Swans defeated at table-topping Emley

Barton Town were defeated by table-topping Emley AFC at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground.

The hosts raced into the lead with a goal from Reuben Jerome after 11 minutes. It was two soon after with Paul Walker doubling the lead with just 20 minutes on the clock. Alex Metcalfe scored soon before the break to all but confirm the result. The Swans pulled one back through Reece Moody but the damage was already done.

New signing Dave Birch came in for the departed Ryan Musselwhite. Tom Davie and Craig King returned to the side while Matt Clayton dropped to the bench and Fraser Papprill was unavailable. Tom Waudby served the final game of his suspension.

The Swans were given an early indication of things to come when James Walshaw almost lobbed Birch after just five minutes. The ball rolling the wrong side of the post as the score remained goalless.

There was a brief period of pressure from the Swans with some play deep in the Emley half. Unfortunately nothing came of it, and within moments Barton were behind. Some good work down the wing from Iyrwah Gooden found Jerome at the back post, and the league top scorer wasted no time in slotting in his 32nd goal of the season.

There was a good save from Birch to deny a second goal moments later but the tide was in the hosts’ favour. With 19 minutes on the clock it was two. A ball was squared in from the right and Paul Walker put the ball in the back of the net to double Emley’s lead and add to Barton’s uphill task.

As the half went on, Emley were showing their dominance, with Gooden almost scoring with a venomous effort which thankfully went wide. The Swans were fighting to get back into it and showing plenty of endeavour, but Emley are top of the table for a reason. It was three soon before the break.

The ball found Alex Metcalfe 20 yards from goal. He shot low and it rolled past Birch into the bottom left corner with an excellent finish. Emley nearly added a fourth before the half-time whistle but Birch again with a good save.

Barton, now playing for pride, almost scored moments after the restart when Reece Moody played a ball in for Henry Cook who was waiting in the area. But the ball was just over his head and the chance went begging.

A couple of moments later Craig King worked down the left and burst forward. He crossed it in for Harrison Coley but his effort was saved by the Emley goalkeeper.

With 20 minutes to go Joel Chapman was introduced from the bench and the reserves winger made an instant impact. He ran onto a through ball on the right and crossed it in. It was met at the back post by King who headed it into the path of Moody. He took a touch and rolled it into the bottom corner for his third goal in two appearances.

Iwan Heeley almost added another when Chapman laid it off to Coley who crossed it in for the Swans midfielder. His header was just wide.

In stoppage time Emley were awarded a penalty when Will Waudby denied a goal-scoring opportunity. Up stepped Nathan Curtis but Birch pulled off an excellent save. Diving to his right to deny a fourth for the hosts.

A 3-1 defeat, but a stronger second half, Moody continued his good form, and an impressive debut from Birch in goal.

Photography: Trevor Richens