Swans held by Winterton after last gasp equaliser

Barton Town were held to a draw by local rivals Winterton Rangers after an equaliser deep in stoppage time saw the points shared.

A tense and evenly fought contest throughout, the Swans took the lead with 15 minutes to go when Tom Waudby scored his 60th Barton Town goal with a trademark header. A melee in the Swans area deep in added time saw Paul Grimes squeeze the ball over the line to rescue a point for Rangers.

The only change to the squad was Hull City loanee Ben Voase in goal in place of the injured Charlie Dixon. There were a host of ex-Swans in the Winterton squad, including Nathan Popple, Jack Varley and Luke Anderson.

It took just three minutes for the Swans to have a chance. Ben Hinchliffe, rejuvenated from scoring his 50th Barton goal last week, was given the ball on the six yard line. His back to goal, he controlled it and shot on the turn, his effort saved by Popple at close range.

The game fell into an end to end affair, with little chances, due to two excellent defences cancelling each other out. Nathan Hotte was on hand to deny the visitors when a cross in was about to find Grimes at the back post. His last ditch touch put it out for a corner.

Ten minutes before the break there was an excellent passage of play from the Swans, as Hinchliffe played it to Craig King, before getting it back and playing another one-two, this time with Tom Waudby. The striker was in on goal but his shot was well saved by Popple. The thorn in Barton’s side.

New ‘keeper Ben Voase was forced into action soon after when an overhead kick was well saved and cleared. Hotte had a chance from the edge of the box just before the break but it was goalless at the break.

There were chances apiece just after the break for Tom Waudby and Josh Walker but neither bore fruit. Just as in the first half, the second half descended into end to end football with little action in the areas.

Just after the hour mark the Swans started turning the screw, piling on the pressure as Will Waudby had an excellent chance to break the deadlock but his left footed shot in space was saved by Popple.

On 73 minutes the Swans made a double change with Henry Parr and Nathan Jarman coming on, both making an immediate impact. Jarman was bullying the Winterton defence and played it to Parr. He swung a ball in for Tom Waudby, who had a free header. He headed it past Popple to score his sixth of the season. In doing so he surpassed Ash Lattimore on the goalscoring charts.

The final ten minutes were about trying to limit Winterton, but they began to put on the pressure. A sequence of free kicks came to nothing. The Swans looked to hang on, until the 94th minute.

Lee Ridley put the ball into the area, with the shot saved by Voase. He got to the rebound but the ball was kicked loose from his grasp. Grimes was on hand to tap in the loose ball, much to the dismay of the Swans, who believed a foul should’ve been given for a foul on Voase. The goal stood, and the Swans were pegged back and settled for a point.