Swans out of League Cup after tough Frickley loss
11th January 2024| Barton Town | 0-1 | Frickley Athletic |
| Att: 111 | Keita 78 |
Barton Town are out of the NCEL League Cup after being defeated by Frickley Athletic in the third round at the Easy Buy Stadium.
The game was cagey, with both sides fighting for a goal, with Alhassane Keita scoring the winner with just 12 minutes to go. Try as they might the Swans couldn’t find a goal.
| # | Player |
| 1 | Ryan Musselwhite |
| 2 | Clark Greaves |
| 3 | Matt Clayton |
| 4 | Owen Davey 🔻87′ |
| 5 | Tom Davie |
| 6 | Josh Lacey |
| 7 | Tom Waudby (c) 🟡 |
| 8 | Iwan Heeley |
| 9 | Sam Cable 🔻72′ |
| 10 | Craig King |
| 11 | Harrison Coley 🟡 |
| 14 | Kian Salter |
| 15 | Will Waudby 🔺72′ |
| 16 | James Playford |
| 17 | Pete Winn |
| 18 | Jack Tanser 🔺87′ |
There were four changes to the side that drew with Bottesford Town. Josh Smaller and Brooklyn Dennis were unavailable while Will Waudby and James Playford were dropped to the bench. In came Josh Lacey, Sam Cable, Harrison Coley, and Tom Waudby, fresh from his one game ban. Ryan Musselwhite made his 50th appearance for the club.
It was an end to end half, with both sides enjoying plenty of possession but not carving out many gilt edged chances. Frickley came close when an excellent save from Musselwhite saw an effort tipped onto the bar and away.
The Swans had the best chance of the half when an excellent through ball saw Tom Waudby run in one on one. The forward tried to round Callum Bradbury in the Frickley goal but the ‘keeper pulled off a good save to deny Waudby.
The prolific forward then had an another chance just before the break when he stung the palms of Bradbury who pulled off another good save.
The second half was more of the same, bitterly cold and only half chances being fashioned. The Swans were attacking and putting the effort in, but just couldn’t find that killer final ball to put it in the net. Frickley doing exactly the same, as this arm wrestle would be settled by one goal, and on 78 minutes, it was.
Moments before Musselwhite saved a free kick which was destined for the net, resulting in a corner. The corner was played in and a flicked on header fell to Alhassane Keita who prodded it past Musselwhite to put the visitors in front.
The Swans fought and fought to find the equalizer which would send the game to penalties, but try as they might they just couldn’t do it, and Frickley would advance to the next round. This means the Swans have only the league now to focus on, and hopefully progression up the table.
