Baldock Totally Eclipsed At Second Time Of Asking

Slough Town

Slough Town

5
Brazil (16) Hardyman (29) Browne (44, 81) Abbott (86)
Baldock Town

Baldock Town

0
FA Cup Attendance: 259 Corey Browne
THE Rebels swept into the second qualifying round of the FA Cup at Wexham Park on Tuesday when they brushed aside a flimsy Baldock Town outfit at the second attempt.

The wonder of it is that they they needed so much time, so wide was the gulf between the Conference club and opponents struggling at the foot of Dr Marten's League Division One.

But the Rebels took full advantage of the opportunity to boost confidence dented by erratic league form with a comprehensive victory.

With Gary Brazil paving the way with a 16th minute volley from the edge of the area, strikers Corey Browne, with two goals, and Gary Abbott also hit the target - and all three missed on countless other occasions.

Paul Hardyman added Slough's second in the 29th minute, driving in from the left to unleash a redhot shot which Baldock keeper Paul Marshall could only spill into his own net.

Having already struck the upright, Browne took on and beat two defenders before curling the ball from a tight angle into the bottom far corner for Slough's third in the 44th minute.

The Rebels these days seem to be at their best when there is an element of desperation in their play - then there is thunder and lightning in the blood.

However they sheathed the long knives after the interval and were for long periods unable to break free of the gridlock around the Baldock penalty area.

The chances still came as Brazil and Bolt brought out good saves from Marshall, Garry Smart smacked the base of the post while Abbott and Browne regularly threatened.

But it took until the 81st minute for the fourth goal to come, Tony Nolan's cross from the right turned neatly in by Browne at the near post.

Abbott, who just a few minutes before had headed Bolt's corner cross just over the crossbar, found the mark when an identical opportunity presented itself in the 86th minute.

A partial eclipse of the moon provided an elegant backdrop to the proceedings and the final whistle coincided with the completion of this particular silent performance.

Back on earth Baldock were in the end totally eclipsed by the Rebels for whom just 259 stargazers turned out, fewer even than for the first encounter four days earlier.

Baldock Town Lineup

Marshall, Swaile, Turner, Thomas, Simpson, Nevin, Doyle, Catmur, Guile, Abbey, Gold. Subs: Bearman (45, for Catmur), Brittain (85, for Doyle), Hall.

Rebels

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