Swans lack cutting edge in defeat to clinical North Ferriby

Barton Town came up short against league leaders North Ferriby on a drizzly night at the Easy Buy Stadium.

An early Danny Buttle goal set the tone, with the Swans enjoying large spells of possession, especially in the second half, but lacking that cutting edge in the final third against a resilient Ferriby side. An Amir Berchil solo effort soon before the end sealed the win for the visitors.

Charlie Dixon returned in goal in place of the suspended Ryan Musselwhite, with Tom Davie starting and Will Waudby relegated to the bench.

An uneventful first half saw the visitors take the lead after ten minutes. A corner was floated in and Danny Buttle was given a free header to nod it past Dixon and into the back of the net. An uphill start for the Swans.

Barton began to grow into the game, and were finding their feet against a very strong side. Midway through the first half some neat one-touch football from the Swans saw Harrison Coley played in. He took a touch and his shot was blocked and out for a corner.

Just before the break Fraser Papprill went down injured. Unable to continue he made way for Will Waudby.

On the stroke of half time the Swans had a corner. Scott Matthews floated it in and the ball was in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for a foul on Lewis Exall in the Ferriby goal.

Another injury issue at half time as Ben Hinchliffe limped off with a hamstring issue. Sam Cable replacing him for the second half.

The second half saw the Swans knocking on the door throughout. Enjoying large spells of pressure and possession but not quite being able to do anything with it. Ferriby sat deep and looked to hit on the counter.

Second half substitute Danny North saw an effort tipped onto the post by Exall in the closest the Swans came to getting on the scoresheet in the second period.

With seven minutes to go Amir Berchil went on a mazing solo run for Ferriby. He cut through the Swans defence and skewed his shot wide. A sign of things to come from the Villagers winger.

Two minutes later he made the Swans pay, doing the same thing but this time slotting it into the bottom right corner to seal the three points for the visiting side.