacking, they had little to show for it, the best being a Louie Collier volley that veered inches past the juncture of post and bar.

The second half started with more of the same, but Kings made the breakthrough as the hour mark approached. Louie Collier crossed from the right, the ball received several near misses and rebounded clearances before falling to Will Hoskins on the left and the experienced striker made no mistake from the edge of the box. He was clear again minutes later, squaring the ball to Mitchell Weiss, but Kings’ ace uncharacteristically side footed the ball past an unguarded post. Town hit the bar on a rare foray, but Kings continued to be profligate in front of goal, an Evans Lamboh first time shot from a Louie Collier cross just past the post and a Harry Crawford header over from a superb Alex Anderson cross. Baldock had more than remained in the game despite their fewer ratio of chances and Liam Studley was called upon to execute a superb tip over with four minutes to go, but the visitors went to the end and got their reward when the young keeper made possibly his only error of the game, choosing to come out to the right wing run of Scott Piggott and seeing the shot nestle in the far corner of the net. That was in the second minute of time added on and condemned the tie straight to penalties.

Stevie Ward buried the first and Alex Coppin did likewise, before Dean Hitchcock was wide of the post and Scott Piggott gave Town the advantage. Harry Crawford blasted the ball home, but a shot of equal ferocity by Alex O’Brien rebounded back from the bar, before Will Hoskins and Charlie Thake kept it level pegging at three each. Kyle Connolly converted with ease, up stepped Paul Morris and Liam Studley dived to his right to palm away the powerful kick and cue the acclaim of his team mates and crown a memorable debut!

Next up we host Peterborough Sports on Saturday 11th January, for the latest odds the the match visit BetVictor

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