A week earlier Magnum came to Bakers Close and inflicted The Reds first home league defeat of the season, stealing all three points with a 2-1 win. On the day, The Reds performance fell well below-par and the 2-1 scoreline flattered us, as the defeat could and should have been far more convincing.

The Reds arrived for the Benevolent Shield First Round tie, determined to prove a point. The performance the week before was so typical of The Reds inconsistent form this season and they wanted to make sure the records were put straight this time out.

The game started very physically and tackles were soon flying around, with The Reds trying to impose themselves on the match early on. It was 10 minutes before either side really created anything of any note. A flowing move from the left involving Nick Blenkin ended with Richard Harman going close.

The same player went close moments later when a long Crow throw-in saw Harman drag agonisingly wide after good work by Wilsher. Magnum then tried to get a strangle hold on the match as they had 15 minutes of good possession and pressure, but Hoy and Callum Rusbridge once again held things together well at the back.

From half an hour gone right up to the half time whistle, The Reds created all of the best chances. Wilsher, who was understandably 'rusty' after two weeks out injured, was the main culprit, unable to convert three clearcut chances. Hoy, Ryall and Blenkin also had chances to give Baldock the lead before the break, but as both sides went in at the break, Magnum would have considered themselves lucky to be level, as Baldock's finishing touch eluded them.

Baldock came out in the second period and started on the back foot, as Magnum tried to make their downhill advantage count. They enjoyed a great 15 minute spell where they threw everything at The Reds, but once again the superb Baldock defence held firm as they had done throughout.

Baldock had chances of their own, as the match began to swing from one end of the pitch to the other. Anyone could've won it, as Magnum wasted chances and Wilsher and Harman had chances to nick it for The Reds. In the last minute the debutant keeper made two excellent saves to deny Magnum victory right at the death.

The match went into extra-time and it really became survival of the fittest, as both sides tried to just give that bit extra that would clinch it. Baldock found that bit extra and finally broke the deadlock after 95 minutes.

Mat Ryall jinked superbly in the box to get round the back and he superbly laid the ball on a plate for Lee Harman who stroked in left-footed, his 20th of the season, in off the far post from close range.

It was long final 25 minutes for The Reds as Magnum piled forward to try and take the match to penalties, but after some great defending, particularly by Man of the Match Matt Hoy and another great save by the debutant keeper, Baldock managed to hold out and book a deserved Quarter-Final spot.

Baldock were able to get revenge on Magnum, but if The Reds were honest, they would probably have preferred three precious points rather than a second round place in the Benevolent Shield.

Line up;

1. Adam Lawrence
2. Sam Crow
3. Callum Rusbridge
4. Ross Woodbridge (c)
5. Matt Hoy
6. Richard Harman
7. Mat Ryall
8. Lee Rusbridge
9. Nick Blenkin
10. Lewis Wilsher
11. Lee Harman

12. Michael Masters
14. Tim Blenkin