BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS 3
ROSSINGTON MAIN 0

06-02-10

Ryan Morton ( 45 + 2 )
Lee Shilleto ( 60 )
Gareth Barlow ( 84 )

Attendance 84



A Ryan Morton goal on the cusp of half-time served as the catalyst for a strong second half showing by the " new " Old Boys, a memorable debut goal by Lee Shilleto and a typical Gareth Barlow goal rounding off an encouraging home start for Barton's new management team of Dave Anderson and Mally Parker.

But it could have been different. As early as inside the first minute, Main's Shaun Pendleton's free-kick from the left caught the Town defence cold with keeper, Dave Bramley having to save well from the resultant free header.

Suitably warned, Town responded, Ryan Morton and Adam Crane winning a series of corners in quick succession, but without unduly worrying Main keeper, Lee Appleby and the visitors' defence.

And despite the early Barton pressure, it was again Main who had the best chance to open the scoring in the 22nd minute. Another pin-point free-kick by Pendleton picked out the head of Liam Charlton who should have done better than head over from close range.

Once more, Town responded, again winning a number of corners but again without troubling Appleby. With the corner count in double figures and the referee adding time on at the end of the first half, Barton made the breakthrough. Following a burst down the left, the ball was switched to MORTON on the right-hand edge of the area who, shaping to shoot with his right foot, beat his marker by coming inside to power home left-footed beyond a helpless Appleby.

It was just the tonic Barton needed to overcome their nerves and the second half saw The Swans take the upper hand. A 56th minute Morton free-kick was mis-handled by Appleby, Kallum Radley's volley appeared to be goal-bound before brushing a team-mate to fly inches wide before the all-important second goal arrived just four minutes later. With play stopped for another Barton free-kick, substitute Lee Shilleto came on for the un-well Pat Masterton and promptly made his way into the Rossington Main area. Morton's typically accurate ball to the near-post was then powerfully headed home by the unmarked SHILLETO to score with his very first touch in Town colours!

It was then Gareth Barlow's turn to take centre-stage. Still nursing a niggling groin injury, Town's top scorer was brought off the bench for the last 20 minutes. After being crowded out on the edge of the Main area with his first touch of the game, BARLOW made amends in the 84th minute, finishing with typical aplomb following unselfish work by Matty Fyvie on the right flank. The goal marked Gareth's 150th in Town colours. Here's to the next 150!

There was still time for Shilleto to fire narrowly over the angle after further great work by Fyvie as Town continued to dominate the second period, before the referee brought an end to proceedings.

Both Town's management and players will have been pleased to have got the win under their belts against a Rossington Main side who put four past high-flying Staveley Miners Welfare just last Saturday.

But bigger tests lie in wait. After Tuesday night's home game with Pontefract Collieries ( kick off 7.45pm ), Barton make the short trip to Bottesford Town next Saturday. Sandwiched between, the Under 19's entertain Brodsworth Welfare at The Euronics Ground on Thursday in the Northern Alliance League ( kick off 7.45pm ).

TEAM: Bramley; Garth, McKay, Radley, Masterton ( Shilleto ); Morton ( Day ), Bagshaw, Gordon, Crane; Fyvie, Laud ( Barlow ).