Swans League Cup defence over at hands of clinical Garforth Town

Barton Town’s NCEL League Cup defence is over at the hands of last season’s beaten finalists Garforth Town. The hosts put on a clinical display to defeat the Swans, and knock them out of the cup.

The depleted Swans started brighter, with Sam Cable scoring after just three minutes. Missed chances in the first 20 minutes came back to haunt Barton as Daniel Coupland equalized after 12 minutes. He then added a second from the penalty spot. James Burgess scored moments later to make it 3-1 to the hosts. Two goals in the first ten minutes of the second half put the game to bed and any hopes of a comeback were soon dashed.

The Swans were missing a host of mainly defensive players. Tom Davie (calf), Fraser Papprill (cup-tied), Nathan Hotte and Jack Tanser (both flu), all were unavailable.

After just three minutes the Swans took the lead. Sam Cable sprung the Garforth offside trap and burst clear onto an excellent through ball. He slotted under Toby Wells to score his second of the season for the club. The home bench and supporters convinced Cable was offside in the buildup.

A few minutes later the home side were level with a goal from nothing. The Swans failed to clear their lines, and Daniel Coupland seized his opportunity. He powered his effort into the top corner with an excellent finish.

Seconds after kick off the Swans broke down the right, with Tom Waudby being fed the ball. He crossed to Cable whose diving header went just wide of the goal. A huge opportunity missed for the Swans.

Ben Hinchliffe then went close for Barton but Wells pulled off the first of a string of excellent saves throughout the night.

Around 25 minutes in Garforth started turning the screw. Ryan Musselwhite misplaced his pass, with James Burgess the grateful recipient. A last-ditch block from Scott Matthews denying the striker. Musselwhite then redeemed himself with an excellent save from the resulting corner.

Seconds later though the hosts were awarded a penalty when Harrison Coley brought down the striker in the area. Up stepped Coupland to put the hosts ahead after sending Musselwhite the wrong way.

On the half-hour mark Garforth added a third. Musselwhite’s clearance falling to a Garforth player who fed Burgess, the accomplished striker slotting in to put the hosts 3-1 up at half time.

There was time for one more Garforth attack, with Burgess’ shot striking the post before being cleared by the Swans.

Three minutes after the break it was four. Some good buildup on the left saw the ball squared across the face of goal and slotted in at the back post by Sam Barker. Moments later Garforth had another. A carbon copy move but it was Burgess this time at the back post to score.

The Swans almost pulled one back when Matthews’ corner was headed by Tom Waudby but it bounced off the crossbar and out for a goal kick. Harrison Coley’s fine strike from the edge of the box was punched clear by Wells.

Barton had a host of chances in the second half, with neither team in the ascendency. Tom Waudby, Hinchliffe, and Cable all going close with chances, but couldn’t find a way back into the game.

A frustrated Swans side out of the League Cup, and the trophy going to someone else in 2023.