It was an efficient display with solid performances throughout the side, with Nick Stilwell keeping his fourth consecutive clean sheet and plenty of chances created at the other end. The Reds started positively and Bowskill tested the Hinton goalkeeper early on after some good work down the right hand side, Dougherty then blazed a left footed effort over the bar and some dangerous balls into the box were well dealt with by the home defence. Hinton almost took the lead against the run of play, as their striker’s header grazed the crossbar after losing his marker. Shortly after though Baldock had the lead, Kane Dougherty deftly touching the ball past the defender and side-footing home after he raced onto Louis Taylor’s flick. Hinton weren’t going to lie down and let The Reds take the points and again they threatened on the counter attack, this time a combination of great blocking by Stilwell and Lowden denied the centre forward for a second time. Baldock began to settle on the ball and played some excellent football, so it was no surprise when they doubled their lead. Neil Morgan thought he had scored as he volleyed home Dougherty’s flick from close range, only to see play pulled back for a handball in the area, and Anthony Bowskill made no mistake from the resultant spot-kick to make it 2-0 at the break.

Hinton seemed to return to the field of play fired up after a dressing down at half-time, constantly looking a threat from set-pieces thanks to their strength in the air. Credit had to be given to Stilwell and the Baldock defence though as they kept them at bay at each time of asking, and it was the away side who created the better chances as the half wore on. Louis Taylor was unlucky to see his powerful drive palmed away by the goalkeeper, and Dougherty and Bowskill each had a couple of efforts from outside the area which were well saved. Baldock thought they finally had their third, but Scott Rennie’s header from a Dougherty free-kick was ruled out by a marginal offside decision. By this time there was some strong challenges being put in by Hinton as they became frustrated and Taylor was booked for his reaction to being on the receiving end of one such tackle. The introduction of Derek Newton caused the home defence further problems and, after spurning one good chance when sent clear, he finished impressively only to see his effort chalked off once again for offside. Overall an excellent display away at a notoriously tough place to travel, Baldock will be returning to Hinton this weekend to attempt a repeat performance in the Aubrey Cup.