Barton Town Old Boys 1-3 Reserves

Lincolnshire League

Report by Colin Woodcock

United's second string recorded their best win of the season against Barton Town, last year's runner's up and the previous years champions. Few teams emerge from Barton with much to show, so manager John Luffman was deservedly upbeat about his team's performance after a poor showing in midweek which saw them lose their 100% record with a draw at York Street against Sleaford Town. The team included Martin Hardy and much to everyone's surprise, a rejuvenated Chris Cook! Star of the show was undoubtedly keeper Nick Maddison, who saved a Paul Smaller penalty after only ten minutes and then pulled off two magnificent saves midway through the half to keep United in the game as Barton pressed forward. However, United's defence, marshalled by Hardy, stood firm and with a minute to go United took the lead when MELSON scored after good play by Markham and Thornton put him through.

This spurred United on and they had further chances to go ahead, firstly when Sedlam put his cross from the byeline out of play with Neil Timby stood completely unmarked only six yards out and then when the latter headed over with Cook better placed behind him. A second goal did follow when Ryan COLLINGWOOD cooly slotted the ball home on seventy minutes. This saw Barton bring on an extra forward in an attempt to get back in the game which they did five minutes later. Manager Luffman immediately introduced defender Gary Pawson and United held firm with substitute Anthony ELDING, on for a tiring Chris Cook, scored a third goal deep into injury time.

United team: 1. Nick Maddison, 2. Martin Hardy, 3. Ricky Southwell, 4. Dean Thornton, 5. Danny Seager, 6. Jason Sedlam, 7. Mark Melson, 8. Andrew Markham, 9. Chris Cook, 10. Neil Timby, 11. Ryan Collingwood, 12. Anthony Elding, 14. Philip Snell, 15. Gary Pawson