Dev Squad inflict first defeat on Immingham and go top

Report by Simon Burnett

The Development squad played away to Immingham this weekend who averaged almost five goals per game and were the only other unbeaten side in the league alongside ourselves. We had the meanest defence so far only shipping one goal so far in the league so was going to be a great game.

Another poor surface which didn’t really suit either team so it was bound to be scrappy at times and it was but both sides were desperate to win this one.

First 15/20 minutes both teams battled hard with most of the game contested in Midfield with Parker, Forman and Rigo clashing with Immingham midfielders trying to carve out chances. Plenty of balls were slotted through to our forwards with Salter, Finley and Burnett creating space but the ball wouldn’t fall quite right.

Then some fantastic play from the back by MOTM Jamahl Palfreyman down the right hand side slotted Salter down the wing who looped a ball from the corner of the box over the keeper and in for his second goal of the season and to put the Swans 1-0 up.

With confidence high we pushed for more with Finley hitting the bar. Immingham were getting balls forward but Kuehn, Croft , Palfreyman, Hiley and Brandrick were dealing with everything and frustrating our high scoring opponents who hadn’t failed to score all season.

Second half was more of the same with Burnett hitting the bar with a left foot strike after good play and more chances being carved out as both sides pushed for the critical second goal.

Midway through the second half Forman curved a great ball from the right down the middle and an Immingham defender got a slight head to and Burnett reacted quickest to slot the second Barton goal home and his fifth of the season. Barton then saw the game out really well to extend their unbeaten run to 5 games and go back to the top of the league with a game in hand.