Swans at the summit after win over Goole AFC

Barton Town hit the top of the NCEL Premier Division table with a 4-1 win over Goole AFC. A closely fought game saw the Swans finish off their chances, Harrison Coley and Tom Waudby put the Swans ahead at the break. A Callum Petch goal ten minutes from time set up a nervy finish before substitute Will Waudby scored a late double to seal the win.

Josh Lacey made his 100th appearance for the Swans, captaining the side with Sam Cable returning from suspension. Fraser Papprill was unavailable and Nathan Hotte wasn’t risked after coming off last week with a hamstring issue.

The Swans started well, with plenty of good possession, and took the lead after ten minutes. Tom Waudby charged down a clearance from the Goole defence and won the ball. He squared it across the face of goal, Cable missed the ball but Harrison Coley was there to tap in at the back post.

The goal only seemed to galvanise Goole, who started to put pressure on the Swans. The Vikings had a few half chances, nothing too tricky for Ryan Musselwhite to deal with. Midway through the half came their best chance so far when a free kick on the edge of the box went just over the bar.

A second goal of the game came, but arguably against the run of play as the Swans hit Goole on the counter, with Tom Waudby bearing down on goal before slotting it into the bottom corner for his 11th goal of the season.

It was almost three just before the break when Cable was played in one on one. However goalkeeper Jody Barford pulled off a good save to deny the Swans striker, playing against his former club.

The Swans were ahead at the break, but had been under pressure for most of the half, taking their chances when presented. Goole had plenty of chances to get back into the game but couldn’t get their shots on target.

Ten minutes into the half Cable was brought off for Will Waudby, with the Swans striker having not started a game in nearly a month his fitness wasn’t risked. On the hour mark he nearly scored when he ran onto a long through ball, but Barford came out and got the ball before Waudby could.

20 minutes to go and the Swans had a free kick in a promising position. Coley floated it in and Tom Waudby’s header was just wide of the near post.

The hosts were still in the game and creating chances, and they finally took one when Callum Petch curled a shot in from the edge of the box, with it going in off the post. Setting up a tense finish for the Swans, or so they thought.

Three minutes before the end, Will Waudby got the ball on the left, he cut onto his favoured left foot and lashed a shot at goal. The ball slid under Barford and into the back of the net to restore Barton’s two goal cushion.

In second half stoppage time another long ball over the top was ran onto by Will Waudby. He ran in on goal before prodding it past Barford in an excellent finish. Scoring his second of the game and securing an important win for the Swans.

The scoreline was perhaps flattering for the Swans, but they’d taken their chances when presented and secured a big three points.