BRIGHOUSE TOWN v BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS
14/11/09

BRIGHOUSE TOWN 4 - 0 BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS
Attendance 68

Barton Town Old Boys were on the wrong end of a four goal thumping at Brighouse Town and can have no complaints, an abject first half performance meriting nothing less.

On a heavy pitch passed fit only in the morning, all Town's habitual frailties came to the fore as they found themselves three goals down after just over half an hour's play.

Barton were on the back foot from the off, only superb recoveries by Karl Hull and Lee Markham in the opening stages keeping Brighouse at bay as the home team forced a number of corners but without making the early breakthrough.

That changed in the 16th minute as skipper, Andy Markham volleyed home well after a long free kick had been headed back into his path. Lee Burgess had already gone close twice for the home side when he made it third time lucky in the 30th minute, getting an outstretched leg onto a ball whipped in low from the right flank. And Burgess made it three just six minutes later, tapping the ball home after a spell of pinball in the Barton six yard box following another Brighouse corner.

After such an awful first 45 minutes, the second half had to be an improvement, and it was, Rob Northen just failing to get on the end of a Ryan Morton cross as it flashed across the goal and Brighouse keeper, Lee Williams easily gathering a Gareth Barlow header as Town tried, albeit in vain, to find a way back into a match lost in effect in the first half.

Northen, who worked his socks off throughout, then got away down the left flank, but his pass into the area just eluded the supporting Barlow as Williams managed to dive on the loose ball before Hayden Barnett headed another Morton delivery well wide.

Northen then saw a well-struck effort deflected wide before Williams acrobatically tipped another Northen effort over the bar during Town's most sustained spell of pressure in the game.

Brighouse remained very dangerous every time they went forward however and it was no real surprise when substitute, Lee Malcher rose highest at the far post to head home in the dying minutes of a game Barton will want to forget all about as soon as possible.

Town have an immediate opportunity to bounce back when they make the awkward trip to Rossington Main on Tuesday night before entertaining local rivals, Grimsby Borough in what has all the hallmarks of being a very early " six pointer ", at Marsh Lane on Saturday ( kick off 3pm ).

Prior to that, Barton's Under 19's are at home to Hemsworth Miners Welfare this Thursday in the Northern Alliance ( kick off 7.45pm ).

TEAM: Nicholson; Markham ( Mitchell ), Hull, Suddaby, Masterton; Morton ( Marshall ), Barnett, D.Moulds, Day; Barlow, Northen. Sub ( not used ) Stead.