Suffolk progressed into the next round of the Herts County Cup on Sunday, winning on penalties against a strong Baldock Town side.

Baldock Town used the wind at their backs to their advantage and put Suffolk under early pressure, which central defensive pair Mat Tillbrook and Niall Hardiman coped with well.

Suffolk just could not get into their stride and were finding it difficult to put passes together.

Josh Godden nearly broke the deadlock, latching onto a Sam Hatton through-ball, but the keeper saved with his legs.

Full-backs Jordan Giorgiou and Nathaniel Botsio had to work hard, as Baldock threatened down the flanks, before some trickery from Russel Alam freed Jack Dyer down the right, and his fierce shot squeezed in by the post.

Baldock kept to their game plan to swamp the midfield and, after a goalmouth melee, forced the ball home to equalise.

Manager Steve Hudson had some strong words for his team half-time, urging them to up the tempo, and for a while they looked to do just that, as Chris Drury and Tim Soane unsettled the Baldock defence.

Then, against the run of play, following some sloppy defending, Baldock took the lead.

Showing their spirit, Suffolk came back into the game and Brian Green's strong run presented a chance for Drury, who expertly turned and shot into the roof of the net.

Both sides pressed for the winner, but, even after extra-time, it remained all-square.

The game went to penalties and it was left to goalkeeper Kevan Marshall to secure the victory, with a full-length save to push away a Baldock penalty.

Suffolk Youth U14s 2(5)

Baldock Town U14s 2(3)

Herts County Cup

October 17, 2001 11:56