Sunday 16 January 2022

Flackwell Heath 1 v 1 Baldock Town

Saturday 15th January 2022, Kick-off 15.00
Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division
Wilks Park, Flackwell Heath
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.00
Attendance: 140



After planning for virtually every matchday since Christmas has been shrouded in doubt thanks to persistent rain, it was a relief that the forecast today was for dry conditions, meaning I could plan a visit to the outskirts of High Wycombe without much concern for back-ups, to take in a ground that has long since been on my radar, as I had heard it had a fair amount of character about the place.







Wilks Park is about three miles from the nearest train station at High Wycombe, with regular buses plying the route and a Plusbus ticket, available as an add on for train tickets to High Wycombe station, is valid for the route. A fixture board is placed at the entrance of the access lane from the passing road to the ground, with access gained through a turnstile block. It is certainly a breath of fresh air that no modern identikit furniture is to be found here, instead plenty of structures that may be rather weathered, but are all the better for that. Along one length, a couple of gazebos have been erected with picnic tables inside close to the corner flag, whilst straddling the half way line are a couple of old fashioned pitched roofed brick buildings, with the tea bar in one, selling a very decent range of hot and cold refreshments as well as club merchandise, and the changing rooms in the other. Overhang provides cover over a flat standing area in front of the tea bar, while the area in front of changing rooms is only accessible to players and officials. On the opposite side there is a breeze block stand with three or four rows of seating inside. Cover has been attached to the perimeter wall behind both goals, although behind the far end from the entrance there is currently no roof. There is quite a noticeable slope from side to side, sprinklings of club signage enhance the identity of the ground, and there is a nice friendly and welcoming feel about the place.





Flackwell Heath have had a steady season so far, coming into this game in eighth place in the table, following ten wins and two draws from their opening 20 league games. Baldock are facing a battle against relegation though, coming into this game down in 18th place in the 20 club division, just a point above the bottom two, having won four and drawn two of their 19 league games so far.






On a cool, very overcast but mercifully dry afternoon, the hosts started brightly and on the front foot, and on 22 minutes James Keeley struck a shot which came back off the post. And on 32 minutes the hosts took a deserved lead following a quick break, with the Flackwell forward running onto the ball in penalty area, and he showed good composure to pass the ball low into the path of an unmarked Jack Shakespeare, and he guided the ball into the empty net, just before a defender could get a challenge in. But on 39 minutes, the visitors got back on level terms when an inswinging cross found Ashley Hay at the far post, and he headed the ball past the keeper.





The second half was an even and battling affair, with both sides creating some decent openings. On 65 minutes, it was Baldock's turn to be denied by the woodwork, when a lovely curling shot from the edge of the area hit the inside of the far post and bounced across goal. Within a minute, Flackwell Heath had their best chance of the second half when a good touch by Jamie Ayers sent himself clear and running through on goal, but his eventual shot on goal was blocked by the keeper's legs. On 69 minutes, Baldock came agonisingly close again, when a goalbound shot was superbly cleared at full stretch by defender Callum Mapley but on 76 minutes, Mapley was shown a second yellow card and then a red for a mistimed tackle, to reduce the hosts to ten men. Both sides continued to press in the closing minutes but couldn't find a way through, and a point apiece was probably a fair result overall as Baldock came back into the game well in the second half. They certainly played better than their league position suggested, and based on what I saw today, should start to climb the table.




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