Frickley Athletic 1-0 Swans – First friendly ends in narrow loss
15th August 2020| Frickley Athletic | 1-0 | Barton Town |
| Margetts 52 |
Barton Town’s first pre-season friendly ended in a narrow defeat to step four side Frickley Athletic at Westfield Lane.
Jonathan Margetts’ strike 52 minutes in separated the sides as the Swans were playing their first game in five months. The Swans had chances to equalize but couldn’t take any as Frickley took the win.
A largely uneventful first half saw Swans ‘keeper Charles Dixon come off injured with a dead leg. There were only a few absentees for the Swans, with the likes of Josh Batty, Grant Tait, and Luke Wheeldon all unavailable.
The second half saw the Swans starting to find their feet, with more chances coming, but it was the hosts who took the lead.
The ball bounced up and ex-Hull and Lincoln City player Margetts volleyed it past the Swans ‘keeper and gave Frickley the lead. Seconds later Barton were almost level. Luke Anderson got into a fantastic space, but his touch was too heavy, and the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
Frickley were keen to double their lead but the new Swans defence of Taron Hare, Chaz Fisher and Scott Matthews held firm. Anderson had another chance but his effort was straight at the ‘keeper. Barton’s other chance fell to Ryan Caulfield, but again his effort was straight at the Frickley ‘keeper who saved and parried it.
The Swans and boss Rob Watson will take a lot of positives from the game, as they travel to Hall Road Rangers on Wednesday night.
Swans team (First Half): Dixon, Lacey, Start, Fisher, Hare, Matthews, Baker, Disley, Anderson, Burdett, Hinchliffe.
(Second Half): Trialist, Lacey, Plummer, Fisher, Hare, Matthews, Millson, Peat, Anderson, Burdett, Caulfield.