Last gasp equaliser denies Swans win in game of two halves

A last gasp equaliser denied Barton Town all three points in the Lincolnshire derby at Bottesford Town.

Iwan Heeley’s penalty and Will Waudby’s strike put the Swans two up at the break. Matt Broadley scored moments after the restart and with the Swans holding on, Reece Moody struck deep in stoppage time to secure a point for the hosts.

There were three changes to the side which defeated Tadcaster Albion last time out. Harrison Coley was dropped while Fraser Papprill was unavailable and Tom Waudby suspended. Matt Clayton, Brooklyn Dennis and Tom Davie came in. There was a place on the bench for Harry Burnett-Haynes of the reserves.

It was a cagey opening ten minutes, with Bottesford carving out some half chances. 11 minutes in and Craig King was played in, before being brought down by Charlie Dunkerley in the area. The referee pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Iwan Heeley to score his first goal for the club since signing from Selby in October. A well taken spot kick to put the Swans in front.

Dennis almost doubled Barton’s lead a couple of minutes later when the ball was played to him in the area. He turned and shot at Quibell but the Bottesford ‘keeper pulled off a good save.

Bottesford were still looking dangerous, and trying to create opportunities on the wings. Midway through the half the Swans found themselves two up. Will Waudby burst down the left and spotted a gap between Quibell and the post. He unleashed a quality strike which bounced in off the bar to give Barton a two goal lead.

Moments before the break a miscommunication between the Swans defence saw a long ball bounce over both defenders and a grateful Josh Fraiwald ran onto it. An excellent last ditch tackle from the recovering defence saw it out for a corner. Bottesford’s best chance of the half.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were pivotal, if Bottesford got a goal it would make Barton’s afternoon much harder, and that it did.

A free kick from the right wasn’t dealt with and fell into the path of Matt Boradley. The winger prodded it past Ryan Musselwhite and into the back of the net just two minutes after the restart.

With 20 minutes to go Bottesford were on top, and were the stronger side. Reece Moody had a strike saved well by Musselwhite before former Swan Eddie Rogerson saw his shot wide.

It was wave after wave of Bottesford pressure, the Swans looking to hold on. But the hosts got their reward for their perseverance. After failing to clear a ball on the right. It was won back by Bottesford, who played in Moody. He struck low past Musselwhite into the bottom corner to secure a point.

On the balance of play it was deserved, with both sides taking a point away.