Great Chishill 2 Ashdon Villa 2 CHISHILL were left frustrated on Saturday as Ashdon Villa held them to a draw. The hosts were determined to start the game better than they have in recent weeks, when they have fallen behind early. They certainly l

Great Chishill 2 Ashdon Villa 2

CHISHILL were left frustrated on Saturday as Ashdon Villa held them to a draw.

The hosts were determined to start the game better than they have in recent weeks, when they have fallen behind early.

They certainly looked the better side in the opening stages. Defending resiliently against a strong wind, they played some neat football, and took the lead after 20 minutes when Steve McGee weaved his way through the defence to score from close range.

However, they were quickly pegged back when Villa capitalised on a defensive mix-up that gifted the striker an undeserved equaliser.

Chishill were pleased with their first half performance, and were positive they could win the game in the second half, especially as they had the wind behind them.

They put the visitors under pressure early in the second period, and then edged themselves back into the lead, when Oli Fitzgerald latched on to Gareth Edey's pass down the right, to score from a tight angle.

They missed out on a third when Nick Bramwell's volleyed effort from a corner went just wide. After that the visitors had their best spell, refusing to give up the fight, and got an equaliser when Villa's Michael Pipe rose unchallenged in the box to head home a free-kick.

Chishill looked for a winner in the closing stages but never carved out enough opportunities and had to settle for a point in the end.

Chishill: Gallagher, R Drury, Gardiner, E Drury, Bramwell, Radford, Fitzgerald, Edey, Jackson, McGee, J Drury. Subs: Wilson, Burrows.

London Colney A 1 Baldock Town 2 (aet)

Baldock Town made it two semi-final victories in consecutive weeks with a scrappy 2-1 win after extra time against a dogged Colney side in the Benevolent Shield.

Baldock arrived at Cotlandswick and discovered a playing surface that was rock hard with potholes, which was not fit for a kick-about let alone a semi-final tie. Referee Brian Robson was left with little option but to call the match off. After some negotiation an a few phone calls the game was moved to Parmiters School in Garston.

Baldock were without influential skipper Lee Buck and wideman Michael Masters, but Lee Rusbridge became the first player to play 100 matches for the club and captained the side in Buck's absence.

The hosts got their noses in front early on when Mark Nunn was robbed of possession on the half-way line. A quick through pass put in a Colney forward and he made no mistake, leaving McEwan with no chance.

Baldock began to regain their composure and create some decent chances, but it took until the 35th minute for Baldock to draw level.

Good work on the right by Harry Holland saw him check back onto his left foot to cross for Wilsher, who glanced in the header at the near post for his eighth goal of the season.

As Baldock huffed and puffed the hosts very nearly got smash and grab at the other end. With the Reds defence horribly exposed, they had to call on keeper McEwan to pull off a good save to keep the tie level.

With the scrappy affair heading for extra time, Nunn very nearly grabbed a winner in the 89th minute.

A neat one-two between Nunn and Rusbridge down the right saw the latter cross and after the keeper fumbled, Nunn rounded the keeper and then somehow blazed wide.

After a goalless first extra period, it finally was to be Nunn's day when he put Baldock ahead in the 112th minute.

Colney could only half clear from a corner, the ball was helped back in and Nunn was quickest to react and he toe-poked past the keeper to grab an unlikely winner when it seemed the tie was destined for spot kicks.