Swans rescue point with late equaliser

Barton Town profited from a wasteful Handsworth side to secure a late point thanks to Tom Waudby’s late equaliser at the Express Worktops Stadium.

The Swans had a few chances but Handsworth’s second half onslaught was well managed by the Barton defence. Mitch Dunne put the hosts ahead soon before the end with a deserved goal, but Waudby’s late strike ensured a point for Danny North’s side.

There were two changes to the side that defeated Tadcaster two weeks ago. James Playford (injured) and Iwan Heeley (unavailable) were out, with Henry Cook and Jack Tanser replacing them. The latter making his second debut for the club. Reserves player Joel Chapman made the bench.

The all-weather surface saw some fast-paced football throughout, with Handsworth carving out the first chance of the game after nine minutes. A cross from Mitch Dunne saw Ambers striker Shaun Tuton just miss the ball at the back post. A golden opportunity for the hosts.

A couple minutes later it was Barton’s chance, as a great cross field ball found Tom Waudby who ran in on goal but dragged his shot wide of the goal.

Handsworth continued to fashion chances, with Tuton trying a lob and Dunne having a couple of efforts blocked. The Swans defence and Ryan Musselwhite in goal standing firm to deny the hosts who’d come out fighting.

Ten minutes before the break Handsworth defender Matt Reay cleared the ball with Henry Cook looking to charge it down. Reay caught Cook in his follow through with the Swans midfielder going down injured. Matt Clayton came on for Cook in an unfamiliar midfield role but played well. Reay was booked for the challenge.

The sides went in level at the break but it was a closely fought affair. Both sides had one golden chance apiece with Handsworth showing they were dangerous.

Moments after the restart Tom Bishop’s shot brushed the top of the crossbar for Handsworth but the Swans had an even better chance soon after.

Craig King worked hard down the left to keep the ball in and run down the byline. He squared it across the face of goal and Sam Cable prodded the effort wide from six yards out. A real opportunity missed for the Swans to take the lead.

Just before the hour mark Tom Waudby was booked for a similar incident to Reay/Cook in the first half. He caught the Handsworth defender when charging down the ball, the referee had set a precedent in the first half with booking Reay so had to book Waudby too.

Tuton was next to test the Swans goal when he hit a powerful strike destined for the bottom corner, but Musselwhite got down well to push the ball away and out for a corner.

Joel Chapman and Pete Winn were introduced from the bench in place of Jack Tanser and Sam Cable with 25 minutes to go.

Soon after an excellent cross into the Swans box was met by the head of Henry Carne who couldn’t capitalise and headed it over the bar.

Alfie Dodsworth had a couple of chances for the hosts as well as Tom Cropper having a go. The Swans goal living a charmed life at times with Barton under siege. But it wouldn’t last forever, as the barricades finally gave in.

Seconds after a Handsworth counter attack saw them three on two with the Swans defence, in which the chance was saved, there was another chance.

A header from Handsworth skipper Dunne went in off the bar and gave the hosts an arguably deserved lead. Barton had defended well but the Swans’ resolve was finally broken.

Leon Howarth almost doubled their lead with a strike hitting the post, but deep into added time, they’d be punished for not taking their chances, and the Swans given a reward for their perseverence.

Joel Chapman won the ball on the left and after turning his defender, managed to square the ball across the box. Who better for it to fall to than Tom Waudby, who powered his strike into the back of the net for his 18th goal of the season, and another equaliser in added time.

A real gut punch for the hosts, who had the better of the chances, but the Swans earned the point through hard work, a strong and resolute defensive display, and an in-form striker.