Swans fight for exciting 3-3 draw at Thackley
20th November 2019Barton Town were involved in a 3-3 draw away at Thackley on Tuesday night.
It was a madcap game, which saw Thackley take a two goal lead through Asa Mitchell and Simon Poole before Chris Salt pulled one back before half time. Waide Fairhurst equalized for Barton late on before Owen Murphy restored Thackley’s lead. Seconds later Ben Hinchliffe scored to round off a crazy final ten minutes at Dennyfield.
There were 13 players at boss Craig Denton’s disposal, with Pete Winn, Luke Foster and new signing Robbie Start all unavailable.
| # | Player |
| 1 | Sam Riches |
| 2 | Tom Waudby 🔻Barkworth 65 |
| 3 | Will Waudby |
| 4 | Aaron Brettell |
| 5 | Chris Salt ⚽ 🟡 |
| 6 | Matt Plummer |
| 7 | Adam Millson |
| 8 | Craig Disley (c) ⭐ |
| 9 | Marc Cooper 🔻Rogerson 65 |
| 10 | Waide Fairhurst ⚽ |
| 11 | Ben Hinchliffe ⚽ |
| 12 | Eddie Rogerson 🔺Cooper 65 |
| 14 | Ellis Barkworth 🔺T. Waudby 65 |
Barton started brightly, with a couple of chances through Marc Cooper and Hinchliffe, the latter’s shot going just wide. The Swans were made to pay for these missed chances however.
13 minutes in the ball fell to Thackley top scorer Mitchell, who slotted the ball past Sam Riches to score his 12th goal of the season. It came against the run of play but Barton continued to pepper the goal with chances.
A lovely turn and shot from Fairhurst was blocked before Hinchliffe’s follow up effort went just over the bar. Moments later Fairhurst had another attempt which went just wide. Yet again the Swans were punished for their spurned chances as Thackley doubled their lead.
A nice cross into the area was met by the head of Poole, who headed past Riches to make the score 2-0. Barton had had their chances, but failed to capitalize on any of them.
Moments after the half hour mark the Swans won a free kick in a threatening area. Swans skipper Craig Disley swung the ball in and Swans defender Salt rose highest to beat the ‘keeper and head the ball in for his first goal in sky blue.
Barton had one more chance before half time, with Will Waudby swinging in a fantastic ball for Hinchliffe, whose header went just wide.
After the break the game fell quiet, Barton were restricted in their chances and Thackley were dealt with by the Swans defence. On the hour mark Riches was called into action as he pulled off a fantastic save with his feet to deny Thackley.
The two substitutes Eddie Rogerson and Ellis Barkworth were introduced with 25 minutes to go, with Cooper and Tom Waudby making way.
Hinchliffe broke free and was one on one with the ‘keeper, but he could only put his effort in the side netting.
The Swans finally equalized on 82 minutes when a corner was swung in and in a melee of bodies Fairhurst managed to get the final touch as the ball rolled over the line. A well deserved equalizer.
Three minutes later however Thackley had retaken their lead. A free kick went into the area, with Riches missing the ball, allowing Murphy to tap the ball home for Thackley. Their lead would last seconds however.
Barton went straight on the attack and won a corner. In an almost mirror image to the previous corner, the ball came in, wasn’t cleared, and this time Hinchliffe got the final touch.
The Swans top scorer had looked under pressure all night, but he finally got the goal his performance deserved.
The game ended 3-3, with Barton securing a point, their first draw of the season which lifts the Swans up to 17th.
