This was a local derby with a difference in given that this ground is home to both Clubs but hopes were high for a Baldock Town win.
Baldock fielded a slightly different side with a new partnership in the centre of defence with Furness moving out to left wing back.
Baldock had the first attempt on goal with Furness making ground on the left to cutback to Aldridge who’s shot was deflected wide. Unfortunately Baldock lost a soft goal in 8 mins when a mistake by the Baldock Keeper, Skinner, allowed Arlesey a very soft goal. Undeterred by this Baldock took charge and pressed on the Arlesey goal with Furness having the best of the chances after 20 mins when he met a Rome corner, unchallenged, and headed over from close range.
In 37 mins Laing had a long punt from out wide on the right which had the Keeper worried but it went past the far post. A few mins later on the other side Furness made his way into the box and battled to keep the ball, this allowed Baldock to get players in the box to the back post awaiting the cross. A clearance was made out to Turner who picked it up 30 yards out on the left and then sent in the desired cross to the back post but the Keeper, who was more worried about the Baldock players gathered there forgot to intercept it and it went straight in. No doubt Turner will argue that he saw the Keeper off his line and skilfully put it over his head but who cares - a goal is a goal and very special to get one on your first team debut.
There was really only one team in it at this point and just a couple of mins after that one we got a candidate for the goal of the season. White picked up the ball close to half way and took the Arlesey defence by surprise by taking the ball at top speed straight towards the Arlesey box. At the edge of the box he played a short pass to Hayes who blasted it high into the far top corner of the goal from the corner of the box. Great goal.
Baldock 2-1 up at half time, although a bit biased I thought it should have been at least 3-1.

Arlesey came a bit more into the game in the second half but Baldock were holding out OK. With Coppin back in midfield and battling in front of the defensive line we were looking good. In 55 mins Baldock were back in attack mode with a Rome header saved followed by a Coppin shot going narrowly past the left hand post. A couple of mins later Aldridge took a high ball from Hay on his chest and and got a shot off which was saved by the Keeper. Furness then battled into the box from the left, again, throwing the Arlesey defence into a bit of a panic but that move was given offside. In 75 mins Aldridge and White broke forward and found Hay inside the box who turned and shot but the Keeper saved with his foot. Baldock continued in attack mode with a Rome shot from the edge of the box which the Keeper saved although a bit unsighted.
Arlesey managed their first shot on goal of the second half in 72 mins but Skinner saved a good low shot on difficult ground.
Baldock then lost another soft goal when the Arlesey player had a tap in at the back post, following a low cross. It could have been offside.
Baldock have always battled this season and have an immense work rate and they continued to push right to the end but they will be ruing not being able to convert more of the many chances that they had. It should have been a win.

I liked the look of Mitchell who looks to be well experienced, but may be playing out of position in the centre of defence. The very tall Turner on a call up from the Reserves also looked confident and even got a goal. This Baldock team should be much higher up this League than they are, we just need a bit more luck and we will pull well clear of the bottom of the table. I am betting on a big win next week to kick off the New Year. This was a good game and well worth watching.

Team; Skinner, Laing, Furness, Turner, Mitchell, Coppin, Gaffney, White, Hay, Rome, Aldridge. Subs; Downes, Trott, Joy, Harpur.

Report by J.Graham, BTFC Fan. Any views expressed are my own and inaccuracies my fault.