Match Action – Reserves 3-0 Chalk Lane

Report by Liam Graham, Photography by Aaron Irwin

The Reserves were back in midweek action under the lights at The Easy Buy Stadium as the return of football continued with 2 time and back to back Humber Premier League champions Chalk Lane visiting. Unfortunately this again was played behind closed doors. With the hope next Wednesday we can allow spectators in for their football fix..

Barton rang the changes from Saturday’s line up with Jake Harris returning in goal, Harry Finnis returning to replace brother Jack and a full debut for 17 year old Lucas Robinson.

Chalk lined up with the player-manager and vastly experienced Phil Dobson in goal with a youthful looking side led by the experience of Griffin and Sedman.

Both sides started brightly and the tempo of the game was set early doors, with Harry Finnis travelling into dangerous areas on a couple of occasions but just lacking the final ball into the box.

Larkin, was getting plenty of the ball in the midfield but the trio of Start, Whall and Cooper were breaking up the play well in midfield. The latter was substituted in the 26th minute replaced by 16 year old Jake Forman who impressed.

Barton were growing in confidence and Finnis again burst past his man this time delivering but Salter’s effort was at Keeper Dobson.

Chalk had limited chances but when they did find their way into the Barton final third, Kershaw and Bryant were quickly about their business to tidy up.

Unlike the previous game, it was Barton who broke the deadlock just before the break, when in the 41st minute Lacey found Finnis who sought out Salter’s run wide then his cross was met by Lucas Robinson who found himself in the 6 yard box to blast home from close range and get his first goal in a Barton shirt.

Chalk made a change at the break as one experienced ‘keeper was replaced by another in the form of Jody Barford who would be a thorn in the reserves second half efforts.

Barton came out the blocks well, and created a succession of quick chances. Firstly Finnis broke through and found himself in a decent shooting position but his effort was well saved by Barford low to his right.

Then Whall missed a glorious opportunity to double the Swans lead when he was clear with just Barford to beat his effort was straight at the ‘keeper who saved well.

Chalk Lane then had a couple of attacks of their own they could and maybe should have done better with as they broke down the right and into the box. The Chalk man had options available but opted to try and beat Harris at his near post, but he saved well to keep it at 1-0.

Herrick, Needham and Everitt and Goluch all entered the fray over a 15 min period and added fresh legs to an increasing pace to the game. One you felt Barton May rue their missed chances if Chalk were to score.

However the impact of Needham who was transferred from Sculcoates earlier in the season, was nigh as he set up both the second and third goal with some fine play and delivery into the box.

Firstly in the 84th minute Needham crossed from the left after good work from the hard working Lacey played him in, Herrick met the pending cross on the volley to rocket home past Barford in the Chalk goal to double Barton’s lead and surely secure the 3 points.

The third and final goal of the game was probably the pick of the bunch, as Barton’s build up play to get Needham into a crossing position was sublime and his pinpoint cross was met by Daniel Goluch who volleyed home with the inside of his right boot from 6 yards in the 87th minute to gap of a convincing win that sees The Reserves climb a place to 4th albeit the sides below with games in hand.

Overall a good advertisement for step 7 football and at clinical points in the game it could have gone either way.

Barton now turn their attentions to another league game away at LIV supplies on Saturday.