Barton Town v Beverley Town – 10 August 2024

Match Sponsor – Hull City Ladies

Attendance: 307

Barton Town line up:
Hitchcock, Thompson, W Waudby, King, Wressell, Bulless, T Waudby, Norfolk (C), Phillips, Tait, Aydemir

Barton Town Subs:
Pulford, Boyd, Barkworth, Moody, Heeley

The Swans were back in NCEFL Premier Division action at home once again after the mid-week game away at Handsworth was postponed due to the Sheffield side drawing their home FA Cup tie against South Liverpool.

Barton Town welcomed Beverley Town for a match that had been eagerly anticipated by both teams. Not only a local derby but with players from Barton Town swapping allegiance to Beverley Town during the 2023-24 season, and Anthony Bowsley taking over the reins at Barton Town after 18 months as coach with The Beavers there was perhaps some extra “spice” about the game.

Perhaps a indicator for how Beverley’s luck might go was when James Piercy had to go off for some treatment after just eight minutes of play. That was his afternoon over as Luka Suluburic was quickly brought on in his place.

Barton were clearly looking to get an early goal and forced several corners in quick succession butit was the visitors that almost took the lead on 20′ when the ball beat James Hitchcock but struck the underside of the crossbar… and bounced out! Beack down in the Beverley box the ball comes to Scott Phillips, who turns and strikes straight at the Beverley keeper.

After the first 15′ or so of seemingly “tentative”play, the match really came alive with some end-to-end physical play. With both teams have chances to score – Ali Aydemir looking to have broken through but thwarted by the keeper, and a possible penalty not given for handball for The Swans – the half-time break at 45’+5′ had a 0-0 scoreline.

The Swans were back out for the restart early and ready to get started. Recently games have seen the team get off to a “slow” start after the break but it was all change as a free kick just outside the Beverley box saw Grant Tait put the home side ahead – shortly “celebrated?” by some random music over the PA system.

The game took a another adverse turn for Beverley Town on 75′ when a 50/50 challenge involving Tom Waudby and Kian Larkin resulted in Larkin being shown the red card. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t go down well with the visiting supporters nor the Beverley dugout.

“Common knowledge” is that it’s more difficult to play against ten men and for a while it proved that way but on 81′ Tom Waudby found space to get his first of the season and put the some side two goals clear.

With just 3′ left to play Tom Waudby found the net once again to secure the win and three points.
However, with added time to play at 90’+3′ Beverley found the net to pull one back.

Final Score: Barton Town 3 Beverley Town 1