Swans comeback from two goals down to defeat Thackley

Barton Town rallied and came back from two goals down to defeat Thackley in a close game at the Easy Buy Stadium.

Jon Oglesby gave the Swans the lead early in the game before Joe Mitchell and Tom Greaves put the visitors ahead after half an hour. Aidan Chippendale added to Thackley’s lead early in the second half before a brace from Tom Waudby pulled the Swans level. Nathan Hotte’s header ten minutes from time secured the three points for the Swans.

There was a place on the bench for Reserves defender Matt Clayton following impressive performances for the Reserves this season. Tom Davie was suspended for the game with Ben Hinchliffe and Grant Tait both out injured.

It took just seven minutes for the Swans to take the lead. A long ball over the top found Jon Oglesby in space on the left. He ran in on goal and slotted it under the goalkeeper to score his first goal for the club.

After the goal Thackley woke up and started to pile on the pressure. Some neat one touch football resulted in Aidan Chippendale shooting over the bar from close range. Tom Greaves then forced an excellent save out of Ryan Musselwhite with an excellent header.

20 minutes in and Thackley had their reward. A corner in wasn’t cleared properly and the ball fell to Joe Mitchell on the edge of the area. He struck and it bounced in off the crossbar to bring the visitors level.

The Swans hadn’t rallied from the first goal when Thackley scored another. A through ball split the Swans defence and the ball fell to Greaves. The veteran striker made no mistake as he slotted it under Musselwhite and into the bottom corner.

Barton had a couple of chances before the break, with Oglesby crossing the ball in, but it almost sailed into the top corner. It went just wide for the Swans winger. Sam Cable then had a chance on the edge of the box as he unleashed a powerful strike. It went over and wide and the Swans were behind at the break.

Three minutes into the second half Scott Matthews was struggling with a leg injury. He was replaced by Matt Clayton, making his senior debut for the club.

Moments later Thackley added to their lead. Chippendale with a nice finish to put Thackley 3-1 ahead.

The Swans had a penalty shout which was waved away by the referee following a suspected handball in the area. Soon after Barton pulled one back to make things interesting.

Will Waudby burst forward from the left before swinging a ball over to brother Tom. The winger rose high and headed past the keeper to bring the score back to 3-2.

Tom almost scored again five minutes later when Clayton played in a fantastic cross, which Waudby headed. The ball was heading into the top corner before the Thackley ‘keeper pulled off a remarkable save.

15 minutes to go and the Swans have a corner on the right, the corner was floated to the near post and Tom Waudby rose high with a bullet header to bring the Swans level and back from a two goal deficit.

Barton were well and truly in the ascendancy, and were hunting the winner. The Swans won another corner, this time on the left. Swans captain Nathan Hotte headed it past the goalkeeper to score his first for the club and put Barton ahead.

Tom Waudby had a chance to score his second hat-trick of the season as he was two on one with Oglesby. Oglesby squared it to Waudby but he scuffed the shot, with it rolling into the hands of a grateful Thackley keeper.

The Swans held on to secure an impressive win over a side that were strong in periods but couldn’t hold on to their lead.