No.5 - Sat. 25th August 2007; Herts Senior County Division 1 2.30pm at the Knights Templar Leisure Ctre, Weston Way, Baldock, Herts. (Att: 20; Admn: N/A; Prog: 16pp, £1)
View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 Baldock Town (0) 2 Old Parmiterians (0) 2 It's all better late than never!
The 2007 World Athletics Championships is definitely the highlight of the year for any self-confessed athletics nut! As the track and field action from Osaka started in earnest I was keen not to miss any of the early heats and rounds. So with this in mind I was quite happy watching a local game. The Herts County League match between Baldock Town and Old Parmiterians seemed an ideal choice on such a beautiful sunny autumn afternoon- a new ground, the promise of a programme and a journey taking no more than forty minutes from racing HQ. Perfect. Much has already been published about the current fortunes of Baldock Town since the club gained promotion from the North & Mid Herts League at the end of last season. I suspect many travellers had already attended their opening County League game played a few days earlier; the excellent club website revealed the important match stats: 21/08 v Lemsford, result 2-1). It certainly was a good start to the new campaign. We arrived with plenty of time to spare before the scheduled 2.30pm kick-off. Both teams had completed their warm ups and were ready to start the game on the top pitch at the Knights Templar Sports Fields. However there seemed to be some sort of delay as players and club officials gathered on the touchline. Their collective gaze was turned towards the distant changing rooms as it soon became clear that the appointed referee hadn't turned up yet! The words 'Oh dear' (or something similar) crossed my mind! A helped club official reassured us that the match details had been confirmed with the referee a few days ago and there was no need to worry. Within minutes a solitary figure dressed in black appeared on the horizon and made his way to the pitch. He calmy made his way into the centre circle before greeting his assistants and both captains. It was 2.50pm and game on. Pheww!! The seering heat and a hard bumpy pitch tested both teams. Despite missing several regulars Baldock soon took control of the game and created the most chances. The game was won in the second half when the hosts netted twice to take all three points. It certainly wasn't a classic for the neutral but on balance of possession it was a fair result and maintained Baldock's fine 100% winning start to the season. Disappointingly only twenty spectators were in attendance. A smart unstapled 16 page programme was issued for the game. It contained all the basics with plenty of statistics (tables, results and fixtures), news and reports. Sadly no refreshments were available. Travellers will find that facilities at the Knights Templar Sports Centre are fairly basic at present. The main roped off pitch is some distance from the changing rooms; reaching it involves a bit of a trek by walking across some rough terrain around a new astroturf pitch and then over a grass embankment beyond. A most helpful club official told us that the present site would only be a temporary one until a more permanent base (possibly near to the new A505 Baldock by-pass) was found. He added that it was important for the club to establish itself in the County League first before trying to find an alternative ground. The club can easily be reached from the A505 and the A1(M). Turn off towards Baldock town centre and after half a mile turn left down Weston Way. The Knights Templar Sports Centre is on the left hand side. Further directions and information can be found on the excellent club website (see link below). Being close to the motorway brings with it the constant stream of noisy traffic passing behind the ground. And finally: FGIF match rating: 2*. A thoroughly enjoyable visit and recommended to all travellers (in better weather). Incidentally the goal posts must be the rustiest ones in the league?! edited on 22/08/07
