Swans draw with Bottesford in tightly contested game

Barton Town and local neighbours Bottesford Town played out a 2-2 draw at the Easy Buy Stadium.

Ryan King gave the visitors the lead from a free kick before Tom Waudby marked his 200th appearance with a goal. Former Scunthorpe United player Cliff Byrne scored the second for the Poachers before Henry Cook saved the Swans’ blushes with a last minute header. Both sides ended the game with ten men with Ryan Musselwhite and Jonathan Nyanton being sent off.

New signing Johnathan Oglesby was drafted in to start with Sam Cable missing the game. Tom Davie was brought in in place of Henry Cook.

The first half was very end to end, with not much in the way of action. After 15 minutes the first goal of the game went in. A free kick from the left from distance was swung into the area, the ball sailed through the group of players, evaded Musselwhite and ended up in the back of the net. Ryan King being credited with the goal.

The Swans started to fight back after the goal, with Ben Hinchliffe’s speculative shot from distance forcing an excellent save out of Jordan Quibell. From the resulting corner Quibell saved again at point blank range from Tom Waudby’s header.

Josh Lacey showed his potential as a winger as he burst forward down the right hand side and crossed to Oglesby in the area, with his shot being blocked.

The second half began much like the first, with both sides trying to get control of possession and a foothold on the game. Ten minutes into the second half and Bottesford were played in on goal. The bouncing ball was contested by Musselwhite and the Poachers attacker, with the Swans goalkeeper wiping him out. The referee showing a red card.

Danny North went in goal for the Swans and pulled off an excellent save from the resulting freekick.

Moments later Bottesford’s Jonathan Nyanton was shown a second yellow card for a foul and both sides now had ten men.

Just after the hour mark, Tom Waudby, celebrating his 200th Barton Town appearance, was played in. Things were made easier for him when his defender slipped, leaving the winger to poke the ball under Quibell to level for the Swans.

Henry Cook was introduced with 15 minutes to go to freshen up the midfield and give us an edge in the middle. But it was Bottesford’s number four who restored their lead.

Playing 266 games for Scunthorpe United between 2003 and 2012, 40 year old Cliff Byrne volleyed with style from a corner to put Bottesford back in front. A cultured finish from a classy player.

The Swans pushed and pushed for an equalizer, with Tom Waudby and Hinchliffe both denied by Quibell. A last minute cross came in which Henry Cook headed into the back of the net to score his first goal for the club when they really needed it.

The points were shared in a well contested Lincolnshire derby.