BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS v LEEDS CARNEGIE
26/09/09

MATCH REPORT
BARTON TOWN OLD BOYS 1 - 2 LEEDS CARNEGIE

Lee Moulds ( 2 )


Attendance 73.

Barton Town Old Boys' poor start to the season continued as a 90th minute winner from Andrew Cooper sealed, cruelly but deservedly, all three points for Leeds Carnegie. A much-changed Town side made the perfect start, taking the lead within two minutes. After Shaun Day had won a corner, Sam Brooks' flighted delivery was not dealt with by a hesitant Carnegie defence and Lee MOULDS was on hand to crash the ball into the net from a few yards out.

It had been a bright start and Barton had a good chance to double their advantage just a few minutes later. Gareth Barlow did well to hussle a Carnegie defender off the ball but slightly delayed his square-ball to the supporting Brooks and the chance was lost. The muscular Lee Moulds was causing the visitors problems in the early stages, forcing a number of corners, but without reward and Leeds' more patient passing game began to get them back into the game. And it paid off in the 18th minute, a break down Town's left saw the ball delivered into the area and, as it eluded the Barton defence, Andrew Cooper was able to turn well and fire into the top corner beyond keeper, Tom Nicholson, for a good finish. Town responded, a great Day chip picking out the run of Lee Moulds who was crowded out on the edge of the box before he tested Jacob Giles in the Carnegie goal. Barton then lost Scott McKay to injury, Declan Marshall, promoted from the Under 19's, coming on for his debut on the right side of midfield, Brooks moving to a more central role, alongside Dave Moulds.

Top scorer Barlow then had a couple of chances. First, a long Craig Suddaby ball bounced up kindly for the striker, but his rushed, miscued effort rolled tamely into the hands of Giles. Minutes later, Barlow made room for himself on the left-hand side of the Carnegie area but fired straight into Giles' midriff. The half ended with Leeds' Joe Rossiter volleying a corner well over when he might have done better but the visitors began the second half in the ascendency, Cooper firing over when very well placed before Chib Chilaka brought out the best in Nicholson, the Town keeper showing a strong arm to turn away the ex. Bridlington Town striker's powerful near-post pile-driver.

The second half was nearly all Leeds Carnegie as a generally inexperienced Swans side dug in. Town rode their luck as first a certain-looking penalty appeal was turned away by the referee, who was well-placed and only a fantastic last-minute recovering tackle by Ricky Foster prevented an odds-on goal. Just as it looked as if Town were going to gain a valuable, albeit unlikely point, up popped Cooper in the last minute, cutting in from the Carnegie left to fire into the top corner with Nicholson unable to do anything about an excellent finish. Town made one last frantic effort to respond, Marshall's audacious long-range lob almost catching Giles unawares before, in the closing seconds, Barlow's back-header was knocked on in turn by Suddaby, now playing as an extra striker, the ball bouncing to Day at the back post who was unable to keep the ball down, firing high over Giles' goal from a few yards out.

The defeat leaves Barton with just three points from four league games played and although it is too early to talk of a crisis, it's painfully obvious that Town need to get their “ big hitters “ back from injury and suspension much sooner rather than later if the Old Boys are to have any chance at all of being in the promotion mix come the end of the season. Town are in President's Cup action on Tuesday night at Staveley Miners Welfare before returning to league duties next Saturday at Glasshoughton Welfare.

The next football at Marsh Lane is on Thursday night when Town's Under 19's host Altofts F.C. in the Northern Alliance League ( kick off 7.45pm ).

TEAM: Nicholson; S.Thompson, Foster, Suddaby, Masterton; Brooks, McKay ( Marshall ), D.Moulds ( J.Thompson ), Day; Barlow, L.Moulds. Sub ( not used ) Stead.