Swans defeated by Resilient Maltby Main

Barton Town fell to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of basement side Maltby Main at Muglet Lane.

The hosts took the lead through Jordan Lonchar just before the half-hour mark, and despite the Swans having the better of the chances in the second half, they couldn’t find an equaliser. Two late goals from Nathan Perks and Harry Spooner secured the win for Main, with the scoreline flattering the hosts.

There were two changes from the side that lost to Albion Sports a fortnight ago. James Playford and Henry Cook came in for Craig King and Tom Davie.

Before the game there was a minute’s applause for former NCEL Chairman David Morrall who sadly passed away recently. A fine servant to the league and the sport.

The early phases didn’t have much in the way of action, with the ball going up either end with not a lot of end product on show. It took until the 27^th minute for a decent chance, which resulted in the opening goal of the game.

A through ball wasn’t dealt with by the Swans defence, with ‘keeper Ryan Musselwhite hesitating before clearing the ball to Jordan Lonchar who lobbed the ball into an empty net to put Main in front.

Soon after the Swans were forced into an early change as Owen Davey limped off with Matt Clayton taking his place.

Just before the break Maltby were down to ten men when a reckless challenge from Oliver Currie caught Clayton. The referee issuing a red card with Tom Waudby booked for retaliation.

The second half saw the Swans come out fighting, ten minutes after the restart Will Waudby hit a strike from distance but the ball bobbled as he hit it, sending it over the bar.

On the hour mark Will Waudby sent in a corner which met Fraser Papprill on the back post unmarked. He headed it back across goal and Tom Waudby’s header went just over from six yards out.

Maltby goalkeeper Louis Hood kept the home side in the lead with a string of excellent saves. Tom Waudby again having a golden chance to equalise when his shot curled just wide of the post.

The hosts put some breathing space between the two sides when Nathan Perks received the ball on the left, before cutting inside and slotting it under Musselwhite to double Maltby’s lead and almost certainly condemn the Swans to another point-less game.

Despite Barton’s best efforts it was three soon after. A through ball looked innocuous enough, but Musselwhite hesitated again, allowing Harry Spooner to run onto the ball, round the Swans ‘keeper, and tap into an empty net.

A 3-0 loss, with Maltby taking their first win in 15 games, having draw one and lost 13 before today.